Chinatowns—communities of Chinese people located beyond mainland China—can be found in urban areas all over the world. And when you visit these fascinating enclaves, you’ll be treated to an authentic cultural experience that goes far beyond conventional borders. From Australia to Canada and points in between, scroll on for these photos that show the beauty of Chinatowns around the world.
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This Southeast Asian city-state is home to some of the best street food in the world. And you’ll find some of Singapore’s tastiest eats in the maze-like roads of its Chinatown. Set your sights on things like Hainanese chicken rice and get ready to snap photos of all the fascinating old-meets-new Chinese sights here, including the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
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Head Down Under to Australia to see one of the most beautiful Chinatowns in the world in the city of Melbourne. Elaborate gates mark the grand entrance and you can follow the glow of Chinese lanterns to explore. A favourite stop for dumplings is the Hutong Dumpling Bar.
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Home to nearly 35,000 residents, San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia. A visit here makes for one totally transforming experience. This is also the oldest Chinatown in North America. Stroll the streets to browse incredible produce and seafood offerings, pop into a dumpling bar or scour the souvenir shops for jade jewelry.
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Gerrard Street in the West End is the main drag of London’s bustling Chinatown, but the fascinating little shops, restaurants and food stands spider out for many city blocks from there. That the streets signs are all written in both Chinese and English here adds to the area’s authenticity.
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Chinese food isn’t the only cuisine you’ll find on offer at the many restaurants within Toronto’s lively Chinatown. Set your sights on Vietnamese, Thai and other delicious Asian cuisines, too, and be sure to visit the beautiful Ching Kwok Buddhist Temple while you’re here, too.
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Home to a thriving Chinese American community, Honolulu has a fascinating Chinatown that’s worthy of a visit. Here, noodle shops and dim sum eateries can be found alongside stylish art galleries and hipster bars. Don’t leave without buying a lei flower necklace.
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Close to Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District and Nieuwmarkt, the city’s Chinatown is the place to dive into authentic Asian culture in Holland. This is also one of the oldest Chinatowns in Europe. With its authentic Chinese roof, the Zeedijk Buddhist Temple is the most famous sight here. And you’ll find lots of authentic Asian restaurants nearby, too, including some excellent Indonesian spots.
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Also called the Barrio Chino, the Chinatown in Lima, Peru, is often a surprise to visitors who come to the country in search of ceviche and Machu Picchu. In fact, Peru is home to the largest Chinese population in all of South America. Look for the large red gates marking the entrance to this part of town and prepare to dine on authentic Chinese specialties like dumplings at the many “chifa” restaurants.
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The striking Millennium Gate marks the entrance to Vancouver’s vibrant and historic Chinatown, which was named one of Canada’s National Historic Sites in 2011. Murals here tell the history of the city’s arrivals from China, and there are endless restaurants and shops to explore.
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Bordered by the Lower East Side and Little Italy, New York’s Chinatown is a bustling world of its own and a great place for dining, shopping and sourcing some of the most inexpensive and exotic produce in the city. Busy Manhattan dwellers also swear by the many reflexology spas in this fascinating part of town.
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Indian and Chinese cultures swirl for a heady mix of exotic sounds and flavours in Kolkata’s Chinatown, located in the Tangra neighbourhood in the city’s east. Chinese New Year is the most exciting time to visit, when parades and costumed revellers fill the streets to celebrate.
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Bangkok’s enormous Chinatown dates to the late 18th century and is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Come evening time, the streets get filled with low plastic tables and chairs as hundreds of people descend to dine on inexpensive and delicious Chinese fare. The area is also a haven for gold shops, should you be shopping for all that glitters.
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The Binondo district of Manila is home to the Philippines’ largest Chinatown. Chinese New Year is the most happening time of year here. But whenever you visit, you’ll find the air fragrant with the smells of endless Chinese restaurants and burning incense at the area’s many Buddhist temples.
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About 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Tokyo, Japan’s largest Chinatown awaits visitors in the city of Yokohama. The streets are exceptionally colourful, with bright neon signs with Chinese characters and elaborate gates and pagodas. The Kanteibyo temple here is devoted to the god of business and prosperity, so you may want to stop by for some luck.
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Also known as Petite Asie or the Quartier Asiatique, Paris’s Chinatown is a surprisingly little spot in the City of Light. Paris’s Chinatown was established in the 1970s and ‘80s and is home to some of the best Asian restaurants in the city, when you’re ready for a break from French fare. Visit during Chinese New Year to see the neighbourhood at its most festive.
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Located at the southern end of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District), Chinatown is worthy of a visit while you’re visiting the land Down Under. Australia’s largest Chinatown, it’s defined by lanterns and archways that stand apart from Sydney’s more traditional architecture. Noodle bars and food halls make for some of the city’s cheapest eats here, too.
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Head to Petaling Street in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur to see one of Southeast Asia’s most alive and interesting Chinatowns. Highlights here include the many curry and noodle shops, sprawling flea markets that sell anything and everything, and beautiful Chinese temples like the Guan Di Temple.
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Asian food markets and souvenir shops line de la Gauchetière Street in Montreal’s quaint little Chinatown. Located between downtown Montreal and Old Montreal, it’s worth a visit for inexpensive restaurants and the authentic vibe.
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Canada’s oldest Chinatown can be found in the gorgeous town of Victoria on Vancouver Island. After San Francisco’s, this is the oldest Chinatown in North America. The hub of the neighbourhood’s activity is on Fisgard Street, where the colour red dominates every shop and restaurant and an ornate gate marks your arrival.
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Chinese cultures and also Thai, Vietnamese and Korean, too, swirl in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. The elaborate Friendship Gate marks the entrance to this part of town that bustles with eclectic shops and restaurants, including the speakeasy-style bar called the Hop Sing Laundromat, a cocktail bar that’s become wildly popular in recent years.
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