Chinese New Year near Bangkok: Best Places to Pray

Where to visit and pray during Chinese New Year near Bangkok

Chinese New Year is a special time for good fortune, fresh starts, and spiritual journeys. Many Thai-Chinese travellers use this period to step away from Bangkok’s busy pace and visit peaceful places to pray and reflect.

Just a short ferry ride from Sriracha, Koh Si Chang offers a calm island setting with sacred Chinese shrines, historic temples, and relaxing sea views. It is an ideal place for quiet prayers and meaningful moments during Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026.

Staying at Novotel Koh Si Chang makes the experience easy and comfortable, with key spiritual sites and island attractions close by, allowing visitors to focus on rest, reflection, and the simple joy of being on the island.

Why Koh Si Chang for Chinese New Year?

Image via Yuok Okna from Google Map Photos

Koh Si Chang is an easy and peaceful choice for Chinese New Year travel, especially for Thai-Chinese visitors looking for a short and meaningful break.

How to go to Koh Si Chang from Bangkok
The island is simple to reach, with a 45-minute drive from Bangkok to Sriracha followed by a short 30-minute ferry ride. This makes it ideal for a quick getaway without a long travel time.
Calm atmosphere compared to mainland temples
Unlike busy temples in Bangkok or Pattaya, Koh Si Chang feels quiet and relaxed. The island’s beaches, caves, and coastal views create a calm setting for prayer and reflection.
Strong Thai-Chinese spiritual heritage
Koh Si Chang has long been a spiritual stop for Chinese traders and pilgrims. The Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine has been respected for centuries and continues to attract visitors who come to pray for good fortune.
Ideal for prayer and short island stays
The island suits travellers who want simple rituals, quiet meditation, and a short stay during Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026, without crowds or pressure.

Together, these elements make Koh Si Chang a meaningful and comfortable destination to welcome the new year with peace and intention.

Chinese New Year beliefs and spiritual travel

Chinese New Year is a meaningful time for prayer, reflection, and fresh beginnings. Many families and travellers use this period to reconnect with spiritual traditions and welcome good fortune for the year ahead.

During Chinese New Year, people often:

Pray for fortune and luck by offering incense, food, and joss sticks to deities such as the God of Wealth.
Pay respect to sacred places by visiting Chinese and Buddhist temples to ask for blessings and protection.
Start the year with positive intentions through simple rituals that focus on gratitude, renewal, and hope.

These beliefs encourage people to begin the new year with a clear mind and positive spirit. Visiting temples and shrines becomes a way to pause, reflect, and set good intentions for the months ahead.

On Koh Si Chang, these traditions feel especially natural. Thai-Chinese pilgrims visit island shrines such as Chao Pho Khao Yai to pray for wishes and good luck, surrounded by sea views and a calm atmosphere. During Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026, the island offers a peaceful setting that mirrors traditional temple visits, without the crowds of the mainland.

Top spiritual sites on Koh Si Chang

Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine

Image via Theerat Suwantaveesri from Google Map Photos

Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine is a well-known Chinese shrine set on a cliff overlooking the sea. It was built centuries ago by Chinese traders who once anchored their boats in the nearby bay.

Visitors come here for quiet prayers and wish-making, especially during Chinese New Year. The shrine feels calm and open, with fresh sea air and wide views of the island.

Cliff-side shrine with beautiful sea views
Sacred caves filled with Guanyin statues
Incense offerings and prayer areas for good fortune
A walking path that leads up towards the Buddha’s Footprint

This shrine is especially meaningful to Thai-Chinese pilgrims visiting on February 17 and 18, 2026.

Wat Khao Phutthakhodom

Image via Anan Nawakitbumrung from Google Map Photos

Wat Khao Phutthakhodom sits on the same hilltop area as Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine. This Buddhist temple is home to the sacred Buddha’s Footprint and attracts visitors seeking peace and reflection.

The atmosphere here is quiet and simple, making it ideal for slow walks, prayer, and merit-making.

Buddhist temple on a peaceful hilltop
Houses the revered Buddha’s footprint
Calm space for reflection and spiritual focus
Panoramic views across Koh Si Chang and the sea

Together, these two sacred sites offer a gentle spiritual journey that suits short Chinese New Year visits without the crowds found on the mainland.

Suggested Chinese New Year itinerary on Koh Si Chang

This simple itinerary suits a short and meaningful visit during Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026.

Morning at Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine
Start the day early and head to Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine. From the ferry pier, take a songthaew up to the hill. Join other visitors in lighting incense, offering prayers, and spending quiet time inside the cliff-side caves with sea views.
Visit the Buddha’s Footprint
From the shrine, walk or drive along the short path up to Wat Khao Phutthakhodom. Spend time at the sacred Buddha’s Footprint, enjoy the calm atmosphere, and take in the wide views from the hilltop.
Afternoon rest and views
Return to your hotel, such as Novotel Koh Si Chang, to rest during the warm afternoon. If time allows, visit a scenic viewpoint on the island for fresh air and relaxed sightseeing.
Evening dining and relaxation
End the day with a simple dinner at a local seafood restaurant near the pier. After dinner, enjoy a quiet walk or relax by the sea, taking in the peaceful island night.

This gentle pace allows time for prayer, rest, and reflection, making it ideal for Chinese New Year on Koh Si Chang.

Where to stay on the island

Novotel Koh Si Chang is a convenient place to stay during Chinese New Year, especially for travellers planning short visits focused on rest and spiritual travel.

Centrally located
The hotel sits in a central area of the island, making it easy to reach key spiritual sites such as Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine. Ferry access from Sriracha is also simple, with hotel transport options available.
Comfortable for short spiritual getaways
Rooms and pool villas offer space and comfort for a relaxed stay. Facilities such as the pool, spa, and on-site dining support quiet breaks between temple visits and island walks.
Suitable for couples and families
The hotel suits different travel styles, with family-friendly areas, interconnecting rooms, and open grounds that allow both adults and children to unwind.

For Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026, staying on the island allows visitors to move at an easy pace while focusing on prayer, reflection, and rest.

Practical travel tips for Koh Si Chang during Chinese New Year

A little planning helps make your visit smooth and respectful during Chinese New Year on February 17 and 18, 2026.

Visit temples early
Go to temples such as Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine in the morning, between 7.00am and 10.00am. Early visits help avoid heat and small crowds and suit traditional prayer times.
Dress and behave respectfully
Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering shrines, avoid pointing your feet towards Buddha images, and keep prayers calm and quiet.
Plan transport and payments
Koh Si Chang is less crowded than mainland temples in Bangkok or Chonburi, but songthaews can fill up quickly during festivals. Book ferry tickets in advance and carry cash for offerings, transport, and small purchases.

These simple tips help ensure a peaceful and meaningful Chinese New Year visit on the island.

Koh Si Chang is a meaningful place to welcome Chinese New Year, where spiritual traditions come together with nature and a calm island lifestyle. Sacred shrines, quiet temples, and sea views create a peaceful setting for prayer, reflection, and rest, away from busy crowds.

For travellers planning a visit on February 17 and 18, 2026, staying on the island allows more time to slow down and enjoy the experience. Novotel Koh Si Chang offers a comfortable and convenient place to stay, making it easy to explore the island and enjoy a relaxed Chinese New Year by the sea.