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Chinatown

Gerrard and Lisle Streets, W1
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square

Chinatown is a small area situated between Shaftesbury Avenue in the north, Charing Cross Road in the east, Leicester Square in the south and Piccadilly Circus in the west. It basically comprises of two main streets, Gerrard Street and Lisle Street.

These streets are the focal point of Britain's Chinese community - even the street signs have Cantonese translations. The area serves as a cultural and financial centre for London's Chinese, but it also attracts huge amounts of visitors each year.

For most visitors the primary reason for going to Chinatown is to eat, and there are a huge number of restaurants to choose from. The meals are inexpensive and, as this is where Chinese families choose to eat out, they are usually excellent in quality.

 Chinatown, London, 18K
But in addition to the numerous restaurants, there are also Chinese food markets, lots of arts and craft shops, and the largest Chinese bookshop in London.

This is also where the Chinese New Year is celebrated each year in late January or early February and this is the best time to visit Chinatown. The streets come alive to the sound of lion dances and firecrackers, and thousands of visitors join in the revelry.

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