Chinatown can be found between the Soho area of London and Leicester Square. London’s Chinatown was originally situated in the East End, but moved to its current location in the 1970’s due to the popularity of Chinese food and culture. Old Compton Street is the main high street in Chinatown.
Chinatown is a nice little area with an Arch marking the beginning of the pedestrian zone which is full of Chinese culture consisting of restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and souvenir shops. You will discover that it has its own personality and atmosphere; and is especially worth the visit at night when all the lights decorating the area can be found brightly lit up.
Lights and decorations - Chinatown London
Whether or not you have a keen sense of smell, avoiding the exotic Oriental aromas along Gerrard Street and the neighbouring side streets is near impossible. Rest assured, you are not restricted to Chinese food only, as there is a vast choice of Asian cuisines on offer.
Chinese New Year is an excellent time to grace the area with your presence as Chinatown becomes a different place altogether with its decorations, red lanterns and all things celebratory.
Although not Chinese in any way, one of my favorite pubs in the area is Waxy’s Little Sister who has a not too busy feel about it on the busiest of days. Waxy’s Little Sister is of course Leicester Square Waxy O’Connor’s – “Little Sister”. It has a nice downstairs area as well as a lovely upstairs section with its “dumb waiter” so you don’t even have to run downstairs for a drink. Awesome!
Chinatown is a favourite hangout for locals and tourists alike and is particularly busy at Sunday lunch time, where Londoners go to the area to sneak in a quick dim sum or three.
The markets, grocery and spice shops are heaven and you do actually feel like you’re in another country. Spend some time browsing through the little shops and seeing the wonderful Oriental ornaments and paintings, you never know, you might just make a purchase.
You only wish that Chinatown were much bigger so there would be more of the area to enjoy!
Useful website…
http://www.chinatownlondon.org/
Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road
