Top 10 Chinatowns Around the World

With so many Chinese communities nestled in other countries, visiting one of these wonderful and friendly Chinatowns is almost like visiting China itself. If you would like to experience China, but a little closer to home, below is a list of the top ten Chinatowns:
Toronto: Running along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue, downtown Toronto's Chinatown is a wonderful and vibrant place to visit. Historically, this area was the central point for Chinese men who helped construct the Canadian Pacific Railway. Today, Chinatown in Toronto is filled with mouthwatering diverse restaurants that serve such exotic cuisines as Hunan, Cantonese, and Mandarin. As well, it is a great place to shop.
Vancouver: In Vancouver, Chinatown is located on Pender, Keefer, and Main streets. It is Canada’s largest Chinatown and you will find an array of grocery shops, chic restaurants, wonderful bakeries, a night market, and fancy boutique hotels. Make sure you check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at Carrall Street.
New York: Located on the Lower East Side, Manhattan's Chinatown is a thriving and bustling community. Historically, arrivals from China established shops as early as the mid-19th century making it one of the oldest ethnic Chinatowns.
San Francisco: San Francisco's Chinatown is said to be the largest outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. It lies between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street. Historically, Chinese immigrants crossed the Pacific to the USA during the mid-19th century and came into San Francisco. San Francisco's Chinatown is a very popular tourist destination.
Honolulu: One of the oldest in the United States, historic Honolulu's Chinatown is found on the island of Oahu. You will find fantastic restaurants, markets, and food vendors selling fresh, local produce.
London: London's Chinatown is an exciting community that is adorned with red lanterns and you can take in such sights as parades with lion and dragon dances, martial arts, acrobatics, and nearby opera and dance displays.
Paris: Situated at Paris’s centre 13th arrondissement, the Chinese Quarter, or Quartier Chinois, is recognized as Europe's largest Chinatown. You will enjoy many cultural attractions, great food, friendly people, and fantastic markets.
Bangkok: The Thai capital's Chinatown encompasses Yaowarat Road and its surrounding area in the Samphanthawong district. Chinatown offers a wide variety of delicious foods, trinkets, toys, antiques, clothes, and domestic products. Sunday market days are always exciting and busy.
Mauritius: The Mauritian Chinatown is located on Rue Royale in capital Port Louis. It is dotted with restaurants and is well known for the Chinese Spring Festival when Chinese dancers and musicians perform traditional Lion dances through the streets.
Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne's Chinatown runs along Little Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street. It is the oldest Chinatown in Australia and contains such attractions as restaurants, shops, and the Chinese Museum.
The culture of China has spread throughout the world with the establishment of vibrant and thriving Chinatowns. If you enjoy experiencing diverse and rich cultures, visiting one of the famous Chinatowns will make for a memorable travel experience. As well, it can be a lot cheaper than actually traveling to China.