15 Things To Do In Chinatown London For Your Next Trip!

Activities To Do In Chinatown London

Visit The Four Gates, Shop for Traditional Goods, karaoke at Plum Valley, Take a Photo Tour, Explore Chinese Art at CAN, Visit Blue Post, Visit Opium & more

Chinatown in the heart of London is a bustling area full of authentic Asian restaurants, shops, cafes, and pubs. People from all over the world come here to indulge in its selection of exciting things to do in Chinatown London that can leave them with a bagful of memories.

Tasting a variety of delectable cuisine at its diverse eateries and restaurants makes the journey enjoyable while enjoying a cocktail or beer at one of its vibrant pubs or bars is absolutely fun. The major supermarkets offer a vast selection of Chinese knick-knacks, gifts, and many other things. Just strolling through Chinatown in London is also a delight. From two stone lions gifted by China to contemporary sculptures and four gates that mark the entrance, each artwork is a sight to behold, particularly the fourth gate on Wardour Street and the 1888 mural at the Horse and Dolphin yard. For those looking to enhance their trip to Europe, exploring London's Chinatown adds an extra layer of cultural immersion and excitement.

Attending the Chinese New Year festivities will leave you in the wonder of the vibrant paper lantern decorations, parades, music, dance, and delectable food. All of the fun and fascinating activities to do in Chinatown London can make for an entertaining and enjoyable trip.

Here are some of the best things to do in Chinatown London:

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01

Shop For Traditional Goods

Shopping is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Chinatown London if you want to experience some retail therapy while also finding some bargains.

From spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, cosmetics, Chinese-inspired trinkets, and gifts to home decor items, you will find everything here.

Shop at New Loon Moon, Lucky Foods, or SeeWoo supermarkets for fruits, vegetables, and spices, or go to Golden Gate Cake Shop or Kowloon bakery for delicious pineapple buns and custard tarts.

Sample mini taiyaki at Chinatown Bakery and try stuffed soft-serve matcha ice cream at Bake.

Check out the Asian cosmetics and skincare range at P2Bus and Oseyo and shop for paper lanterns, Chinese clothing and knick-knacks, Maneki-neko, and many other items from shops dotting the streets of Chinatown London

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02

Visit The Four Gates

The four Paifangs (archways) that stand on the boundaries of Chinatown London make for a great photo backdrop when strolling through Chinatown.

The first three gates, built in 1980, are located on Gerrard Street and impress visitors with their stunning design and architecture.

The fourth gate on Wardour Street gate was constructed in 2016 as a tribute to the influential Chinese Qing dynasty.

Exploring the fourth gate is one of the most intriguing things to do in Chinatown London since it is the largest Chinese gate in the United Kingdom and adorned in a dazzling array of electric blue, green, and gold.

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03

Karaoke At Plum Valley

Plum Valley is an upscale Cantonese restaurant in London's Chinatown, boasting chic interiors, a vast dim sum menu, and some of the most opulent Karaoke booths in the city.

Enjoy this East Asian tradition, Karaoke in any of the rooms while taking in the night's exciting atmosphere.

Complete with neon lights, a flat-screen TV, and a full dining table, the rooms offer a wide variety of tunes, including well-known Western tracks, and famous Chinese and Korean pop music.

Pick out one of your favourite songs and sing along to it to get your vocal chord ready for the atmosphere.

Location: 20 Gerrard Street, London Chinatown, London W1D 6JQ

Timings:

Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am

Friday and Saturday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am

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04

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Tour London's Chinatown during the festivities that mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year to have an unforgettable experience.

The neighbourhood comes alive with a riot of colours, music, dance, costumes, food, and exciting vibes and will leave you astounded.

See the mix of Chinese and London influences during the event that entices visitors of all ages, ensuring a fantastic time.

Watch a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance or attend the beautiful Lantern Festival, which are the highlights of the festival.

Enjoy parades, live performances, and a variety of stalls, all of which combine to make it one of the most exciting things to do in Chinatown London.

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05

Take A Photo Tour

A photo tour of this bustling neighbourhood sounds like the ideal way to take in all the beautiful sights.

Choose a guided tour or explore on your own; there are plenty of photo opportunities in the area.

Take some memorable photos of the lantern-lined streets, colourfully decorated alleys, or impressive doorways, or pose in front of stunning attractions like the grand four gates, stone lions, and contemporary art pieces.

Stroll through the alleys to find a variety of beautiful restaurants and cosy boutiques worth photographing in addition to dining.

Visit during Chinese New Year celebrations to fill your camera memory with eye-catching photo opportunities from excellent decorations, parades, dances, costumes, and Chinese culture and religion.

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06

Explore Chinese Art At CAN

Chinese Art Now (CAN), a London-based exhibition space dedicated to Chinese art, showcases the country's rich cultural heritage through a variety of exhibitions and performances.

Augmented Chinatown 2.0 is a live, interactive audio tour of Chinatown that includes augmented reality images and mini-dramas hidden behind its facades.

The organisation also hosts an annual CAN festival, which includes a range of events leading up to the Chinese New Year centred on Chinese culture.

Art and performance artists can use CAN as a place to work and display their creations.

Check out the events and workshops held at the venue to satiate your inner art enthusiast.

Location: Gerrard Street, London, England W1D 6JE

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07

Have A Drink At A Local Bar

Having a drink with the locals in some of the best bars is one of the most pleasurable things to do in Chinatown London.

Enjoy the lively environment, premium beers, and upscale alcoholic beverages at Blue Post on Rupert Street, or try the midnight dim sum and smoking cocktails at Opium.

Head to the Experimental Cocktail Club, a speakeasy-style bar, to enjoy a drinking den atmosphere, art deco interiors, and a vast selection of absolutely original cocktails that will keep you going back for more.

