Chinatown in London

London's had a Chinese community since the 19th century, originally they settled in the East End around Limehouse which is close to the old docklands area.
After the Second World War the number of Chinese immigrants began to increase and the community began to migrate west to Soho and put down roots in the area just south of Shaftsbury Avenue.

Today London’s Chinatown is centred on the pedstrianised Gerrard Street, a long strip of exclusively Chinese restaurants , shops and markets. Quite a few of the near by streets like Gerrard Place and Newport Place have a Chinese identity and the council has the street name signs in both English and Chinese but Gerrard Street is definitely the centre.

Considering the size of their mother country the Chinese are one of the smaller ethnic communities in London and certainly one that slips under the radar, you hardly ever see any media stories relating to them or hear Chinese people kicking up a fuss about their situation.

There are three traditional Chinese arches, one at each end of Gerrard street and one off a side street, that lead into Gerrard Street. Even though these are about 30ft high they are miniature versions of the real thing, apparently Gerrard Street is unable to take the weight of a full arch but Westminster Council is working with the London Chinatown Chinese Association and the Chinese Embassy to put a full size one at the junction of Wardour Street and Coventry Street.
When I was there today there was a lot of construction work going on up and down Gerrard Street putting in new paving.

The council is also talking about pedestrianising Lisle Street, the street south of Gerrard Street, and this would also help to boost the area for visitors, its a narrow road with quite a bit of traffic trying to go down it.

The London Chinatown Chinese Association also organises the Chinese New Year celebration’s in London with events in Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. Next year they’ll be the annual Chinese New Year festival and parade taking place on the 17th February 2007 celebrating the Year of the Pig.

Chinatown and Gerrard Street are in the heart of London’s West End, just off Shaftsbury Avenue. The nearest tubes are Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus and its the place to go for some authentic Chinese food.