This Is How Chinatowns Look Around The World

San Francisco, USA

Image Source: Wikipedia

First up on our list In San Francisco. This Chinatown hosts the second biggest Chinese community outside of Asia. It also plays host to restaurants, banks, schools and bookstores. This place really hones in on the authenticity of the culture, in order to give visitors the best experience. Placed in one the iconic slanted roads of San Fran, this place is a must visit.

Toronto, Canada

Image Source: Wikipedia

Next up is Toronto in Canada. Although there are several Chinatowns in Toronto, this is the main and largest once. This particular one was built in the 60' s after the previous Chinatown was destroyed in order to build a new city hall. It has restaurants, Chinese grocery stores and grocery stores. However, due to the number of chinatowns, there are questions over authenticity.

Bangkok, Thailand

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Bangkok's Chinatown Is located in one of the oldest areas of the city. It has also been there since 1767. This Chinatown has food stalls, grocery stores, markets and Chinese shrines. Visibly this chinatown looks gorgeous, one of the more aesthetically pleasing ones. With its bright lights in the night time, this one is definitely a must visit when it comes to different Chinatowns.

Manila, Philippines

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Like San Francisco, Manila has one of the largest overseas Chinese populations. This Chinatown is also the oldest in the world, being created in 1594. This certain town has jewellers, street vendors, as well as Chinese restaurants. Although it has quite a random placement, this town still hits all the right spots. Like many others, definitely worth the visit.

London, England

Image Source: Time Out

This particular one based in the capital of England, is based in Gerrard street. Chinese immigrants started to move into this area in the mid 50's. It is the focal point of the London Chinese community, with it vibrant atmosphere and rich heritage. Being one of the more iconic ones on our huge list, this chinatown is an absolute necessity for chinatowns.

New York, USA

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Located in the southern part of Manhattan in New York. Like many others on this list, this Chinatown was created in the mid 19th century from Chinese immigrants. It offers a diverse range of cultural foods like Shanghainese and Cantonese. It also known for hosting its amazing festivals. With over 141,000 residents in the vicinity, the population of this on his huge.

Singapore, Singapore

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Located in the centre of the city, the access to this chinatown is next to none. Constructed in 1822 by Stamford Raffles, the original chinatown was divided into four zones, dependant on the different dialects from the surrounding areas. Fun (ish) fact, this chinatown used to be home to a plethora of gambling dens and other illegal activities. Still an interesting visit.

Vancouver, Canada

Image Source: Wikipedia

Here we have Canada's largest chinatown. surrounded by the financial and business districts. Hosting an absolutely huge Chinese population, it was inevitable for a chinatown to be naturally built up in the area. Being made in the 19th century by mainly male Chinese immigrants, this chinatown is at the height of Chinese authenticity. Although surrounded by tall basic buildings this is still a must visit.

Paris, France

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Next up we have the largest Chinatown in all of Europe. Named "Quartier Asiatique" this chinatown was born from the first wave of Asian immigrants into Paris in the 1970's. Later on the population continued to grow and is now again the biggest in Europe, attracting tourists from all over the world. The area also hosts Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian populations.

Melbourne, Australia

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In the central business district of Melbourne, with have our next chinatown which was born in the late 1850's. The core of the Chinese immigrants in Australia this chinatown plays host to authentic restaurants, clothes shops and supermarkets. Being in such an iconic city this chinatown naturally draws tourists towards it. This one is definitely a must visit.

Lima, Peru

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Named "Barrio Chino", this chinatown only consists of two blocks. Founded in the mid 19th century this small neighbourhood was later heavily damaged in the late 19th century due to the pacific war. This caused further decline to the neighbourhood, but in the present day this chinatown is now absolutely thriving. Drawing tourists from all the world to its authentic culture.

Havana, Cuba

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Next up is this chinatown in Cuba. With the iconic Paifang as the main entrance to the neighbourhood, this neighbourhood is rich in culture and especially authenticity. Founding in circa 1837, Chinese workers were sent over to work in sugar fields with over time with even more coming over, eventually leading to the cuban chinatown as we know it now.

Johannesburg, South Africa

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Not the most well known chinatown on our list, this neighbourhood is a very small one but is full of authentic culture. Hosting classic street markets and vendors whilst also playing hosts to authentic restaurants. The town however is known for having an amazing atmosphere but again it really prides itself on its authentic food and culture. This one is worth the visit if you're passionate about the culture.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Named "Zeedijk", we have our next chinatown in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. This neighbourhood is only one street but is rich in authenticity. Being one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam it has been around since 1544. This neighbourhood however isn't the biggest, only having a few restaurants and "Tokos", however it is said that it has some of the most authentic food and a must if you are a foodie. Again not the biggest or well known on our list but still worth the mention.

Kolkata, India

Image Source: Outlook India

A town that is no longer thriving like It used to, when this town was founded it was host to over 20,000 ethnic Chinese Indians, but since then the population has dropped significantly to just 2000. Like the Dutch chinatown, this neighbour now only hosts a few restaurants. The origin of this town is actually the tanning industry, which is what the neighbourhood was founded from.

