Chinatown
3.5
About
In the heart of Lower Manhattan is this large Chinese enclave that is New York City's Chinatown. Here, you'll find a melting pot of Asian cultures—traditional dim sum, grocery stores, noodle houses, souvenir stalls, and bubble tea shops, plus modern concepts like cool speakeasies and bars. You can also head to Columbus Park to see locals practicing tai chi, playing chess, and going about their days. Take a guided tour of the area to learn more about Chinatown’s rich history, which often includes other nearby iconic districts like Little Italy and SoHo. – Tripadvisor
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Neighborhood: Chinatown
Bursting with an amazing array of sights, sounds, and smells on every block, a visit to Chinatown feels like entering a different world. It’s a colorful spectacle that gets even more crowded on weekends, when families stream in to enjoy huge dim sum feasts and to stock up at the markets on Mott Street. To take a break from the buzz, grab something sweet from one of the many bakeries in the area and head to Columbus Park, where many Chinatown residents exercise, play games, and chat the day away.
How to get there
- Grand St • 4 min walk
- Canal St • 5 min walk
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Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,771 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- lucycanSan Diego, California3,619 contributionsNice areaThis was my first time to this area. Quite close to City Hall and downtown. Seems like there are some good restaurants here and most cater towards locals. Lots of shops selling cheap crap too. And some nice markets but also lots of people selling fakes. Worth the time to walk through.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 20, 2023
- therichastillStevenage, United Kingdom3,355 contributionsA Brief VisitChinatown in New York City is very much like Chinatown in London or Toronto. There are plenty of restaurants to get something to eat as well as shops to buy Chinese souvenirs or quirky gifts. It's nice to get an idea of how different cultures live and what's on offer.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten December 10, 2023
- tinaNtravelSan Jose, California2,019 contributionsWorth a visitChinatown is quite large and has taken over quite a few blocks that had been Little Italy. There are many shops, small specialty grocery stores and restaurants. We took a walking tour through Chinatown and our tour guide said this is the cheapest place to buy NYC souvenirs. This is worth a visit and a stop for lunch or dinner.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 21, 2024
- Momof4Girls23Washington, Indiana240 contributionsDisappointingWe were with a group and decided to explore the area. I was excited until we started walking around. I was extremely underwhelmed. I'm not sure what we I expected, but I felt like it was a big waste of time. Had I known Little Italy was just around the corner, we would have gone there instead. If you happen to be nearby a quick little walk through is sufficient, but I wouldn't suggest purposely taking the time to specifically travel there.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 3, 2024
- Ilon TOttawa, Canada343 contributionsChina Town!Can't visit NYC without visiting one of the largest, original China Towns in the US! There is plenty of food, great shops and interesting bars. Amazing eats for *cheap* too! Escape to NYC to Escape NYC!Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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analytic10
Reno, NV273 contributions
Jan 2020
Vibrant interesting locality with tons of history. Need to follow one of the self guided tours step by step to really appreciate the history. The Musuem of the Chinese in America was unfortunately closed (mOnday second visit to CT) . Columbus Park on Sunday had the localc ommunity congregated to play Mahjong, cards and sing. The local unposh restaurants offer great cuisine at
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,603 contributions
May 2020
Chinatown has the largest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. Some 90,00 to 100,00 people of Chinse origin live here. It has dozens of Chinese restaurants and other shops. Chinatown is in the Lower East Side, near the old Jewish neighbourhood of Hester St. The Ghetto has few Jewish residents and there are few Italians left in Little Italy., but Chinatown gets larger and larger. Some 66 percent of Chinatown's residents are Asians. By the way, be careful selecting your accommodation, we had the worst hotel ever in Chinatown.
Written May 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanley H
Hong Kong, China9,367 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
The most well-known (I dare not say the largest) Chinatown in New York is Manhattan's Chinatown. And it all started when I met Mott Street. Why do I know Mott Street? Mainly because I once visited a high-end Chinese restaurant in Central that specializes in American-style Chinese food. The name is Mott 32. Legend has it that that number was the site of the first Chinese restaurant in New York City.
On that day, I also deliberately walked to the scene. The front door of No. 32 M Street had already turned into a gift shop selling Chinese goods.
