East Meets West: Bang Rak District Walking Tour in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

Stroll back in time in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok during a 2.5-hour walking tour. Located on the Chao Phraya River, Bang Rak was once a hub for European, Chinese and Muslim traders, who settled there centuries ago. Walk through the communities that developed along Charoen Krung Road, and see historical landmarks like Assumption Cathedral, Old Customs House and the first European embassies. Meet locals at small family-run businesses, and learn about diverse local cultures. Limited to 12 people, this tour provides a small-group experience with a guide.

Meet your guide and small group at the Saphan Taksin skytrain station, and then set off on your walking tour of the historic neighborhood of Bang Rak.

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bang Rak was developed with influences by traders from both the East and West when they started settling here centuries ago. During your tour, your guide shows you where those early settlers put down roots and shares fascinating details that give you a feel for life in old Bangkok.

Walk through an area where Chinese, Thai and Muslim communities coexist, passing by market vendors, shops and restaurants that have been operated by the same families for several generations. Then stroll into the quarter where Portugese traders and other European residents once lived, and hear about their impact on Bangkok. Check out Assumption Cathedral, which was established in the early 1800s and became Thailand’s principal Catholic Church. The Renaissance-style building features Italian marble, French stained glass and arched ceilings decorated with frescoes.

Your guide leads you along Charoen Krung Road, which was constructed in the mid-1800s at the request of foreign consuls, and later became Thailand’s first paved road. See more of the old European quarter, including European embassies and the Old Customs House, built in the 1880s to levy taxes on trade coming in and out of Siam. Nearby, you’ll find the Oriental Hotel, a grand colonial building whose famous guests have included writers such as Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene, as well as many modern-day celebrities.

Expect to walk up to 2.5 miles (4 km) at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stops for photo ops and discussion. Your tour ends at River City Mall, where you can make your own way to your next destination.

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   Razali D,    May 2016
The tour is really of a different from the usual. The guide mr Esso and Ms Tilda really helpful and blend comfortably with us. We walk across the old era of Bangkok started from Bangrak area and.end at pier nearby Sheraton Hotel. Its give many insights of places , culture and religions.

Review by:   Margaret D,    February 2016
An interesting tour to take if you have been to Bangkok before and want to see something different. I enjoyed seeing this old European area of Bangkok. Only problem we had was that it started raining heavily while on the tour--quite unusual for Bangkok in January--but we were able to take cover. I had two tour guides for the tour--the owner of the tour company and a trainee. I was the only one on the tour, so know that this tour does not have a minimum number to go.

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