Chinatowns of the world

What is a Chinatown?
This page list the Chinatowns covered in Chinatownology. The current list has 17 Chinatowns in 11 countries spread over Asia, Europe and USA. For those who want to know what is a Chinatown, this article gives an introduction.

This is a work in progress (WIP) list of Chinatowns and more Chinatowns will be added as we develop. Please join our mailing list if you like to get updated on our latest news, stories and events.

Archways
Archways are a common sight in most Chinatowns. It tells you alot about the local Chinese population and the society they lived in. In 2009, the most popular archway is in Washington Chinatown. This year, Chinatownology offers 3 categories to vote for in our 2010 archway poll.

washington dc chinatown archway paifang Washington DC
Chinatown
At the time of its construction, this Chinatown has the largest archway in the world. Today, it is still one of the most beautiful in the world.

Paris Chinatown
13 Arrondissement
This is the largest Chinatown in Continential Europe. Famous for its Chinese New Year parade.

Nankinmachi, 南京町,
Kobe Chinatown
Founded in 1868, it is not a very big Chinatown but has one of the most beautiful archways in the world.

kulalumpur chinatown Kuala Lumpur
Chinatown
A "double layer" Chinatown with piriated goods along the street and traditional businesses behind it.

cholon saigon chinatown Cholon: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Chinatown
A Chinatown that grew because of massacre of Chinese populations in northern Vietnam.

san francisco chinatown San Francisco
Chinatown
The largest and oldest Chinatown in North America. One of the temples in was believed to have predicted the outcome of the 1948 US elections.

Limehouse Chinatown
This is the first Chinatown in UK and began in 1860. By the 1950s, it has completed its historical mission and ceased to exist.

Geylang Chinatown
A new Chinatown in Singapore. It is the opposite of Official Chinatown; spontaneous, atmospheric and even authentic.

Vientiane Chinatown
A small Chinatown in central Vientiane set against the larger backdrop of new Chinese migrants from mainland China.

Manila Chinatown
Founded in 1594, the Manila Chinatown is one of the earliest and largest Chinatown in South East Asia.

uk chinatown London Chinatown
The second Chinatown of London that grew after WW2. In 2007, a plan was proposed to transform it into "Best Chinatown in the world".

Karachi Chinatown
A Chinatown that is not often heard of but yes, it does exist. No temples but lots of Chinese eating places and dentists.

Oakland Chinatown
A Chinatown that expanded greatly in the 1850s and whose early migrants faced great social challenges. Not touristy but authentic.

Singapore Chinatown
Created in 1822 by the British, this is the "Official" Chinatown of Singapore. It is one of the top tourist attraction in Singapore.

Yangon Chinatown
Although it is not officially known as a Chinatown, it is the main area where the Overses Chinese in Yangon have lived, built social institutions and continue to do so.

Yokohama Chinatown
Founded in 1859, it is the largest Chinatown in Japan and in Asia. It is also said to be the second largest Chinatown in the world.

Manchester Chinatown
The second largest Chinatown in UK and a “Chinese Village for the north of England”. It has a very impressive archway; used to be the largest untill overtaken by Liverpool Chinatown.

chinese shops in amsterdam chinatown Amsterdam Chinatown
Amsterdam Chinatown is one of the youngest Chinatown in Europe. Despite its "young" age, it is the home to the largest Chinese Buddhist monastery in Europe.