New York City Chinatown

The basics

Chinatown offers something for nearly everyone. Bargain for not-quite-right perfumes and handbags, dine on dim sum at an authentic Chinese tea house, shop for exotic Chinese antiques, find unusual ingredients in the Asian food markets to cook pork buns at home, and discover more than 150 years of history and Chinese culture at the Museum of Chinese in America and the Mahayana Temple, the city’s largest Buddhist temple. Columbus Park is a great place for a picnic after grabbing food from a street vendor.

Guided New York City Chinatown tours with a food theme are an excellent way to explore the neighborhood and learn about the Chinese community who call it home. Most food tours are led by Chinese-speaking guides who know the neighborhood's best food options, ranging from popular restaurants on bustling Mott Street to hidden stalls you’d never find on your own. For example, on the popular Secret Food Tour of Chinatown and Little Italy you’ll get to dine at spots where locals outnumber tourists, tenfold. Private or small-group tours often combine routes in Chinatown and the adjacent neighborhoods of SoHo and Little Italy.

Things to know before you go

• Chinatown is a great place to practice your Cantonese or Mandarin; there is also an increasing number of Fuzhounese-speaking residents.

• For a dim sum meal, unless you have a party large enough to fill a traditional oversized table, expect to share a communal table with other diners.

• Although more Chinatown businesses are starting to accept credit cards, some only accept cash or give discounts for paying in cash.

• You’ll find plenty of deals on designer bags, shoes, belts, and even “Apple” products on Canal Street; but keep in mind many of these goods are counterfeit.

• New York City actually has two Chinatowns; you’ll find the other one, which is even larger, in Flushing, Queens.

How to get there

New York’s Chinatown is centered on Canal Street, the Bowery, Worth Street, and Baxter Street. It’s bordered by Tribeca, the Lower East Side, Little Italy, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Take the B or D subway and get off at Grand Street. The M9, M15, and M103 MTA buses traverse the neighborhood as well.

When to get there

While most stores and restaurants keep regular business hours, Chinatown is located in the City That Never Sleeps. It always seems abuzz with some kind of activity, day or night. If you’re in search of a dim sum meal, you’ll find the freshest and best selection in the morning (as dim sum is typically eaten for breakfast).

Shopping in Chinatown

Next to eating, the best Big Apple Chinatown experience is shopping. Stroll your way down Canal Street between Broadway and Mulberry Street for the best stretch of sidewalk shopping, including knock-offs of all shapes, styles, and sizes. Other popular stops include Chinese candy stores, enormous Asian groceries, and herbal medicine shops. Chinatown also has several art galleries where you can purchase both traditional and contemporary Chinese art.

Ways to explore

The neighborhood spans about 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) in Lower Manhattan—perfect for walking and people-watching. You can start from Mott Street and explore on your own, but walking tours help you hit the highlights efficiently. Food tours are especially popular, offering the chance to sample local specialties and discover hidden gems—some even include treats from nearby Little Italy. Bus tours can save time, but they usually stick to the main streets, so they’re less immersive than other options.

Accessibility

Generally, New York City bus tours are wheelchair accessible. Some areas of the neighborhood may have uneven surfaces that could be challenging for wheelchair users.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Cash for some food stalls, an extra bag to carry purchases

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

Littering, smoking in parks, blocking sidewalks

Amenities

Restaurants and cafés, public restrooms, info kiosk on Baxter Street

Address

Chinatown, in Lower Manhattan, is easily accessible by public transportation, and you can walk there from SoHo, the Lower East Side, and Little Italy. Due to busy streets and limited parking, driving is generally not recommended—taxis, rideshares, or public transit are more convenient ways to visit.

Driving

From Midtown Manhattan, take 7th Avenue south and continue on Varick Street to Canal Street. Head east and continue until you reach the heart of Chinatown around Mott and Pell Streets.

Public transportation

The closest subway stations are Canal Street (6, N, Q, R, W, J, Z), Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall (4, 5), and Grand Street (B, D). Other trains will take you nearby as well, including the A, C, E, and 1 to Canal Street.

Best times to visit

Visit around midday, when the neighborhood starts to come alive. Chinatown’s nightlife is often overlooked, but it offers plenty of late-night spots, from karaoke bars to after-hours restaurants.

Best days to visit

The neighborhood is rarely quiet—but on weekdays Monday through Thursday you’ll encounter fewer lines and crowds.

Best months to visit

The spring and early fall, when the weather is mild and comfortable, are good times to see NYC. It’s also great to experience Chinatown during the Lunar New Year in the late winter and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Special events

Chinese New Year, usually celebrated in February, is the neighborhood’s biggest event, featuring lion and dragon dances and other traditions. Be sure to check dates in advance.