Experience the lively ambience of The Light Lounge, or The Mulwray, or Ku Bar while taking in the fun of having a few refreshing drinks with your partner or friends.

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08

Visit Blue Post

The Blue Posts is a three-storey drinking den paradise located on the Rupert Street of Chinatown London.

The pub on the ground floor is ideal for Craft beer enthusiasts since it features independent IPAs, local beers on tap, and traditional wines like Slovenian Pinot Grigio.

The Mulwray on the first level serves cocktails such as the White Mischief made with mezcal and the Magic Hour made with pineapple rum.

Evelyn's Table is a modest subterranean restaurant located in the basement, offering inventive modern European cuisine with a specialisation in Italian specialities.

Location: 28 Rupert Street, Ground Floor, London W1D 6DJ

Timings:

Monday to Thursday: 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Friday & Saturday: 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

Sunday: Closed

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09

Stop By Experimental Cocktail Club

A well-known speakeasy bar on Gerrard Street in Chinatown, London, Experimental Cocktail Club provides exquisitely-crafted drinks to discerning drinkers.

Offering a menu of pure alcohol alchemy with exquisitely-balanced house cocktails, it is a haven for cocktail lovers.

The signature drink is a brilliant combination of eleven ingredients with a pungent, smoky aroma and is a must try.

Try Spring On It or rare and difficult-to-obtain vintage spirits, such as the Vintage Negroni to have a unique experience.

Snack on cheese and charcuterie if feeling hungry, and find a superb range of premium champagnes to satiate your cravings for refreshing drinks.

Location: 13a Gerrard St, London W1D 5PS

Timings:

Tuesday to Sunday: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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10

Admire The 1888 Mural

Pay a visit to Horse and Dolphin Yard, just off Macclesfield Street, to take in the spectacular 1888 outdoor mural that measures 8 by 5 m.

Observe Chinatown's rich history and vibrant culture reflected in the mural that was unveiled on the 18th of August 2008.

See the artwork from close up which appears to be a dish of rice, but closer scrutiny reveals that it is made up of 1888 different pictures donated by members of the public. '

Seeing this 1888 mural is one of the most worthwhile activities to do in Chinatown London as it symbolises the solidarity of the Chinese community in the United Kingdom.

Location: Horse and Dolphin Yard, Chinatown London, London W1D 5BW

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11

Vist Opium

Opium is a well-kept secret for sophisticated drinkers who seek out alluring ambiance and magically concocted concoctions.

Spread over two stories, Opium is a dim sum parlour and cocktail bar patterned after 1920's Shanghai theme.

At Opium's Academy, you may have Apricot & Cardamom Old Fashioneds, while the Apothecary serves globally-inspired cocktails such as the Bitter Sweet Boulevardier.

Behind the red curtains on the second floor is the Peony bar, where you may combine your dim sum with Peony's exquisite Matcha.com.

Location: The Jade Door, 15-16 Gerrard Street, Chinatown, London W1D 6JE

Timings:

Monday, Tuesday: 5:00 pm to 1:00 am

Wednesday: 5:00 pm to 2:00 am

Thursday to Saturday: 5:00 pm to 3:00 am

Sunday: 5:00 pm to 12:00 am

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12

See The Lion Sculpture

Chinatown's entrances are guarded by a large lion statue installed along Wardour Street in 2009.

This Lion Sculpture is a modern rendition of a Chinese symbol of greeting and guardianship and a dramatic contrast to the more conventional design.

Thousands of laser cut Perspex pieces in a variety of colours and patterns make up the sculpture, depicting the diversity of East Asians in Britain today.

It contributes to the area's distinct character and is part of an effort to make London's Chinatown the best in the world.

Against the white walls of Chinatown, this brightly coloured artwork is a wonderful photo op.

Location: Wardour Street, Chinatown London, London W1D 5BW

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13

Visit Nail Salons

Chinatown London boasts a plethora of salons where you may have your nails painted to appear really stunning.

The Chi's Nails Studio in Neal's Yard offers a menu that ranges from a quick gloss change to a full-fledged manicure, making your pampering time a great pleasure.

At the Vanity Nails in Covent Garden, the vibrant environment makes manicures and pedicures fairly soothing, while the Precious Nails & Beauty in Archer Street, Soho, offers inventive gel manicures or a stunning shade of pastel nail polish amid a subdued setting.

Whether you're looking for neat and calming spaces for quick nail treatment or a relaxing mani in Chinatown London, you'll find the most imaginative nail designs, immaculate manicures and pedicures at these locations.

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14

See International Dragon & Lion Dance Festival

Take part in the International Dragon and Lion Dance Festival in West End to enjoy one of the most exciting activities to do in Chinatown London.

See a variety of performances and dances by numerous groups of lion/dragon dancers and martial artists that come together to celebrate this yearly event.

Learn about Chinese culture through dance performances and other traditions followed during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Enjoy a spiritual and pleasant atmosphere that is said to bring good fortune and ward off bad spirits.

Be impressed by the classic Lion and Dragon Dance performances, which feature synchronised Lion/Dragon movements with musical teams and clowns.

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15

Dine In At Cafe TPT

If you are looking for one of the most enjoyable activities to do in Chinatown London, head to Cafe TPT to indulge in some of the finest dishes of Chinese cuisine.

The restaurant serves traditional Hong Kong, mainland China, and Malaysian cuisine, prepared by expert chefs and some dishes produced with impressive flair.

The roasted duck on rice, stuffed tofu, squid, and seafood are all must-tries that will leave you wanting more.

Their bubble teas, drinks made in the style of Taiwan, are additional attractions that draw people from the surrounding area and tourists.

Location: 21 Wardour St, Chinatown London, London W1D 6PN

Timings: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am

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