The city of Chanthaburi is nestled along the north to south running Chanthaburi river, which feeds into the Gulf of Thailand at Laem Singh. Some notable hotels and markets are located to the east of the river, but the main downtown area, including the old town and most of the gem shops, are to the west.
The old town (aka Chanthabun Waterfront) is set along Sukhapiban Road as it straddles the river's western banks. At the northern end of the old town is historic Wat Bot Muang and King Taksin shrine just beyond that. At the southern end is a footbridge leading across the river to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.