Yangon, Myanmar

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"Tyoke Tan" is next up, it is the chinatown in Yangon, Myanmar. The town was actually created when the British expanded the city in the late 1850's. Yangon is actually the main city centre also which is interesting. Like many others on this list this town is only small but still has plenty of street markets and authentic cultural restaurants to really bring a proper experience to visitors.

Incheon, South Korea

Image Source: Wikipedia

Next is the Chinatown in Incheon, South Korea. Founded in 1884, it is the largest Chinatown in all of South Korea. Like a few others on this list, the entrance has a Paifang, which is a 10+ metre high Chinese style gate. This really adds to the feel of the neighbourhood. In the modern day, there are not many ethnic Chinese that actually live here but it still has authentic attractions and extremely tasty food places and restaurants.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Located in Petaling Street, and this is one of the smallest on our list, but that doesn't matter as it attracts the highest number of tourists out of the majority on this list. Not only tourists but has a high percentage of locals too. Like many others there are many street markets and restaurants, as well as authentic supermarkets and even clothing stores.

Yokohama, Japan

Image Source: Wikipedia

Next up we have the Yokohama Chinatown, being more than 160 years old this place only has a population of about three to four thousand. In the present day this number is even less, with very few ethnic Chinese people living there. It is now more of a tourist attraction. There are two hundred plus Chinese owned restaurants, street markets and themed shops in the area. This one is a fair size too with a square footage of 3,200.

Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Image Source: Wikipedia

Formerly known as Jalan Kampung Cina, we have the next chinatown in Kuala Terengganu. Founded in the early 1700's, this neighbourhood originate with over one thousand homes to ethnic Chinese. Now it just plays host to restaurants, shops and supermarkets. It was once destroyed due to a huge fire in the 1800's but is now back to its best. An absolute must visit.

Birmingham, England

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Known as the Chinese Quarter in Birmingham, this neighbourhood was founded in the the early 1960's and is located on Hurst Street. It was developed by Chinese migrants and has a strong heritage from Hong Kong. The neighbourhood became official in 1980 and now every year it hosts a huge Chinese new year event that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Georgetown, Malaysia

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With Georgetown being known as mainly a Chinese city, there are still boroughs of the city that are classed as Chinatowns. Each were developed at different periods over time. There are three different areas that represent three different ethnicities. The two separate areas didn't fully develop until the late 19th century. It still attracts many tourists each year and hosts the most authentic experience.

Manchester, England

Image Source: Wikipedia

Although classes as the second largest in the UK, this chinatown is not the biggest compared to others on this list. Located on just one street, the neighbourhood has a Paifang like many others on this list as its entrance. It does however have many Chinese restaurants and small supermarkets. Created in the 50's, this neighbourhood is in the heart of Manchester.

Liverpool, England

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Liverpool has a huge Chinese population, meaning it's very important to the city that the Chinatown is as authentic as possible. Being one of the larger ones in the UK. This neighbourhood plays host to many street markets, food places and authentic shops. It attracts tourists from all around the world and even attracts people to move to Liverpool to embrace the culture.

Newcastle, England

Image Source: Wikipedia

Next up is an unusual one due to the surroundings, with an outstanding view of Newcastle FC's St. James Park. The location is also on the edge of the shopping and commercial centre. It is only one of five chinatowns in England, with the other four being, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. The neighbour was found in 1962 and has since been a main tourist attraction in Newcastle.

Antwerp, Belgium

Image Source: Wikipedia

Located in Van Wesenbekestraat (but of a tongue twister). This chinatown supported the Chinese community that came over after the Second World War. The area plays host to a number of Chinese restaurants and has an array of Asian cuisines on offer. The food is known for being some of the most authentic food in Europe. You have to visit this Chinatown!

Belleville, France

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The one, yes, is in Paris, but is a separate neighbourhood to the main hub. A lot smaller than the main town, this one still has the same authenticity and maybe even provides a more intimate experience. The atmosphere proves that as well. Housing even more markets and stores, if you visit the main town, if you have time you have to go and visit this one too.

Brussels, Belgium

Image Source: Wikipedia

In the late fifties, male sailors would migrate over to Brussels to reinvent their lives with a fresh start, fast forward seventy years, there is now a thriving chinatown albeit a small one with a small community. Rich in culture and genuine authenticity, this town is a must visit and cannot be overlooked. A real underdog on our list of different Chinatowns around the world.

Athens, Greece

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Probably the least known on the list, is this little chinatown in the heart of Athens. With only a select few restaurants and market stores, this one is not the most authentic in comparison to the others on the list. However, it still puts forward a good attempt at an authentic experience for visitors as well as actually quite a good atmosphere. Must visit!

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Image Source: The non-hip hippies

Lastly on our list, is the Chinatown in Rotterdam, it actually comes in at the largest Chinatown in all of the Netherlands and puts a good attempt forward too. With the traditional Paifang at its entrance the town plays host to some of the most authentic Chinese food experiences as well as stores and supermarkets. Although not a mainstream one, it is still one of the most authentic.