If you’re planning for your holiday in the United Kingdom, you can’t ignore the vibrant Chinatowns in the UK. They feature a fascinating blend of Chinese tradition and modern living. It’s worth noting that Chinatowns located in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle are the five Chinatowns in England.
What is a Chinatown?
Chinatown is a bustling Chinese community known for its dazzling variety of Chinese traditions and businesses. It stands out as arguably one of the most popular tourist attractions in many countries and regions around the world, which can be mostly attributed to its distinctive architecture: ingenious couplets, mighty stone lions, enchanting pavilions and much more. Many people believe that they would’ve lost a piece of history without these traditional but vibrant cultural areas.
Wherever you go, you will always find a Chinatown in the UK that impresses you the most. Here are some widely acclaimed Chinatowns in the UK.
Top 10 Chinatowns in the UK
If you’re a student in the UK and wants to visit a chinatown in your holiday, the following guide can meet your demand. Every Chinatown in the UK has its own characteristics while also sharing common features with its couterparts.
Chinatowns in the UK | Location | Top Restaurant Recommendations |
London Chinatown | Gerrard St, London W1D 5PT | Bun House; Wong Kei; Jinli Restaurant |
Manchester Chinatown | Mosley and Portland Streets | Yang Sing; Chuan Guoxiang; Yang Sing |
Birmingham China Town | Hurst Street, Ladywell Walk, Pershore Street | Chung Ying Cantonese; Ming Moon; Asia Asia Food Hall |
Liverpool Chinatown | Nelson Street | Yuet Ben; Chung Wah; Mei Weixuan |
Newcastle Chinatown | Stowell Street | Happiness Inn; Landmark; Wing Kee Hong Kong Style Cafe |
Glasgow Chinatown | Cowcaddens | Lychee Oriental; Dumpling Monkey; China Blue |
Edinburgh Chinatown | 3 Atholl Place, West End, Edinburgh EH3 8HP, UK | Street of Beijing; Panda Kitchen; Sammy’s |
Leeds Chinatown | 18 Chapel Hill, Morley, Leeds LS27 8JP | Joy’s Kitchen; Noodle House; Wen’s Restaurant |
Belfast Chinatown | Botanic Ave | Ternary; Ting Yuxuan; Lee Garden |
Colchester Chinatown | 24 Osborne Street | Chinatown Restaurant; The Bamboo House; Hong Kong Chef |
London Chinatown
Established in 1950, London is home to the largest Chinatown in the UK, which spans over Gerrard Street and beyond. You can find many stores selling lanterns and couplets. You can even rent elegant Chinese Hanfu in some of them. Elaborate red arches are magnets, drawing you to the Chinatown in London. During the Chinese New Year and other traditional festivals, this area is covered in a thick blanket of enthusiasm, treating you to dragon dances and martial arts. There are also many best restaurants in Chinatown London UK, where you can always find palatable food to satisfy your cravings.
- Location: Gerrard St, London W1D 5PT
- Transport: Gerrard Place/Chinatown stop (the nearest bus stop); Leicester Square stop (the nearest subway stop)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Bun House. This Chinese restaurant offers affordable and authentic steamed buns, including the popular custard buns. You can also enjoy delicate dim sum.
- Wong Kei. This Chinese restaurant is renowned for its Cantonese cuisine and genuinely considerate waiters. The Beef Brisket Rice Noodles is one of its signature dishes with soft beef brisket and flavourful soup.
- Jinli Restaurant. This is a Sichuan restaurant known for its hot pot and roast fish drizzled with oil are the signature dishes here, which are suitable for diners who like spicy food.
Manchester Chinatown
Manchester Chinatown, hailed as “the Chinese Village in the North of England”, is the second biggest Chinatown in the UK and the third biggest in Europe. One of its landmarks is the archway on Faulkner Street, which was built in 1987 and was once the biggest Chinatown in the UK. Besides, you can also see many listed buildings in the Chinatown in Manchester.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this must-visit attraction during the Spring Festival. You can enjoy lion dances, art exhibitions and acrobatic performances playing to packed houses. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a travel peak when you can taste and even make delicious mooncakes by yourself.
- Location: Mosley and Portland Streets
- Transport: Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter’s Square tram stop (the nearest metrolink stations)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Yang Sing. It is one of the most popular Cantonese restaurants in Manchester Chinatown known for its authentic Cantonese food, including roast duck, shrimp dumplings, and wontons.
- Chuan Guoxiang. It is a Chinese restaurant that serves cost-effective hot pot buffet, barbecue, and stir-fried dishes
Birmingham China Town
Like many other cities, Birmingham also boasts a famous Chinatown in the UK. It was once called “Chinese Quarter” in the 1980s, but it kept expanding and has become what is known today as Birmingham Chinatown. A 12-metre-high pagoda surrounded by Chinese-style gardens and sculpture is a landmark of Birmingham Chinatown, a perfect place for taking photos.
