London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Being new in the city has many perks but cons as well once you realize what to do in Chinatown London. It is quite a popular place but when you run out of options to try while being new and still getting to know the city, it becomes even harder to try out new places you have no idea about. But you don’t have to worry about that anymore since this article will brief you on all the basics. So sit back and enjoy!
Quick Snapshot of Chinatown London
Chinatown is tough to overlook. Chinatown, located in the heart of London’s West End, is the actual heart of the city. Most travelers stumble into the area, drawn in by the brilliant lights and delectable aromas. The pedestrian-friendly alleys are decorated with lovely red hanging lanterns that invite visitors to explore.
Every street has an interesting collection of shops, restaurants, pubs, and beauty salons, so you’ll never be bored in this part of London. Visitors and residents alike like Chinatown, thus it should be on everyone’s London agenda. A trip to London’s Chinatown, on the other hand, is a must for foodies. The food here is unrivaled, and it is available at some of the city’s most reasonable prices.
History of Chinatown, London
Ever since the 18th century, Chinatown has been in London, although not necessarily in the core of the West End as we know it. Many Chinese seamen docked at East London for the British East India Company. Many of these Chinese laborers eventually relocated to Limehouse, which became London’s first Chinatown.
By the early twentieth century, Limehouse had a vibrant Chinese population, with a variety of enterprises catering mostly to the Chinese seamen who docked there periodically.
Tragically, most of East London was destroyed during WWII, therefore many Chinese immigrants migrated to the West End. By the 1980s and 1990s, the neighborhood was teeming with genuine restaurants and businesses, appealing to people from all over the world.
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Things to do in Chinatown London
Following are a few things you can choose to do in Chinatown London:
1- Four Gates
The four gates define the boundaries of London’s Chinatown. These magnificent Chinatown gates are tough to overlook. They stand boldly at each entry and are among the most well-known emblems of this popular West End neighborhood. They also rank among the city’s most photographed sites.
While these gates appear to have stood triumphantly for decades, the first three, on Gerrard Street, were only erected in the 1980s. The fourth and most spectacular gate, located on Wardour Street, was built in 2016. It is the largest Chinese gate in the UK and is extremely gorgeous, with electric blue and emerald green accents.
2- Chinese New Year
It is among the trendiest and most exciting occasions to explore London’s Chinatown. Surprisingly, Chinese New Year is the largest festival beyond China in London. The complete region comes alive with a vibrant combination of colors, music, dance, and cuisine. Numerous parades move through the streets, framed by the magnificent red lanterns that hang over the region.
Many restaurants also provide special menus to commemorate the event, including items that are difficult to find the rest of the year. Many booths spring up across the region, even spilling over into other parts of the West End. These sell a wide range of Chinese things, from handmade meals to souvenirs to hand-crafted jewelry.
3- Bubble Tea
It is a Taiwanese beverage that has swept the remainder of the globe by storm and is served at Woo Tea in Chinatown. The chewy tapioca balls that fall at the bottom distinguish Bubble Tea. It is most typically offered as a milky tea with varied fruit flavors.
If this is your first time tasting bubble tea, go for the trademark Woo Tea, which is loaded with fresh fruit and peach gum. If you’re a bubble tea expert, try the delectable black Oolong milk tea with pearls.
4- Shop
A trip to Chinatown London would be incomplete without a tour of the stores. There are several one-of-a-kind boutiques that you won’t find anyplace else in town. Chinatown is an excellent spot to purchase trinkets, souvenirs, and birthday presents, or simply to window shop.
If you’re looking for eastern Asian skincare or cosmetics, Chinatown is the place to go! It has the greatest spot in the neighborhood to pick up some Korean skincare, which is widely regarded as the best in the world.
Conclusion
To conclude, the places discussed above are just a minor part of what Chinatown is offering. It is a fun area that has a lot of local foods and stuff for you to try out. Hopefully, you no longer need to worry about what to do in Chinatown London.