According to official statistics, about half of Bangkok's residents are Chinese, who have lived here since ancient times. They, as in many other world capitals, formed their own "city within a city" - the Chinese quarter, or Chinatown.
Thais call this area Yaowarat, after the street around which it is located. Life here is bustling: its own temples and restaurants, bazaars and a railway station - the social infrastructure creates the special flavor of a "city within a city".
“Wat Mangkon Kamalawat”, which literally translates as the "Temple of the Lotus and Dragon" - is the largest and most important Chinese-Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It is the center of all the main religious festivals, including the vegetarian festival and Chinese New Year.
The Temple of the Lotus and Dragon is not a separate building, but an entire complex. Its buildings have a rather whimsical appearance: tiled roofs are arranged in several tiers and decorated in the traditional Chinese style.
Inside the main temple and other ritual premises, Buddhist shrines are kept. And in the main square you can find out from a fortune-teller what fate has in store for you. However, to ensure that happiness finds you for sure, you need to release a bird from its cage. You can buy one right here, as they say, without leaving the counter.
