Chinatown Gate, China Town

Chinatown Gate, China Town

Chinatown is an ethnic enclave in the City of Westminster, London, bordering Soho to its north and west, Theatreland to the south and east. The enclave currently occupies the area in and around Gerrard Street. It contains a number of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, souvenir shops, and other Chinese-run businesses. The first Chinatown was located in Limehouse in the East End.

The Chinatown Gate is a grand entryway into London’s lively Chinatown district and a cultural landmark. Boasting a tile roof and red pillars that lead into a vibrant area of red lanterns, noodle shops and street signs with Chinese script, the Chinatown Gate is a must-visit landmark on your way to explore the cultural area. Each year, roughly 17 million people pass through the Chinatown Gate to visit the cultural enclave and sample delicious Chinese foods. With attractions and dining for families and solo travellers alike, Chinatown is a popular destination for sightseeing and shopping

London’s original Chinatown dates back to the start of the 20th century, but after the Blitz of World War II, many of the shops and restaurants moved to other locations. The current Chinatown, located off Shaftesbury Avenue, was established in the 1970s. The Chinatown Gate was completed in 2016 and stands as one of the largest Chinese gates in the country. The Chinatown Gate marks the entry into Chinatown and its bustling restaurants and shops. The gate is designed with ornate features done in a traditional Qing Dynasty style that complements the stone lions, contemporary Chinese artwork and other traditional Chinese entrance points to the enclave.