Since my hotel is located on Bowery Street, I entered the core area of Chinatown from this direction. In fact, the scope of Chinatown can be said to start from the Bowery subway station in the north, to the Brooklyn Bridge in the south, from the Canal Street (NQRW line) subway station in the west to the East Broadway subway station in the east. Zhitou is a living community dominated by Chinese.
As a tourist, I only travel around the core area of Chinatown around Mott Street. It is inevitable that there will be many shops, and large grocery stores have everything you need. Vibrant East Coast seafood and fresh American fruits are displayed right out of the street, giving you a Hong Kong/Asian street market feel.
Ok! I came in the local evening, and my purpose of coming here was not only to visit Chinatown, but also to hunt for wild food. When I officially walked into Mott Street and the surrounding streets and alleys, it was really confusing to find a favorite restaurant. Slowly, slowly, I walked almost the entire Chinatown twice.
While looking for restaurants, I discovered that there are quite a few vegetarian restaurants in Chinatown. If you come with your wife, you really have a lot of choices.
In addition to daily necessities, Huayang grocery stores and restaurants, there are also many souvenir shops here. Buy a variety of American and New York boutiques. It can be said that this place is definitely a tourist place. Because I believe that many tour groups from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand and Malaysia will focus on activities in Manhattan’s Chinatown to buy the Statue of Liberty, presidential figures, I Love NY T-shirts, postcards, etc. The Souvenirs shop in Chinatown has everything you need.
On that day, I also deliberately walked to the scene. The front door of No. 32 M Street had already turned into a gift shop selling Chinese goods.
Since my hotel is located on Bowery Street, I entered the core area of Chinatown from this direction. In fact, the scope of Chinatown can be said to start from the Bowery subway station in the north, to the Brooklyn Bridge in the south, from the Canal Street (NQRW line) subway station in the west to the East Broadway subway station in the east. Zhitou is a living community dominated by Chinese.
As a tourist, I only travel around the core area of Chinatown around Mott Street. It is inevitable that there will be many shops, and large grocery stores have everything you need. Vibrant East Coast seafood and fresh American fruits are displayed right out of the street, giving you a Hong Kong/Asian street market feel.
Ok! I came in the local evening, and my purpose of coming here was not only to visit Chinatown, but also to hunt for wild food. When I officially walked into Mott Street and the surrounding streets and alleys, it was really confusing to find a favorite restaurant. Slowly, slowly, I walked almost the entire Chinatown twice.
While looking for restaurants, I discovered that there are quite a few vegetarian restaurants in Chinatown. If you come with your wife, you really have a lot of choices.
In addition to daily necessities, Huayang grocery stores and restaurants, there are also many souvenir shops here. Buy a variety of American and New York boutiques. It can be said that this place is definitely a tourist place. Because I believe that many tour groups from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand and Malaysia will focus on activities in Manhattan’s Chinatown to buy the Statue of Liberty, presidential figures, I Love NY T-shirts, postcards, etc. The Souvenirs shop in Chinatown has everything you need.
Written April 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Omarimore
Baltimore, MD7 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
I think that it is a must go place to visit while in NYC. Wander a bit, buy some cheesy souvenirs, peer inside Chinese markets and fish stores. Lower your expectations as a tourist because it is a community where people live and spend their every day life so they don’t owe you anything as a visitor. That being, explanations for what the markets sell, over welcoming greetings in stores, etc. There are wonderful restaurants to grab a bite in or have a snack.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,019 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Chinatown is quite large and has taken over quite a few blocks that had been Little Italy. There are many shops, small specialty grocery stores and restaurants. We took a walking tour through Chinatown and our tour guide said this is the cheapest place to buy NYC souvenirs. This is worth a visit and a stop for lunch or dinner.
Written April 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,603 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
New York's Chinatown is a thriving neighborhood on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Chinatown is a community center for Asian people, it attracts many new immigrants. Chinatown has many authentic Chinese restaurants, we had lunch with some friends who live nearby, it was a great meal, and the bill was modest.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MisterUserName
Atlanta, GA2,024 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
I wanted to visit Chinatown for some really good Chinese food. Walked from Times Square and it was nice and scenic. Saw a lot of interesting shops and restaurants and eventually picked Shanghai 21 for lunch after the first two or three places said CASH ONLY…
We went during the day, but I wish it was later during the evening to take better pics with all the lights and lanterns. Still able to take great pics during the day.
