China Town

Liverpool’s China town is home to a huge Chinese community. The entrance to China Town is marked by a procession of dragons leading up to it on Berry Street, and then the stunning Chinese Gate marks the start of China Town.
The gate itself stands 50 feet high and is elaborately decorated with over 200 dragons. It is the biggest of its kind outside china. The gate is stunning when the sun hits the ornate gold patterns within its structure. The whole thing appears to glisten and glow in the sunlight. It is truly beautiful. As a photographer I have taken many snaps of the arch, both in its entirety and of the finer details, and the shots are always fabulous, if I do say so myself!
The Chinese community in Liverpool is the biggest in Europe. The Chinese restaurants here are the best you will ever find, and the meals are generally inexpensive, even though their quality is second to none. The people here are always very welcoming and friendly and make you feel at home.

It baffles me that the magnificent gate dominating the top of Chinatown is only ten years old. Like the area itself, it feels like it’s been there forever.
Unlike the one in London, which at least has some corners to break it up and seem as large and sprawling as the Orient itself, standing beneath the gate in Liverpool means you can look right through to the other side, which can spoil the illusion somewhat. Also, I love how the streets encompassed are the least-​Chinese-​sounding words in existence– Knight, Duke, Nelson, was someone trying to force Englishness on the residents?
Of course, this is all just me being picky. Chinatown is the kind of place you’re glad your city has, especially a record-​breaking one such as this (it’s home to Europe’s oldest Chinese community, for one thing). Now is it just me, or would neighbourhoods based on other countries not be an incredible idea? I’ll get doodling blueprints on my Etch-​a-​Sketch.

I must admit and put my hands up and say that Liverpool’s China town arguably is better than Manchester’s. That is of minor importance however, what is of major importance is that it is a must visit place.
I have never kept it a secret my love for escapism and globalization. A healthy dose of China town is thus a natural high for me serving both of these dishes in plentiful portions. I love the feeling of being surrounded by all things Chinese in the heart of Liverpool. If you have an affinity with the oriental no doubt you will love the experiance. Even if you don’t you will still enjoy it.

I’m going to go all educational on you now and give you a few facts…
Did you know???
The China Town Arch is the biggest of its kind outside of China? Well it is. (And it kicks the ass of the arch in Manchester!)
There are 200 ornate dragons on that thing… Not that I’ve stood and counted!
If you look out for it a little further up on Berry Street is a Chinese lion which guards the gates.
Get your camera out and take some snaps of a beautifully ornate representation of Liverpool’s long Chinese history and culture.

Chinatown is a fantastic spectacle for the tourists and locals with the Chinese Arch being the main icon. The arch is proudly one of the largest and most attractive in the UK and was shipped in from Shanghai where it was built by craftsmen in 2000. Now a decade old, it has served Liverpool’s image well and kept in top condition thanks to those who’ve put in the effort to maintain it.
Liverpool as a matter of fact is actually a small Chinatown and mainly consists of restaurants. It cannot be compared to the likes of Chinatown in London which is completely of different class, though it can be said that Liverpool is home to one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe.

The beautifully archway leading into Liverpool’s China Town is the largest authentic Chinese archway outside of China. While the gates were designed, and pieces were built in Shanghai, they were reconstructed here in Liverpool by Chinese craftsmen.
Chinese sailors began settling in Liverpool in the 1860’s, and since then Liverpool’s China Town has grown to be one of the largest in the Europe.
Today, Liverpool’s China Town offers a fun experience in shopping and dining, with a variety of authentic ethnic restraints and family owned shops. While a lot of people complain that it’s not what they expected, or that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, I think you’ll find Liverpool’s China Town is worth a visit, especially if you haven’t visited other China Towns and you enjoy Oriental cuisine.
I tend to like the noodle shops/​cafes as I’m not big on hardcore Chinese food. But there’s so much variety you should find something you’ll like. I also like poking around the little gifty type shops.

The grand gates of China Town are situated at the top end of Duke Street, just next to the Blackie arts and community building. Liverpool has one of the oldest established Chinese communities in Europe and China Town is well worth a visit for a banquet at the end of a night out. There are five or six Chinese restaurants to your right as you walk through the decorated archways that lead to China Town; most are open past midnight for food.
We used to go for a banquet after a few drinks and we sampled a few of these restaurants. The food was great and the prices were very reasonable, it’s definitely worth a wander up there on a night out.
When there is a Chinese New Year celebration, you can hear the firecrackers from China Town from the bottom of Bold Street, and this is normally followed by a fantastic parade with free food and dragon dancers taking to the streets. This is one event in Liverpool’s annual calendar that is not to be missed!