Chinatown

Chinatown, in Liverpool

The Chinatown of Liverpool is the oldest Chinese district of Europe, heir of a Chinese presence born from the maritime links of the nineteenth century. The Liverpool audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this lively district, marked by its monumental Chinese arch, the largest outside China, offered by the twin city of Shanghai, symbol of the old links between Liverpool and Asia.

The oldest Chinese district of Europe

Here you are in the Chinatown of Liverpool, that has the particularity of being the oldest Chinese district of Europe. Its presence goes back to the middle of the nineteenth century, when the first maritime lines linking directly Liverpool to China saw the arrival of Chinese sailors, some of whom settled durably in the city. Over the decades, a true community formed, making this district a place of life, commerce and culture. Today, the entrance of the district is marked by a magnificent Chinese arch, or paifang, richly adorned with dragons and bright colours. Fifteen metres high, it is the largest Chinese arch located outside China. It was offered by Shanghai, twin city of Liverpool, and assembled by artisans come specially from China, like a strong symbol of the friendship between the two port cities. By crossing this gate, you discover restaurants, Asian supermarkets, shops and façades with bilingual inscriptions, in a warm atmosphere. The district comes alive most particularly at the Chinese New Year, celebrated here with pomp, dragon and lion dances, firecrackers and festivities that attract a numerous crowd. A witness of the maritime and cosmopolitan history of Liverpool, Chinatown recalls that the city was, at all times, a crossroads of peoples and cultures come from all over the world. A historic district and a gate on Asia, Chinatown is a fine stop of the discovery of Liverpool.

What to see

Here you discover the oldest Chinese district of Europe, born in the nineteenth century from the maritime links with China; its entrance is marked by a magnificent arch, or paifang, of fifteen metres, the largest outside China, offered by the twin city of Shanghai, and the district comes alive with restaurants, shops and Chinese New Year festivities. Chinatown is a cosmopolitan district of Liverpool. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Chinatown of Liverpool lies south of the centre, near the Anglican cathedral, reachable on foot. It is a district in free access, particularly lively at the Chinese New Year; its restaurants and shops follow their own hours, which vary. You discover it during a walk, passing under its great arch.

Why is the Chinatown of Liverpool famous?

Because it is the oldest Chinese district of Europe, born in the middle of the nineteenth century from the arrival of Chinese sailors by the first maritime lines linking Liverpool to China; its entrance is marked by a monumental arch of fifteen metres, the largest outside China, offered by the twin city of Shanghai, and the district comes alive particularly at the Chinese New Year.

Where is Chinatown in Liverpool?

South of the centre of Liverpool, near the Anglican cathedral, in England.