A Guide to Chinatowns

A Guide To Vancouver Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:04:16 +0000

With its diverse history and vibrant street life, Chinatown in Vancouver is one of the city’s best neighbourhoods to come to for food, shopping and exploring the city. The area is a shopping haven with Chinese herbal shops, bakeries, jewelry stores and various clothing stores.

Located just East of downtown Vancouver it was one of the earliest residential and commercial neighbourhoods in the city. In the late 1800s, with more than ten thousand Chinese coming in to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, this part of the city officially became known as Chinatown. It is now both an important historic area as well as a bustling commercial district. Vancouver’s Chinatown is nearly as large as San Francisco’s Chinatown and 3rd in population of the world’s Chinatowns after New York and San Francisco and is one of the largest in the Western hemisphere.

A Diversity of Attractions
Different tour options are available depending on whether you want to shop or just eat delicious Asian cuisine, or just do some sightseeing. There are some really neat Chinese markets near Gore Ave and Keefer Street such as the San Lee Grocery, Four Seas Herbal Products which carries many different types of Chinese candies and the Chinatown Supermarket which has many Chinese specialty items available for purchase.

With Hong Kong style cafes, tea shops, seafood and many Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants available, this is a very popular neighbourhood to dine in. Young Vancouver residents also come to the area for its nightlife as this is where the trendy Fortune Sound Club and The Keefer are located. And be sure to visit the Historical Alley, China Gate, the Chinatown Cultural Centre Museum, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the Wen Han Dynasty Bell to name a few. The Jimi Hendrix Shrine can be found in Vancouver’s Chinatown area.

A Guide to Toronto Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:24 +0000

Toronto Chinatown is one of the most popular tourist attractions in this culturally diverse city. The original Chinatown begun in the late 1800s when hundreds of Chinese workers came over to work on the Canadian Railway system. By the early 1900s, the Chinese population of Toronto had grown to over one thousand and Chinatown soon became a fully established area full of hundreds of Chinese owned businesses. In the 1960s, to create Toronto’s new city hall building, Chinatown had to be relocated to the west where it remains day. There are tours that will take you through Toronto Chinatown if you want to get the best look of the area and hear all about its history.

As with any large city Chinatowns, visiting the local shops selling herbal remedies and other Chinese products which you can purchase at reasonable costs is always a treat. And of course, Toronto Chinatown is packed with fantastic restaurants serving up authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food. Bright Pearl Seafood, Bun Saigon Vietnamese, Kwangtung Dim Sum, New Ho King Restaurant and Goldstone Noodle restaurant are but a few of the many places you can go to eat delicious Asian cuisine.

Chinese Festivals
The Toronto Chinatown has two major festivals. One is a not for profit event put which draws in over one hundred thousand visitors over a weekend which pays tribute to Chinese heritage. There are stands and booths set up for this and everyone who shows up can walk away with something memorable.

Toronto’s Chinese New Year festival and celebration is a really popular one. This day is a very big day for Chinese people worldwide, and. it is no different in Toronto which has a large Chinese and Asian population. One of the most spectacular things to see is the parade which acknowledges the Chinese culture, heritage and beliefs. The parade is truly authentic with its display of bright coloUrs and showy costumes.

A Guide to San Francisco Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:56:34 +0000

When visiting San Francisco, taking a tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown is always a real treat. While there are many Chinatowns throughout the world, San Francisco’s is the oldest in the US as well as the largest outside of Asia. San Francisco is a very popular tourist city and Chinatown is one of its top attractions. Take a walk through its narrow streets and check out the attractions and local ambience.

Chinatown’s gateway begins at the junction of Bush Street and Grand Avenue and you can get there by taking either Grant Avenue or Stockton Street. With San Francisco’s lack of parking and the exorbitant prices you might consider taking the BART system, although cable cars are also recommended. To get to Chinatown on the BART, you would take it to Powell Street and then you could ride on the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason Cable cars.

Chinatown San Francisco Attractions
Enjoy the food. Authentic Chinese restaurants are everywhere and the list is far too long to include here. Walking down the streets, you will smell the rich and delicious smell of roast duck inviting you in. It is well worth it to come during lunch or dinner if you enjoy Chinese cuisine. If you happen to be visiting San Francisco during Chinese New Year, you will have to see the Chinese New Year Parade which happens annually. There are three popular attractions you should consider visiting:

1. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is located in San Francisco China Town at Ross Alley parallel to Grant Ave. This is a fun attraction to visit and get a picture in.

2. A popular place to visit in China Town is the Tin How temple which is located on Waverly Place. Admission to the temple is free though they accept donations.

3. The Bank of Canton building used to be the Chinese Telephone Exchange which was closed in 1949 when the phone systems changed over from switchboard systems to the rotary ones. In 1960, the Bank of Canton bought the building and restored it.

There are many old churches, buildings, alleys worth looking into. There are tours operating which can take you all over China Town so you can get the full view of it.

