China has a long and rich history of exploration and migration around the world. In fact, according to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, at the end of 2003, there were 36,116,521 Chinese people living in countries around the world and 35,485,946 at the end of 2004 (measured by the first 20 ranked locations).
A Chinatown is an urban region containing a large population of Chinese people within a non-Chinese society. The word "Chinatown" in Chinese means "The Street of the Tang People", with Tang referring to the Tang Dynasty, a period of Chinese history regarded by many people as the pinnacle in the Chinese civilization.
For many Chinese people, the original Chinatowns around the world were not started out of choice, but because of racial segregation, and oppression. In other places, they were created to bring a sense of home and community to strangers in a new land.
The early Chinese immigrants created small Chinatowns in which they opened their own stores and restaurants, set up temples, and formed different community support groups.
Whatever their origins, you can find a Chinatown in almost every major city in the world. They vary in size -- from a couple of streets to large, thriving cities within a city.
Visit any Chinatown in the world and you'll be treated to a banquet for your senses -- vibrant, shimmering silks that are sensuously soft against your skin, exotic spices and culinary delights to tempt your tongue along with a kaleidoscope of sounds, fireworks and music. Wander along the crowded streets and you'll find large pagoda-style arches, paper lanterns, Chinese dragons, beautiful temples, ethnic Chinese and other Asian restaurants and small businesses.
Here is a list of some of the best Chinatowns in the world:
San Francisco, California: The largest Chinatown on the West Coast, Chinatown is one of San Francisco's biggest tourist attractions. It is world-renowned for its exotic ambience. The history of this Chinatown dates back to the gold rush days of the mid 1800s. Although they were not allowed in the mines, Chinese immigrants built laundries and restaurants to see the growing city. Today, the area is about eight blocks long, and the best time to visit is usually mid-day. Don't miss the small exotic shops that you'll find on the narrow streets, to look for the best bargains. Here are some attractions of SF Chinatown : Bank of Canton, Cameron House, Canton Flower Shop, Chinatown Gateway, Churches, Great Star Theater, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Hotels, Library, Museums, Nam Kue Chinese School, Parking, Parks, Portsmouth Square, Restaurants, Streets, SW Hotel, YWCA.
New York City, New York: Found in lower Manhattan, Chinatown in New York takes up two square miles. It is the largest Chinatown in the U.S. Founded by Chinese sailors and traders in the mid 18th century; the population was small and transient. It wasn't until the Californian Gold Rush that large numbers of Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. After racial tension created problems in the West, immigrants moved back east for safety and employment. Today it's overcrowded and narrow streets are both a tourist attractions and home to the largest population of Chinese New Yorkers.
Read more at CHINATOWN CONNECTION
Recent Comments