Another characteristic of Chinatown is that it is a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian cultures, which means that you can be transported to different countries while walking around. You’ll also find the Back to Backs Museum near Chinatown belonging to the National Trust. Guided tours are available here, allowing visitors to explore old buildings and see what they looked like in the 19th century.
- Location: Hurst Street, Ladywell Walk, Pershore Street
- Transport: Smallbrook Queensway (stop NS7) (the nearest bus stop)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Chung Ying Cantonese. It is one of the oldest Cantonese restaurants in Birmingham. It offers a dazzling variety of classic Cantonese dim sum and specially made roast meats. An outdoor heated terrace is also available.
- Ming Moon. As a buffet restaurant, it provides over 60 kinds of Cantonese and Japanese cuisine. You can even watch chefs cooking in the open kitchen!
- Asia Asia Food Hall. You can find delicacies from China, South Korea and Vietnam. There is also a bar on the first floor.
Liverpool Chinatown
Located in the heart of Liverpool, Liverpool Chinatown dates back to the late 19th century and is known as one of Europe’s oldest Chinese communities. The vigorous Chinese New Year celebration is also a highlight in this Chinatown in the UK.
When you wander around the streets, you’ll definitely be fascinated by the stunning Chinese arch, which is also known as the “Chinese Gate”. It is the tallest one in Europe and the second tallest one outside China.
- Location: Nelson Street
- Transport: Suffolk Street (the nearest bus stop)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Yuet Ben. It mainly serves northern Chinese cuisine, with corn soup (with crab meat or chicken) and crispy duck with pancakes and more as its signature dishes.
- Chung Wah. This large shop sells fresh and various food, including Cantonese snacks and desserts. You can always meet genuinely enthusiastic salesmen.
- Mei Weixuan.This is a widely recommended restaurant serving Cantonese morning tea and cuisine. Signature dishes include shrimp dumplings, custard buns, etc..
Newcastle Chinatown
Newcastle Chinatown is a fascinating Chinatown in the UK and is located in the city center, serving as a witness to the cultural contributions of the Chinese community in the city. Like other Chinatowns in the UK, it also boasts a long history that can be traced back to the early 20th century when Chinese immigrants came here for business opportunities.
Its 11-metre-tall Chinese arch is one of the highest ones in the UK. You may find yourself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of Newcastle Chinatown during festive celebrations, such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Location: Stowell Street
- Transport: Monument stop & Manors stop (the nearest metro stops)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Happiness Inn. This is an ideal place for gatherings among classmates and family members for a rich variety of dishes and an antique and classic style.
- Landmark. The dim sum and steamed dishes in this Chinese restaurant are very popular, attracting quite a number of local Asians.
- Wing Kee Hong Kong Style Cafe. This widely acclaimed restaurant mainly serves delicious and authentic Cantonese cuisine, and also offers Tsingtao Beer.
Glasgow Chinatown
Situated in the heart of Glasgow, Glasgow Chinatown, a beautiful Chinatown in the UK, is bound by the streets of New City Road and Dobbies Loan. It is a vibrant community that blends Chinese and Scottish cultures.
If you come to Glasgow Chinatown during Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival, you may find yourself soak up the festive atmosphere. Lanterns, firecrackers, and lion and dragon dances are all holiday’s luxuries.
You can also drop into local shops to buy delicate souvenirs, ingredients and teas unique to China. They are just the perfect reminders of your exciting journey in Glasgow Chinatown.
- Location: Cowcaddens
- Transport: Cowcaddens SPT Subway Station (the nearest subway station); New City Road stop & Rose Street stop (the nearest bus stops)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Lychee Oriental. This is a high-end Chinese restaurant with an elegant dining environment. Juicy Peking duck, barbecued pork, seafood are all its signature dishes. It also offers vegetarian and gluten-free food.
- Dumpling Monkey.It is a Chinese fast-food restaurant, mainly serving rice with meat and vegetables on top and various snacks.
- China Blue. It is characterized by an amazing fusion of Chinese dishes and Malaysian dishes and also provides various seafood.
Edinburgh Chinatown
Edinburgh boasts one of the best Chinatowns in the UK. Situated around the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Chinatown features a blend of Chinese, Malaysian and Thai cuisines. Despite its relatively small size, it is never considered inferior to its counterparts due to the diversity and exploration it offers. You can find many things unique to Chinese culture, including Chinese knots, red lanterns and couplets, in grocery stores in Chinatown in Edinburgh. You will also be treated to lively dragon dances and other performances and meet people dressed in Hanfu during Chinese New Year.
- Location: 3 Atholl Place, West End, Edinburgh EH3 8HP, UK
- Transport: Waverley Steps stop & Waterloo Place stop (the nearest bus stops)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Street of Beijing. This Chinese restaurant is famous for flagrant Jianbing Guozi and juicy Lamb Chops with Cumin Powder
- Panda Kitchen.It mainly serves authentic Sichuan cuisine. Stir-fried Sliced Beef with Pickled Peppers and Spicy Diced Chicken are among its most popular dishes.
