Chinatown, Manchester
Manchester's Chinatown is a vibrant ethnic enclave located in the city center, renowned as the second-largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom and the third-largest in Europe. This bustling area serves as a cultural and culinary hub, hosting an array of restaurants, shops, bakeries, and supermarkets. While it predominantly features Chinese establishments, Chinatown is also home to a diverse selection of Thai, Japanese, Nepali, Vietnamese, Singaporean, and Malaysian businesses, reflecting a rich multicultural atmosphere.
One of the most iconic symbols of Manchester Chinatown is the elaborate "paifang" archway situated on Faulkner Street. This traditional Chinese gateway is adorned with intricate designs of dragons and phoenixes, symbolizing prosperity and renewal. The arch was a gift from the Manchester City Council to the Chinese community, underlining the strong cultural ties between Manchester and its Chinese population. It was constructed in China, shipped to Manchester in three separate containers, and assembled on-site. The construction began during Christmas 1986 and concluded by Easter 1987, marking a significant cultural milestone for the community.
Another notable feature of Chinatown is the Guardian telephone exchange, a building now owned and utilized by BT for communications purposes. However, the structure's historical significance extends beyond its current use. Originally constructed atop an extensive underground bunker, this facility was built between 1949 and 1954 with funding from NATO. Designed as a fallout shelter, it was intended to protect officials during an atomic attack and contains over four miles of tunnels. The existence of this bunker was kept secret, with the media prohibited from reporting on it until 1967.
Together, these landmarks encapsulate both the cultural richness and historical depth of Manchester's Chinatown, making it not only a key destination for those seeking diverse culinary experiences but also for those interested in the unique history intertwined within its streets.
One of the most iconic symbols of Manchester Chinatown is the elaborate "paifang" archway situated on Faulkner Street. This traditional Chinese gateway is adorned with intricate designs of dragons and phoenixes, symbolizing prosperity and renewal. The arch was a gift from the Manchester City Council to the Chinese community, underlining the strong cultural ties between Manchester and its Chinese population. It was constructed in China, shipped to Manchester in three separate containers, and assembled on-site. The construction began during Christmas 1986 and concluded by Easter 1987, marking a significant cultural milestone for the community.
Another notable feature of Chinatown is the Guardian telephone exchange, a building now owned and utilized by BT for communications purposes. However, the structure's historical significance extends beyond its current use. Originally constructed atop an extensive underground bunker, this facility was built between 1949 and 1954 with funding from NATO. Designed as a fallout shelter, it was intended to protect officials during an atomic attack and contains over four miles of tunnels. The existence of this bunker was kept secret, with the media prohibited from reporting on it until 1967.
Together, these landmarks encapsulate both the cultural richness and historical depth of Manchester's Chinatown, making it not only a key destination for those seeking diverse culinary experiences but also for those interested in the unique history intertwined within its streets.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Manchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Chinatown on Map
Sight Name: Chinatown
Sight Location: Manchester, England (See walking tours in Manchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Manchester, England (See walking tours in Manchester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Manchester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Manchester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Manchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Manchester Historical Architecture Tour
Manchester鈥檚 architecture is rich in styles. Throughout centuries, the city has evolved in phases, each of which left its peculiar imprint on the city's architectural tapestry. Here, you can see medieval red-brick buildings coexisting harmoniously with concrete-and-glass structures from the modern era.
One notable landmark in Manchester is the Statue of Prince Albert, a regal monument... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One notable landmark in Manchester is the Statue of Prince Albert, a regal monument... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Edwardian Architecture Tour
A product of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester is noted for its warehouses, railway viaducts, cotton mills, and canals, reflecting the most ambitious and exciting phase of the city's history.
During the reign of King Edward VII, which spanned from 1901 to 1910, Manchester experienced a significant boom in architectural development. This period saw a shift towards more ornate and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
During the reign of King Edward VII, which spanned from 1901 to 1910, Manchester experienced a significant boom in architectural development. This period saw a shift towards more ornate and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Manchester Introduction Walking Tour
The seventh most populated city in England, Manchester is an important cultural, industrial and historic center.
The recorded history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort established circa 79 AD on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. Having been a manorial township throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester enjoyed rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The recorded history of Manchester began with the civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort established circa 79 AD on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. Having been a manorial township throughout the Middle Ages, Manchester enjoyed rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 10 Cafes and Sweet Shops in Manchester
Heading up Oldham Street from Picadilly Gardens you arrive at The Northern Quarter; the 鈥榗ool鈥� part of Manchester, think Brooklyn, Shoreditch, Le Marais; trendy young things with fancy haircuts frequent the coffee houses, boutique and vintage shops during the day and the bars once night-time...