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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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,433 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Catherine CSingapore, Singapore28 contributionsfriendly neighbourhoodpeople in chinatown in friendly. many eateries around, especially the bakery shops. authentic cantonese bread and pastries. very fresh and good deals in fruits along the streets. fresher than in supermarket. love the whole are and vibe is asesome.Visited June 2023Written June 18, 2023
- Julia sPhoenix, Arizona6 contributionsDim sum.Nee hao ma Kyae kyaes'. I have been writing a lot lately; and my happiness is always Thinking of you. That; I ended up in Phoenix; Arizona since last June. Was cooking; washing Chinaware; and Cleaning. but; I checked back in at Cass. For the reason; any of you could kind to Contribute; a room; or a basement; or a Garage would be kindly appreciated. please write me back once you receive my message. shae shae nee thaw kai shaut. Was shopping in Denver; Colorado for about five years at; Pacific ocean marketplace. And; I found Fry's in Downtown; here in Phoenix. Fried Dumplings; Chicken lo mein; and Tariyaki Chicken.Visited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten October 1, 2023
- lucycanSan Diego, California3,495 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 Kingdom2,961 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, California1,978 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
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
3,926 reviews
Excellent
783
Very good
1,154
Average
1,238
Poor
479
Terrible
275
analytic10
Reno, NV274 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, Australia13,356 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.
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, CA1,978 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, Australia13,356 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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,356 contributions
Dec 2020
Chinatown has the biggest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere, and the largest outside Asia. It has lots of Chinese restaurants to choose from and many Asian grocery stores. You can wander around for a few hours, but it is utilitarian rather than attractive.
Written December 30, 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.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK2,961 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Chinatown 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.
It's nice to get an idea of how different cultures live and what's on offer.
Written December 10, 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.
Andy
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Probably the worst bubble tea I’ve had in a long time around the world. Ordered the black tea milk tea and Thai milk tea and both were awful. The Thai milk tea in particular tastes like water even with 50% sugar and they use cooking milk to make it. The tapioca pearls / boba are overwhelmingly sweet and had a crunchy texture. There are a lot of other choices nearby that are both better and cheaper, and I would suggest avoiding this shop.
Written January 1, 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.
Bowmanator22
Charlotte, NC5,336 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Definitely a happening place! So much to see, but it is naturally crowded with tourists. The variety of restaurants and storefronts could keep someone busy for hours. Definitely worth another visit to check out a restaurant or two.
Written September 17, 2022
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.
Rocio r
44 contributions
Hola! Abre los domingos?
OscarAbella
Villa Ramallo, Argentina1,210 contributions
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...!!!
marianna S
Kentwood, MI16 contributions
What time do the shops close in Chinatown? Are the open in the evening?
Northern_Traveler00
California77,019 contributions
Various times, there are dozens of places here. Most are open into the evening. All the restaurants are
How many blocks is china town?
Jacqueline Jones
Rochester, NY35 contributions
Its a few Blocks and is accessible to see whole area on foot. good dining and shopping area and site seeing as well.
filthiestfish
Croydon, UK1,538 contributions
How can I get to Chinatown from Battery Park on the subway?
Susan N
Inman, SC641 contributions
Check out the app
Citymapper
That’s how we made our way around the city.
Oceane Lnl
43 contributions
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.
Andrés SG
Estepona, Spain148 contributions
Je suis désolee, je ne sais pas si il y a un jour especial por visiter Chinatown. Mais ce Tous les jours overte.
best place for knock off hand bags
Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ5,054 contributions
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.
kemdoll
rochester, mn2 contributions
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
Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ5,054 contributions
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!
BolinhoRSO
Rio de Janeiro, RJ4 contributions
Fala meu amigo, vc considera perigoso hospedar-se por Chinatown?
Maria Bernadete Malerbo
Mexico City, Mexico205 contributions
Fica tranquilo. Onde ficamos e andamos tudo a pé, nada de anormal.
BolinhoRSO
Rio de Janeiro, RJ4 contributions
Paula, hospedar-se por Chinatown é perigoso?
Obrigado!
Leandro D
Irati, PR872 contributions
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.
Chris C
Ogden, UT47 contributions
My first time to visit China Town, what is a good authentic restaurant that is moderately priced? Any recommendations?
Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ5,054 contributions
The two I enjoy going to are 456 Restaurant on Mott Street and Wonton Noodle Garden also on Mott Street. The good thing about Wonton Noodle Garden is that if you have a cold, their Cantonese Wonton Soup with Roast Pork will kill any germ inside of you. 456 Restaurant has excellent Soup Dumplings and their Shredded Pork with Plum Sauce is excellent. Sun Sai Gai on Canal Street is also good for Roast Pork Buns and other snacks and Sweets Bakery across the street from them has the best sugar donuts, chocolate donuts and roast pork buns. This is more Chinese-American cooking or Hong Kong cooking though. You might not want to eat the authentic stuff unless you like tripe or tongue, which most people don't like.
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