The So Heng Tai House is one of Bangkok's oldest surviving private residences. This traditional Chinese courtyard house was built over 200 years ago in the historic Talat Noi district, not far from Bangkok's Chinatown, by the wealthy Hokkien Chinese merchant Phra Aphaiwanit (originally from Fujian Province, China). The house reflects traditional Hokkien architecture, with its wooden structures enclosing a central courtyard. Passed down through generations, it remains in the same family's possession, making it a rare testament to the history of Bangkok's Chinese community. Today, it houses a café and a dive center (more on that below) and can be visited for a small entrance fee, which is credited towards the purchase of a drink on-site. Red wooden doors lead into a courtyard with a deep pool in the center. From there, you can stroll upstairs, buy a drink, and relax on one of the balconies. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and step back in time for a brief moment. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend coming specifically for this typical old Chinese house, I do suggest exploring the entire Talad Noi district – it's a veritable little village in the heart of the city! I've put together a walking tour of Talad Noi that I highly recommend, which includes a stop at the So Heng Tai House. A dive center in the heart of Bangkok: Built in 2004, the pool serves as both living quarters and a unique and quite active dive center in one of Bangkok's most charming historic districts. The aim is to generate income to ensure the building's upkeep. Maintaining such an old building is expensive, and the café's income is insufficient. A visit to the So Heng Tai House and the purchase of drinks and snacks there also contribute to its preservation.

Opening Hours: So Heng Tai Mansion is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Mondays. Please note: Even during these opening hours, the doors may occasionally be closed (usually due to a diving course). Admission: The entrance fee is 50 TB and will be deducted from the purchase of food and drinks at the Mansion.

To reach So Heng Tai Mansion, you will inevitably have to walk a bit. I recommend taking the time to explore the very pleasant Talad Noi neighborhood, where the villa is located, on foot. The most convenient way to reach this part of Bangkok is by taking the Chao Phraya Express riverboat. Get off at the Marine Department pier. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk.

How to get there

How do you get to So Heng Tai Mansion? To reach So Heng Tai Mansion, you will inevitably have to walk a bit. I recommend taking the time to explore the very pleasant Talad Noi district, where the mansion is located, on foot. The most convenient way to reach this part of Bangkok is by taking the Chao Phraya Express riverboat. Get off at the Marine Department pier. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk.