London Free Attractions- #6 - Chinatown

伦敦華埠
Located just north of Leicester Square in the Soho district is the area known as "Chinatown", home, as the name suggests, to a large Chinese and East Asian community. Within this area is a number of Chinese restaurants, shops, bakeries, and other types of Chinese run businesses such as those selling traditional medicines. For lovers of Chinese food then this is the place to go to eat, with around 80 restaurants spread across the streets. A whole array of different foods are served from all you can eat buffets to more exclusive and up market eateries, meaning all budgets are accommodated for. Be warned though, at peak periods they do get very busy and despite the large choice there are still queues stretching outside the doors of the popular restaurants.

However, even if food is not on your agenda Chinatown still has a lot to offer the visitor . The area is a hive of activity and colour, particularly to be witnessed on an evening with its bright lights and it vividly coloured decorations all around. Taking a leisurely stroll round the streets is fascinating, particularly on your first visit, taking in all the smells and seeing the tradition of hanging recently cooked ducks and squid in the windows. A large section also have the chefs cooking in the front window making this an attraction in itself.  Whatever you do make sure you have your camera at hand when walking through.

For the best experience of this area the time to visit is for the Chinese New Year celebrations which occurs in January or February depending on the year. The decorations are bigger, more vibrant and the place is alive. Brightly decorated Chinese lanterns are hung round the streets, together with traditional dragon and Lion decorations, the place really is awash with colour. London hosts a special event on the weekend around the new year and although the streets are difficult to get around due to the large numbers of people it is more than compensated for by the events occurring. Most restaurants set up stalls on the path outside their shops, selling all types of food at reasonable prices.

The highlight of the occasion is the New Year Parade,  performers in bright costumes carry out traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances working their way around the area heading towards Trafalgar Square where the celebrations continue on stage with live music and dancers. In Chinatown itself the ceremonial animal icons visit each of the local establishments to bring luck for the coming year and to ward off evil spirits.

This is a fantastic event done in the true traditional Chinese way!!!