Chinatown London, London — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

London's Chinatown is a compact, colourful neighbourhood centred on Gerrard Street in the West End, just a minute's walk from Leicester Square. It's one of the most visited spots in central London and has been the heart of the city's Chinese community since the 1970s. The area's Chinese connection actually started in the East End, around Limehouse, where Chinese sailors settled in the 19th century. After the Limehouse Chinatown was largely destroyed during the Blitz, the community gradually shifted westward. By the 1970s, Gerrard Street and the surrounding lanes had become the new centre, with restaurants, supermarkets, and businesses catering to the growing Chinese and Southeast Asian population. Today, Chinatown covers several pedestrianised streets decorated with traditional Chinese gates, red lanterns, and bilingual signage. The main gate on Wardour Street was erected in 2016 and is one of the largest Chinese gates outside of China. The area comes alive during Chinese New Year, when tens of thousands pack the streets for lion dances, firecrackers, and food stalls. Beyond the restaurants, Chinatown has bakeries, herbal medicine shops, and supermarkets where you can find ingredients from across East and Southeast Asia. It's also one of the best areas in London for late-night dining. If you're on a Questo quest through London's West End, Chinatown is a stop where the challenge might involve reading a sign, spotting a detail on the gates, or counting the lanterns overhead.