- Sammy’s.In this spacious and comfortable Chinese restaurant the lobster pasta with cheese is highly recommended.
Leeds Chinatown
Leeds Chinatown is undoubtedly a wonderful Chinatown in the UK. When you head to the north of England, you will find a captivating area around Merrion Street and Vicar Lane that is brimming with Chinese tourists and Chinese culture. Red lanterns and the elaborate, ornate arches are truly a sight to behold. Leeds Chinatown is also dotted with some wonderful Chinese bakeries and herbal medicine shops.
- Location: 18 Chapel Hill, Morley, Leeds LS27 8JP
- Transport: Vicar Lane stop (the nearest bus stop)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Joy’s Kitchen. Both of its Sichuan cuisine and Cantonese cuisine are received with highly favourable reviews. Lang Lang,the world-renowned pianist, once dropped into this restaurant, which further proves that it is well worth a visit.
- Noodle House.The char siu and roast duck here are both juicy and fresh, whether served with rice or noodles.
- Wen’s Restaurant.This Chinese restaurant is a real feast for diners for its Gongbao Chicken Dice, Braised Streaky Pork in Chili Oil and pleasant jazz music.
Belfast Chinatown
Nestled in the city centre, Belfast Chinatown is an attractive Chinatown in the UK. It is bound by many attractions in the city. A number of Chinese restaurants reside around the Botanic area of Belfast. When you travel to Belfast Chinatown, you’ll definitely be impressed by the resilience and enthusiasm of Chinese immigrants. They brought traditions and cultures to the UK, which have naturally blended with Belfast charm over time. Chinese arches and sculptures are also a highlight in this area.
- Location: Botanic Ave
- Transport: Kennedy Centre stop (the nearest bus stops)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- This Chinese restaurant serves amazing Tofu, Green Pepper and Eggplant Stuffed with Shrimp Paste, and thegreat fried rice.
- Ting Yuxuan. This Chinese restaurant has three floors and offers traditional Chinese cuisine, fusion dishes. Its signature dishes include Xinjiang big plate chicken.
- Lee Garden.It features Hong Kong-style dim sum and dishes, including juicy and crispy roast duck.
Colchester Chinatown
Located in Exeter, England, Colchester Chinatown is a Chinatown in the UK that is worth mentioning. Although not as large as some, it is renowned for the ingenious fusion of traditional Chinese cultures and local charm. As you stroll around, don’t miss the restaurants’ classical elegance of the design, which adds a touch of the Orient to the area. You can also enjoy classic Beijing, Cantonese and Thai delicacies in this Chinatown.
- Location: 24 Osborne Street
- Transport: St John’s Street stop & Osborne Street stop (the nearest bus stops)
- Top restaurant recommendations:
- Chinatown Restaurant. You can enjoy fresh and delicious traditional Beijing, Cantonese, and Thai cuisines in this Chinese-style interior decoration.
- The Bamboo House. It offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery services and specializes in traditional Chinese cuisine, especially hot pot. You can even enjoy tea with a light flavour.
- Hong Kong Chef.Welcomed by both locals and tourists, this Cantonese restaurant offers delicious Cantonese cuisine, such as beef with chili peppers and crispy beef.
Places to Live near Chinatowns in the UK for Students
Every Chinatown in the UK keeps attracting students eager for a more diverse and memorable college life. Just imagine how wonderful it is to live around these areas. If you’re house hunting, uhomes.com can be your reliable assistant providing affordable and cozy houses. You can easily find student accommodations in London Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and many other popular cities.
Conclusion on Chinatowns in the UK
Any Chinatown in the UK is a vibrant cultural hub. From London’s bustling center to Colchester’s cozy enclave, they offer a mirror of Chinese culture. They feature a rich array of restaurants serving everything from delicate Cantonese dim sum to spicy Sichuan dishes. Whether you’re a food lover or a culture enthusiast, head to the various Chinatowns and immerse yourself in a great journey.
FAQ
Chinatown in London UK is located in London W1D 5PT and Gerrard Street, Soho, Westminster. Gerrard Place/Chinatown stop is the nearest bus stop and Leicester Square stop the nearest subway stop.
London Chinatown is the biggest Chinatown in the UK. It boasts a large number of Chinese – owned businesses and rich cultural activities. It is also widely recognized as the best Chinatown in the UK.
Chinatown is open all day every day, but the best visit time is from 06:00 am. – 01:00 pm when the area comes alive and becomes bustling with locals and tourists.
London Chinatown is famous for its authentic restaurants and grocery stores. Lively celebrations, like those for Chinese New Year, also offer visitors a rich and diverse cultural experience.
There are five major Chinatowns in England, namely, London Chinatown, Manchester Chinatown, Birmingham Chinatown, Liverpool Chinatown and Newcastle Chinatown.
