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Chinatown sits at the centre of Soho, and its character runs deep. The name came from the Chinese families and traders who settled in this corner of London in the 1950s and turned it into a small hub of East Asian life. Before that, the area had been through plenty of changes, known at one point for its theatres and music halls.
You know it by the red lanterns, the ornate gates and the smell of street food and spices in the air. Chinese supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants line the way, serving everything from roast duck to handmade dumplings. Wong Kei is famous for its no-nonsense service and generous portions. The Golden Dragon draws a steady weekend crowd for dim sum.
It is a short walk from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, so the tube is never far. No famous names lived here, but it remains a genuine cultural landmark, and thousands come through every week for exactly that.
