There are actually 3 Chinatowns in New York City. There is one in lower Manhattan, another in Queens and another in Brooklyn.
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There are actually 3 Chinatowns in New York City. There is one in lower Manhattan, another in Queens and another in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Chinatown and Queens Chinatown are quiet residential areas, while the Manhattan Chinatown is a vibrant and busy tourist area. Regardless of which Chinatown you go to, there are always plenty of celebrations and parades during the Chinese New Year.
New York City’s Chinatown Manhattan is the largest Chinatown in all of North America. It is the city’s most popular ethnic area, visited by millions of tourists each year. Manhattan’s Chinatown is also one of the oldest Chinese enclaves outside of Asia. There are many words to describe the Chinatown in Manhattan. Some of the words include: busy, interesting, historic, and dirty (although there has been a recent push to clean up Chinatown in recent years). The Manhattan Chinatown is also quite touristy and filled with tourist traps. In general, everything is quite inexpensive. You will also find various restaurants that feature Chinese-American cooking. (which can be defined as Chinese cooking geared towards American tastes). Along with Chinese restaurants, you will find other Asian restaurants ranging from Huan, Cantonese and Vietnamese to name a few. This Chinatown is the largest Chinese enclave in North America. It is bordered by Chambers Street to the South, East River to the East, Broadway to the West, and Canal Street to the North. The two main streets in are Canal Street and Mott Street.
The Chinatown in Queens a less touristy feel to it and caters less to tourists. The food served at the Queens Chinatown is the food that most of Americans consider exotic. Here, you will be able to find more authentic Asian cuisine in the various Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and Vietnamese restaurants. You can also easily find stores selling imported furniture, books, DVDS, CDS, art and jewelry, from the native lands. This is quite different from what you would find in Manhattan’s Chinatown, since most of the customers are from the native lands.
You will find very cheap Asian cuisine, souvenirs and clothing in Chinatown, particularly on Canal Street. Chinatown features many jewelry shops on Canal Street along with various Asian restaurants. In fact, there are over 200 Chinese restaurants located in Chinatown.
Canal Street is the heart and the soul of NYC’s Chinatown. This busy street is serviced by various subway lines, including the J, M, Z, N, R, 6, Q, and W. Canal street is often crowded with tourists and locals alike during the day and stays busy till around 9p.m.
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How Manhattan is divided:
Downtwon: south of 34th street
Midtown: 34th street to 59th street
Uptown: north of 59th Street
East Side & West Side: Fifth Avenue is the dividing line
FAQs
Chinatown, NYC is its own destination. A great place for bargain shopping, food, history, and the chance to soak in Chinese immigrant culture. It's a fantastic NYC neighborhood.
What is the best street to walk down in Chinatown, NYC? ›
From a tourist's perspective, Mott Street has the best that New York's Chinatown has to offer – a fantastic array of authentic Chinese food, cheap gift shops, tea houses, jewelry stores, fish and vegetable markets, as well as some remaining Italian businesses.
What is the best stop for Chinatown, NYC? ›
The closest stations to Chinatown are: Bowery/Canal St is 83 yards away, 2 min walk. East Broadway/Forsyth St is 233 yards away, 3 min walk. Allen St/Canal St is 271 yards away, 4 min walk.
Which NYC Chinatown is better? ›
New York City's Original Chinatown
Perhaps the most famous Chinatown is New York's first Chinatown, in Manhattan. Located next door to Little Italy, and Lower Manhattan, the area is famed not only for its great food and rich history but also for great culture.
Is Chinatown NYC cash only? ›
Pro tip: Many if not most Chinatown businesses are cash only, so be sure to bring some paper money to avoid having to track down ATMs.
What is the coolest street in Chinatown, NYC? ›
Bloody Angle (Doyers Street), the most famous street in NYC's Chinatown. Chinatown's Doyers Street may be just 200 feet long, but it's one of the most famous streets in New York, so you must check it out.
Are Little Italy and Chinatown close? ›
Little Italy is really close to Chinatown and more. Little Italy's location makes it the perfect stop while you're exploring other neighborhoods downtown like Chinatown and SoHo.
How to haggle in Chinatown NYC? ›
Always Ask the Price
You'll know for sure whether the prices are flexible if the vendor immediately offers you a “discount.” 2. Ask the vendor to go lower, or make an opening bid of 75 to 85 percent of the asking price. Coming in at half or less will only get you ignored or scolded, and bargaining is a game of respect.
Does Chinatown still sell knockoffs? ›
Swag counterfeiters return to NYC's Chinatown — 3 months after NYPD takedown. Canal Street residents are tired of fake news. Three months after a massive NYPD sting netted as much as $2 million in knockoff designer goods — peddlers of faux Fendi and pirated Prada are out in full force again, locals griped.
Is flushing Chinatown better? ›
At Flushing Main Street station, you walk straight out into Chinatown. Its pretty amazing, it feels very cosmopolitan, and everyone appears to be getting on with their business. The town is cleaner than Manhattan, with modern shopping precincts and a Macy's.
Manhattan's Chinatown is the oldest in America and has been home to Chinese immigrants since the 19th century. Chinese traditions have survived for several generations, and wandering the festive streets mimics a time portal into the past.
Is Little Italy in NYC worth visiting? ›
We highly recommend it. We visited Little Italy on a walking tour. We were told Little Italy had consisted of 17 blocks but is now down to 4 blocks. The area mostly has restaurants, bakeries and shops – some almost 100 years old.
Which underground is best for Chinatown? ›
The nearest tube stations are Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square (from Charing Cross Road). The nearest step-free station is Green Park.
Are there street vendors in Chinatown? ›
Street vendors are an essential part of Chinatown's vibrancy and diversity. They bring the beloved flavors and dishes of their home countries/regions to our community.
Why should tourists visit Chinatown? ›
It offers a unique blend of Chinese heritage and modernity, making it a must-visit for tourists. The bustling streets are lined with traditional shophouses, where you can find a wide array of authentic Chinese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and souvenir stores.
What is special about Chinatown New York? ›
Home to the city's largest Asian community, Chinatown is the best spot in New York to find not just incredible Chinese restaurants but also Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian fare. Though savoring memorable meals is certainly a must-do, there's more to see and explore in Chinatown beyond eating.
Is Chinatown worth going to? ›
Sightseeing, shopping, and food. Chinatown has by far been one of my favorite places to visit. You cant beat the sightseeing, shopping, eating, and cultural experience all in one place.
Is Chinatown or Little India better? ›
Little India offers a unique cultural experience with its traditional temples, murals, and street art — not to mention the delicious Indian food. On the other hand, Chinatown offers up a trove of traditional foods and cuisines that you can't find anywhere else.
