Like any other major city in the world, New York City boasts of its own Chinatown located in lower Manhattan and is one of the most expansive of its kind in the United States. This comes as no surprise since New York City holds the most number of Chinese immigrants in the world numbering at more than 600,000. The lower Manhattan Chinatown was established in the 1870s and is now a burgeoning tourism and is a distinct tourism and commercial destination in New York. The unique neighbourhood is a stone’s throw away from other famous neighbourhoods such as the Lower East Side, Soho and Tribeca.

Just like any ethnic communities, the main attraction in Chinatown is its gastronomic offerings with hundreds of restaurants boasting of authentic Chinese cuisine. The best way to go on a food trip here is by foot as many of the most interesting and distinct culinary destinations are hole-in-the-walls. Visitors can also delight in other Asian fare hailing from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysian and Japanese just to name a few.

Other commercial establishments found in this quaint Chinese enclave include clothing stores, jewelry shops, herb and spices stores as well as shops that sell martial arts equipment.

Aside from food, visitors can also wander around Chinatown and enjoy the charming architecture. A statue of Lin Ze Xu stands strong in Chatham Square which is also the site of a memorial that pays tribute to the Chinese soldiers who lost their battling for the United States in World War II. Those who would like to relax in vast open greenery can go to Columbus Park, the largest piece of green space in Chinatown. Here, tai chi classes are held every morning. This park is also the setting for many Chinese celebrations.

Other notable structures found in Chinatown include the biggest Buddhist worship place in New York, the Mahayana Buddhist Temple; the first Catholic Church in New York City build in 1801, the Church of Transfiguration; and the most antiquated row house in the state, the Edward Mooney House.