It’s so much bigger than Koreatown and much more to see and do
We went during the day, but I wish it was later during the evening to take better pics with all the lights and lanterns. Still able to take great pics during the day.
It’s so much bigger than Koreatown and much more to see and do
Written November 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TIDTraveller
reading, england64 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We got a cab here to eat out. It’s different to London Chinatown where the restaurants are all together and you can just walk in. We looked here on trip advisor for the best recommendations but those with good reviews had a 40 minute wait. Those with less good reviews (including a worm in their noodles) were empty. We ended walking round then decided to go to the West Village for dinner. Also lots of people selling fake designer products behind the vegetable stalls!
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑜 𝐷'𝐴𝑔𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑜 🇮🇹
Avezzano, Italy17,610 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Coming from Canal Street, shops and restaurants with Chinese writing welcome you to one of the most famous and frenetic neighborhoods in the city. Except for the picturesque fruit and vegetable stalls, I thought it was a more characteristic neighbourhood, the numerous shops sell the usual junk and it also appeared to me to be a scruffy area. However, I recommend taking a tour, even a quick one, if only to complete your visit to the city as a whole
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ceetje01
The Netherlands525 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Visited a small part of China town. Very nice, especially the little park we ended up at. Suddenly we were really in China: people were playing sports, playing board games, singing, making music. Very nice to see.
Written August 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola!!!
Todo el Barrio (serán 200 manzanas) está colmado de negocios de comestibles, recuerdos y Restoranes que están abiertos todos los días.... Suerte en tu viaje...!!!
Written January 15, 2024
What time do the shops close in Chinatown? Are the open in the evening?
Written August 29, 2021
Various times, there are dozens of places here. Most are open into the evening. All the restaurants are
Written August 30, 2021
Its a few Blocks and is accessible to see whole area on foot. good dining and shopping area and site seeing as well.
Written January 23, 2020
How can I get to Chinatown from Battery Park on the subway?
Written May 17, 2019
Check out the app
Citymapper
That’s how we made our way around the city.
Written May 18, 2019
Bonjour
Je me rend à New-York en septembre et je compte me rendre au Chinatown. Il y a t’il un jours de la semaine à privilégier?
merci pour vos réponses.
Written March 21, 2019
Je suis désolee, je ne sais pas si il y a un jour especial por visiter Chinatown. Mais ce Tous les jours overte.
Written May 8, 2019
Upper Fifth Avenue by the University Club and by the Plaza Hotel. This is uptown. If downtown, by Canal Street and Mulberry Street. These are the places where all the tourists hang out.
Written December 31, 2018
I am coming to new York for first time in august staying at holiday inn by central park how far away is Chinatown from there? Any info helps
Written June 26, 2018
You best bet is to take the A,E,C, N, or R subways to Canal Street. From Canal Street, walk down to Mott Street which is the traditional heart of Chinatown.
Some good restaurants for a first timer to the city are 4-5-6 Restaurant and Wonton Noodle Garden both on Mott Street and if you want Dim Sum, try Golden Unicorn on East Broadway or Dan Jing on Elizabeth Street. Sun Sai Gai on Canal Street is good for snacks and simple meals. Check out 'DiningonaShoeStringinNYC' for cheaper places to eat if you are on a budget.
There is a cheap dumpling house on Henry Street called Dumplings where everything is between $1.00-$5.00.
Also check out the Museum of Chinese Americans when you are in Chinatown. It is very interesting.
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Written June 26, 2018
Fala meu amigo, vc considera perigoso hospedar-se por Chinatown?
Written June 8, 2018
Fica tranquilo. Onde ficamos e andamos tudo a pé, nada de anormal.
Written June 9, 2018
Paula, hospedar-se por Chinatown é perigoso?
Obrigado!
Written June 8, 2018
O lugar em si, te deixa um pouco apreensivo. Eu optei por tomar mais cuidado do que se eu estivesse mais no centro da cidade.
Written June 8, 2018
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