Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Small size is the first thing you notice, and that puts some people off. Don't let that deter you. This shrine on Mangkon Road houses a 900-year-old statue of Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of mercy. Carved from teak and painted gold, it stands on the altar inside. The painted walls are another reason to visit. Details like these are easily missed if you only glance in for thirty seconds and move on, so take your time.

It's located right in the heart of Chinatown market, offering a welcome escape from the noise and a much more tranquil atmosphere. On Saturday mornings, a quiet, almost reverential mood prevails. On Chinese holidays, however, it's packed, with thousands coming to pray. It's also worth a visit after dark, when the lighting transforms the ambiance. The shrine belongs to the Thien Fah Foundation, Bangkok's oldest charity, and the surrounding buildings are also part of this institution.