Bangkok, Thailand

Another contender for the title of best Chinatown in the world is Bangkok’s Chinatown, which is truly sprawling. This Chinatown is also one of the most vibrant with its day and night markets, street food stalls, delicious smells, and colorful n signs. Originally formed in 1782, making it one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, the entire neighborhood was relocated to Yaowarat Road in the Samphanthawong District where it remains today. Don’t miss Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which houses the world’s largest golden Buddha, weighing in at 5.5 tons.

One of the oldest areas of the city, Bangkok's Chinatown retains narrow lanes of cluttered markets not much changed since its creation. With pungent food stalls and ornate Chinese shrines that are loud, boisterous, and frenzied, this is Bangkok at its visceral best. The beginnings of a real Chinatown came when King Taksin encouraged Teochew laborers and merchants to relocate from southern China in 1767 when he chose Thonburi as his new capital. Chinatown's boundaries now stretch along the Chao Phraya, loosely from the River City shopping complex to the edge of Pahurat Market. Chinatown has been hugely influential in Bangkok's life since the beginning of the city. For a surefire itinerary, follow the crowds lining up for stir-fried crab and sweet-and-sour shrimp at various street stalls; hit up both the day and night markets along Yaowarat Road;...