New York Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:54:04 +0000

New York Chinatown is within Manhattan, which is one of the five boroughs that make up the entire city as a whole. The New York Chinatown district, in existence for nearly 170 years when immigrates were first starting to settle in the area, has one of the highest concentrations of Chinese people in the western hemisphere. The East coast was a common place for immigrants to settle since during these times. when the western states were creating laws to prevent immigrants from settling out west to compete during the gold rush.

Since the 1800s many laws such as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 allowed many more Asian immigrants into the United States. With this new surge of Asian immigration to the area New York Chinatown exploded in growth to become the thriving community it is today. If you are looking to buy some fresh groceries you will want to check out all of the green grocers that are all bunched together in the Mulberry Street, Mott Street and Canal Street area. Many tourists will enjoy the New York Chinatown jewelry store district which can be found on Canal Street. You will be able to find any kind of Chinese jewelry you can think of, anything from rings and necklaces, to the latest fashion trends in bracelets and charms.

Culture and Shopping
The Chinese culture has long promoted individuals and families to save their extra income, going hand in hand with this ideology comes the several Asian banks in the area. The North side West of Broadway you will find the area filled with street vendors selling brand-name knockoffs of all kinds, including designer handbags, clothing, watches and perfumes. If you are looking to save some money and do not mind wearing or using an imitation product this area may become your favourite.

If you are a tourist who is only in the area for a single day you can take one of the tours offered by companies in the area, two of the most popular are NYC Chinatown Tours and Big Onion. There are more than 200 different Chinese restaurants in the area where you will be sure to find near any dish you are seeking out. Give New York Chinatown a visit if you are in the area. It is certainly worth the time.

A Guide To Montreal Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:51:48 +0000

Montreal Chinatown in the 1860s during a time when many Chinese immigrants traveled to Montreal to find work and better lives. They settled mainly in lower St. Laurent Blvd and de la Gauchetiere. Back in the 1940s, this area was considered the ‘bad’ part of town. St. Lawrence Blvd would have been where you’d come to find a girl or a gun. Vietnamese and Hong Kong residents have bought up much of the real estate in Montreal Chinatown, and it has become a vibrant community, a mixture of residential and commercial outlets where you can shop and eat, Grocers spill their wares out to the streets and dragon dances filter through the streets on holidays. You will commonly hear French, English, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Cantonese inside the shops and out in the streets.

Getting There
The best access to Montreal Chinatown, known as Quartier chinois in French, is from the Champ-De-Mars Metro Station. Once you’ve passed St Laurent, going down La Gauchetiere, you will come to the city center of Chinatown. All the lamps and arches you can see there were erected in 1982. Artists and architects in the community have done all the art work, which is based on Chinese mythology, allowing the Chinese residents to claim it more as their own. The Chinese community often celebrate Canadian holidays with festivals and tokens such as green fortune cookies for St. Patrick’s Day. The best times to visit will be when Chinese and Canadian holidays coincide so that you get a Chinese take on a Canadian holiday and a real traditional Chinese experience.

A Guide To Los Angeles Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:42:41 +0000

The city of Los Angeles’s Chinatown, one of the three large Chinatowns in California, the other two being in San Francisco and Oakland. It was built in 1938, after the previous LA Chinatown was destroyed to make room for the city’s major train depot. Oddly enough, the area that makes up LA’s Chinatown used to be Los Angeles’ Little Italy. You can still find San Antonio Winery and some other Italian establishments, but the Chinese theme and attractions are now certainly very much alive in the area.

Chinatown Los Angeles is located in downtown Los Angeles off the 110 Freeway near where it intersects with the I5. It is just north of the heart of downtown and very close to Dodger Stadium. LA’s metro system (the Gold Line train) is a fast way to get to Chinatown. It connects with other subway, bus and Metrolink lines at Los Angeles’ Union Station. The stop for Chinatown is right in the very heart of the neighborhood making it the best way to get there.

While the Los Angeles Chinatown may not be as much of a tourist attraction as other large Chinatowns. such as those in San Francisco or New York, it still has great charm and is worth a visit when exploring Los Angeles. It is almost always packed with tourists and locals who are there for the food and to visit Chinese merchants and shops. There are Chinese style buildings and things to see including Chinatown’s Central Plaza on Hill Street which was built in 1938 and which is a Cultural Historic monument.

Chinese Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is plentiful with great places to eat such as Yang Chow restaurant, which is known for its “slippery shrimp”, Ocean Seafood which is very well known in Los Angeles and the Lucky Deli. Interestingly enough, two of Chinatown’s most popular and famous restaurants (Philippe’s and Little Joe’s Italian American Restaurant) are not Chinese.

One of the most common reasons why tourists visit the Los Angeles Chinatown is because of all of the Hollywood movies which have been shot here over the years. From the actual movie Chinatown with Jack Nicholson and Lethal Weapon 4 to more recent movies like Rush Hour, Freak Friday and Balls of Fury; many Hollywood movies and TV shows have been filmed in Chinatown LA with its Asian setting.

