Chinatown in new york city

While some tourists in NYC visit the East Side of Manhattan, others wish to experience the "Far East" side.

Squeezed into a tiny area of lower Manhattan, Chinatown has remained an immigrant enclave and retained its unique cultural personality.

Starting on Canal Street there are plenty of Chinatown hotels and business pours out of storefronts and onto the sidewalk where the art of bargaining is always handy..

Although many of the items sold on Canal Street tend to be standard items like watches and purses, there are several stores (especially on the south side) offering many unique Chinese items.

Of course, nothing is more unique than their unusual foods and remedies. A walk through the crowded aisles will expose you to a world of curious fruits, roots, and who knows what else!

Popular items many tourists like to shop for include authentic rice bowls, tea services, and chopsticks. Of course, this is all leading to the most popular aspect of Chinatown...restaurants!

With around 300 restaurants, Chinatown means food! A majority of visitors come down here for authentic cuisine amidst the exotic atmosphere. You'll find the majority of dining choices along the narrow, winding Mott and Mulberry Streets just below Canal Street.

While these photos were taken in winter when it gets dark early, you should be aware that Chinatown closes quite early for New York.

Many businesses close by 6 p.m.and restaurants by 11 p.m.

Restaurants became an important staple to the community by the 1890's
when the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882 barred Chinese from citizenship and to only a few occupations.

Today, Chinatown remains not only a popular tourist but also an important community containing over 30% of NYC's growing Chinese population.