Ultimate Guide to Exploring Chinatown Neighborhood

Overview of Chinatown in NYC

If you’re planning on visiting New York City this year, chances are you’ll want to check out the bustling area of lower Manhattan known as Chinatown, a vibrant cultural cross-section of New York City and Chinese immigrant lifestyles. This district features an array of excellent restaurants, affordable shops, and unique goods stores.

Since the late 1870s, Chinese immigrants have been settling in the New York City area. Despite the Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited the influx of Chinese nationals, the community and geography of Manhattan’s Chinatown have grown consistently throughout the city’s history. Notably, since 1965, when immigration quotas were lifted, the immigrant populace has surged. The census data from 1980 indicated that New York’s Chinatown is now the largest Chinese American settlement in the United States.

The streets of Chinatown are ideal for leisurely wandering—there are numerous fabulous stores offering Asian groceries and unique goods that make for great souvenirs. Moreover, the sometimes aromatic seafood markets are worth exploring. When you get hungry, you will find many options for delicious, budget-friendly food representing various Chinese cuisines, including restaurants specializing in Dim Sum, Cantonese cuisine, congee, and seafood.

For assistance, there is an Explore Chinatown Info Kiosk located on Canal at Walker & Baxter. The kiosk operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and until 7 p.m. on weekends, featuring bilingual staff who provide free Chinatown maps, guides, and brochures.

Getting to Chinatown: Subways, Bus, or Walking

Chinatown in Manhattan extends from Essex Street to Broadway Avenue and from Grand Street to Henry Street and East Broadway, providing a variety of public transit options for accessing this culturally rich area.

In terms of MTA trains, you can hop on the 6, N, R, Q, or W trains to the Canal Street Station; the B or D trains to Grand Street Station; or the J, M, or Z trains to Canal & Centre Street or Chambers Street Stations, allowing you to step right into the heart of Chinatown’s bustling streets.

Alternatively, taking the M15 bus down 2nd Avenue to Chatham Square, the M102 and M101 buses south on Lexington Avenue to Bowery Street and Chatham Square, or the M6 bus running south on Broadway to Canal Street is also convenient.

Driving, or using a cab or Uber/Lyft service, is also an option. However, keep in mind that cab fare can add up quickly in this busy section of Manhattan. Don’t be surprised if you encounter slow-moving traffic; it might sometimes be faster to walk. Consequently, if you find yourself stuck, don’t hesitate to ask the driver to let you out early so you can explore on foot.

Attractions, Tours, Restaurants, and Shops in Chinatown

Located just south of Little Italy, Chinatown boasts a host of incredible attractions, shops, and restaurants, along with specialty tours aimed at familiarizing visitors with this unique neighborhood. Many buildings in Chinatown feature Asian-inspired facades, complete with pagodas and tiled roofs, creating a bustling atmosphere. Among Chinatown’s architectural treasures are the Church of the Transfiguration and the Mahayana Buddhist Temple.

Several tours are available to guide you through this vibrant neighborhood, including “Explore Chinatown with Foods of New York,” “Discover Chinatown” with Enthusiastic Gourmet, “Immigrant New York” with Big Onion Tours, and walking tours with the Museum of Chinese in the Americas. Many of these tours will take guests to some of the area’s best restaurants and popular spots for tasting Dim Sum, a beloved Chinese staple.

Other points of interest in the area include Chatham Square, Columbus Park, Five Points, the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, the First Shearith Israel Cemetery, and the Edward Mooney House. Additionally, you’ll find great food shopping opportunities at Kam Man Food Products, Chinatown Fish Markets, and a plethora of other stores listed on the Chinatown Shopping Directory.