Chinatown

Chinatown is home to hundreds of retail stores, historic landmarks, Chinese bakeries, markets and nightlife

One of the most enduring immigrant communities, Chinatown is New York's most famous ethnic neighbourhood with the largest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the southern part of Manhattan, next to Little Italy, Chinatown is home to hundreds of retail stores, historic landmarks, Chinese bakeries, markets and nightlife destinations. Although known for its street food and cheap knockoffs, Chinatown has been a Natural Historic District since 2010 and is home to the Museum of Chinese in America, the Mahayana Buddhist Temple and Asian American Arts Center. Two notable cultural landmarks are located in Chatham Square: the statue of Lin Zexu, a Chinese scholar who crusaded against the opium trade and Kim Lau Memorial Arch, honouring the Chinese Americans who died in World War II.

Home to over 300 restaurants, there are no shortage of restaurants serving Shanghais, Taiwanese, Pekingese, Cantonese, and Hongkonger cuisine with Thai, Vietnamese and Korean eateries joining the scene. For a sweet treat, stop in the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory and sample exotic flavours like lycee and Chinese almond cookie. For a bit of karaoke with your drinks and nibbles, Winnie's is a hotspot for both tourists and locals.

Chinatown well known for its designer imposter merchandise with business is conducted fairly openly despite legality issue. While Manhattan tourism distances itself from the practice, it is illegal to sell, but not to buy. Three sided stalls teeming with handbags, sunglasses, wallets and accessories line Canal Street between Lafayette Street and Bowery Street. If you don't see what you are looking for, don't be afraid to ask as many times certain stock is kept out of plain view. Vendors only accept cash, so keep a close eye on your wallet and keep children close as it is easy for them to get lost in the colourful chaos.

Cost: Free, Fees may apply for activities. Please see websites for details.

Hours: 24 hours

Website: Explore Chinatown

Address: Grand Street to Worth Street and Allen Street to Lafayette Street

Nearby attractions: Little Italy, Soho, St. Paul's Chapel, Financial District

Getting There on Transit
Subway Train / Bus	Subway Station	Walking Time
R, Q, W or 6	Canal Street	0 minutes
B or D	Grand Street	0 minutes
J or Z	Canal, Center or Chambers Street	0 minutes
R, Q, W or 6 train to Canal Street, B or D to Grand Street, J, M or Z to Canal/Centre Street or J or Z to Chambers Street View New York Attractions in a larger map