Chicago Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:40:38 +0000

The Chinatown in Chicago is a traditional urban Chinatown occupying the area along Wentworth Avenue at Cermak Road south of downtown. This area has historically been dominated by commerce, though in recent years, residential developments have greatly increased the number of people living in the area. With restaurants, markets, shops, associations, and community services, as well as a number of services that cater to people interested in Chinese culture, Chicago Chinatown particularly attracts Chinese emigres hailing from China.

The Chinatown mural depicts the history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S as well as Chinese philosophies and social hierarchy. The Buddhist Temple on Wentworth houses a variety of statues including the 1000 arm Guan Yin Bodhisattiva. The annual Chinese New Year and Chinese Double Ten Day Parade are held in Chinatown.

Argyle Street – New Chinatown
Chicagoans also refer to a Southeast Asian community on Argyle Street in the north side as the “New Chinatown”, or alternatively, as “Little Chinatown”. But at this point, this “new” chinatown still pales in size and scope to the more traditional chinatown. This area is actually inhabited by the minority ethnic Chinese who were born in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Lima Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:37:51 +0000

Southeast of the Plaza de Armas in Lima, near the Central Market on Calle Capon, is the main Peruvian Chinatown called the Barrio Chino. It is easily recognizable by the Chinese Arch over the entrance and is one of the two earliest Chinatowns in the Western Hemisphere, along with that of Havana, and has much architecture in traditional Chinese style. Immigrants from China began to arrive in Peru in the mid-19th century, working in agriculture and later on the railroads. Their descendants form the largest Chinese community in South America of first-generation Chinese. Chinese people born in Peru are known as Tu-San.

Dining and Shopping
Local Chinese restaurants, called in Peruvian Spanish chifas, serve Chinese food with significant Peruvian influence. For visitors sightseeing in central Lima, this is a great area to stop for a meal. In addition to good food there are a number of shops selling Asian goods. It is a great place to stroll around, catch a bite to eat, and get a feel for Lima’s Chinese culture. Chifa restaurants feature large menus with Asian-Peruvian fusion food. The word “chifa” originates from two Chinese restaurants “chi” and “faan” which mean “eat rice.”

A Guide To Paris Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:34:41 +0000

Paris has two Chinatowns, one in The 13th arrondissement and another one in Belleville, in the 20th. The 13th arrondissement is home to the main Chinatown of Paris, a lively residential and business district with narrow streets. It is the biggest Chinatown in Europe. While this vibrant district may not be as popular as other Parisian tourist spots, locals certainly know to head here for the most authentic Asian cuisine.

Particularly recommended is Lao Lane Xang 2, 102 Ave d’Ivry, which offers delicious Laotian/Thai/Vietnamese cuisine. Especially look out for the lacquered duck breast in a chilli-nuoc cham sauce. After a good meal you can enjoy dessert at one of the delicious Chinese pastry shops. At 159, rue Château des Rentiers you’ll find what many regard as best Cantonese restaurant in the city, La Mer de Chine. It makes no effort to attract non-Chinese speaking diners, and parts of its menu are not even translated into French.

Chinese Department Store
Paris Chinatown has many Asian supermarkets, specialty shops, and small hotels. Plus, there is the popular large department store Tang Freres, which offers a window on the variety of Chinese merchandise available, and is the biggest Chinese grocery store in Paris. There are also cultural events that occur regularly here based on the Chinese calendar. The residents and business owners put together a big parade for the Chinese New Year.

You can get to Chinatown using 3 metro lines: Ligne 7 serves Gobelins’ near the Manufacture des Gobelins, Place d’Italie, and Tolbiac is a good entrance point for Paris Chinatown, Maison-Blanche, and Porte d’Italie, Porte de Choisy and Porte d’Ivry; you will get to these three stations if you take a train that goes to the Mairie d’Ivry direction.

Manchester Chinatown

chinatow — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:32:14 +0000

Manchester Chinatown, an ethnic enclave to the east of the city centre, is second largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom and the third largest in Europe. It has an archway on Faulkner street. Besides many Chinese Restaurants, you’ll find Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean and other Pan-Asian dining options, specialty shops, bakeries and supermarkets. The first settlers to arrive in the city came in the early 20th century, but there was not a significant Chinese population until after World War II, when the government passed the British Nationality Act. This allowed easier access into the country by Hong Kong residents who decided to migrate after their homes were being resumed for the urban sprawl.

A Dynamic Chinese Quarter
The area’s beginnings are rooted in the restaurant business, as many Chinese restaurants surfaced soon after the immigration boom. By the 1970s other Chinese businesses began to emerge, such as medicine shops, Chinese supermarkets, as well as financial and legal services, all serving the employees of the expanding number of Chinese restaurants in the area. There was even a Hong Kong government office and a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during the 1970s. In 1989 the Chinese Arts Centre opened in Chinatown.

you’ll find everything from buffet restaurants to fine-dining Cantonese restaurants and even Chinese cookery classes. There are many large Chinese supermarkets selling imported ingredients and drinks from all parts of Asia. There is an authentic feel to Manchester Chinatown and if you are around for Chinese New Year the district really buzzes with fireworks displays and the traditional lion dances.