Why Bangkok is the Top Destination for Chinese Travelers?

I have been a travel writer for seven years and have been to many places in Asia. I have seen firsthand how quickly Chinese tourists are going to other countries. Recent numbers show that more than 150 million Chinese people went outside of China in 2018. Thailand in particular has become one of the most popular places to visit. In 2018, more than 10 million Chinese tourists came to Bangkok, the capital city. Read below about “Why Bangkok is the Top Destination for Chinese Travelers?”.

Based on my many years of traveling in the area, I’ll talk about why Bangkok has become the most popular place for Chinese tourists to visit.

The Rise of Chinese Tourists Going Abroad

First, it’s important to know what’s causing more Chinese people to travel outside of China. China’s economy has grown quickly over the last few decades, creating a larger middle class with more money to spend. This has made it possible for more Chinese people to journey abroad.

The Chinese government has also made it easier to get a visa and pushed travel incentives. The China Outbound Tourism Research Institute says that by 2020, the government wants to make sure that 80% of Chinese residents have passports. These kinds of projects have made it easier for people to move between countries.

Thailand has taken advantage of this rise by advertising itself as a good place for Chinese tourists to visit. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says that only 1.7 million Chinese people visited the country in 2008, but 10.5 million did so in 2018. Let’s take a look at why Bangkok is so appealing.

What Makes Bangkok a Great Choice

Since I’ve been to and written about Bangkok a lot over the last seven years, I’ve noticed a few main things that make it so popular with Chinese tourists:

How much it costs

Bangkok is a great place to get great value for money. Numbeo’s 2019 cost of living index shows that prices for food, transportation, and housing are much lower than in Singapore and Hong Kong, which are two other big Asian cities. Bangkok is a great deal compared to other big cities because tasty street food only costs a few dollars and cheap hotel rooms cost twenty to thirty dollars a night.

Shopping and Eating

Bangkok is known for being a great place to shop. Shopping malls like MBK Center, Siam Paragon, EmQuartier, and CentralWorld have a lot of clothes, technology, and high-end items that are cheaper than in China. Also, Chinatown is known for its busy markets that sell all sorts of things, from new fruits to old things.

The food in Thailand is also very appealing. There are more than 50,000 restaurants in Bangkok that serve popular Thai food like Tom Yum Goong, Som Tam (papaya salad), and Pad Thai. The city has a great food scene that fits the tastes of Chinese tourists.

Ability to access

Bangkok has a lot of flying connections that are helpful. It has two international airports and cheap flights every day from several Chinese towns. It is one of the most important transportation hubs in Southeast Asia. High-speed train also makes it easy to get from Bangkok to China. Taking a direct train from Kunming to Thailand takes 10 hours, which makes it even easier to get there.

Buildings for tourists

Over 35 million foreign tourists visit Thailand every year, and Bangkok has built its infrastructure with tourists in mind. At major tourist spots, signs and restaurants are written in Chinese. A lot of people accept popular apps like WeChat Pay and AliPay. Most hotels and restaurants have high standards for customer service. The fact that Bangkok is friendly to tourists makes it easy for Chinese visitors to get around.

Closeness to culture

Chinese tourists often feel more at ease in Thailand because the two cultures are similar. Thailand has a lot of Chinese people who live there from other countries, and places like Yaowarat (Chinatown) let guests enjoy Chinese food and traditions. Chinese culture has also had a big impact on Thailand. There is a state holiday for Chinese New Year, and many Thais follow Chinese beliefs. This helps with culture shock.

Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Since I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok as a travel writer, these are some of the best places for Chinese guests to see and do:

• These beautiful royal and religious structures, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, show off Thailand’s history, architecture, and culture. Their beautiful temples and castles are a must-see on any trip.
• If you love shopping, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place for you. With over 15,000 booths selling everything from clothes to home decor, it’s one of the biggest markets in the world. It perfectly captures the busy business life in Bangkok.
• Chao Phraya River & Waterways: A boat tour along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is a great way to see how people live there. Floating markets like Damnoen Saduak show how trade used to be done in the past.
• The Jim Thompson House is a one-of-a-kind draw. It is the preserved home of the American businessman who brought silk production back to life in Thailand. The native Thai buildings and artifacts show how people live in that area.
• When you go on a street food tour of Bangkok, you can try traditional dishes like pad thai, som tam, and khao pad in a real-life setting. At night, markets like Yaowarat and Chinatown are very busy.

Conclusion

It’s no wonder that Bangkok has become the most popular place for Chinese tourists to visit in recent years. It’s cheap, has a lot of culture and food, and has a lot of sights to see. Based on current trends, Thailand will likely continue to be a favorite among China’s growing group of world travelers. We hope that this breakdown helps you understand why Bangkok is so appealing.

I’m happy to give you more tips and suggestions because I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok and written a lot of travel stories about how Chinese tourists love it. Feel free to email me or connect with me on social media!