Chinatown Walking Tour: Experience a Rich Chinese Atmosphere in Exotic New York

In Manhattan, New York, the place that feels most familiar to Chinese tourists is undoubtedly Chinatown. Stalls stacked with fruits, herbs, and seafood, familiar East Asian faces, colorful Chinese signs, and the delicious dishes wafting the flavors of home from restaurants all hold immense appeal. The New York Pass takes you on a walking tour of Chinatown to explore its most famous landmarks and the familiar sounds and smells.

Image source: Gina & Paul Brake of Street Photography NYC

Located in Lower Manhattan at the southern end of the city, Chinatown originated in 1890. It borders Broadway, the world's performing arts center, and is just a stone's throw from City Hall and Wall Street, enjoying a prime location. After more than a hundred years of change, today's Chinatown covers over 4 square kilometers, spanning more than 40 streets, and has grown into the largest residential and commercial area for overseas Chinese in the Western Hemisphere.

Image source: Gina & Paul Brake of Street Photography NYC

Walking through these bustling, lively streets with an experienced guide is the easiest and simplest way to go. You don't have to worry about getting lost in the winding alleys, and you can listen to fascinating stories about Chinatown's rich history, even visiting some spaces usually closed to the public.

In this colorful neighborhood, don't miss these highlights:

Mahayana Buddhist Temple: Built in 1962 at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, the Mahayana Buddhist Temple is New York's largest Buddhist temple and houses the city's tallest Buddha statue—a 16-foot-high Buddha seated on a lotus leaf, surveying the serene temple and its surroundings with great solemnity. The temple has many Buddha statues and is surrounded by a forest, making it a beautiful place to escape the city's hustle and bustle and purify the soul.

Mahayana Buddhist Temple, image source: Mahayana Temple

Doyers Street: One of the three oldest streets in Chinatown, Doyers Street is now a colorful avenue filled with cafes, restaurants, and gift shops. However, it has a violent and dark past—from the mid-19th to early 20th century, Chinatown gangs often hid at a sharp 90-degree bend in the street to ambush rival gangs, committing numerous murders there. Hence, the corner became known as the Bloody Angle.

Doyers Street, image source: crxss.shot/IG

Five Points: At the intersection of five streets in what is now Chinatown and Little Italy, this 19th-century neighborhood gained fame from Martin Scorsese's 2002 film Gangs of New York. Here, you can listen to the guide explain the area's history, learning how it transformed from a densely populated slum rife with disease and crime into today's international district.

Five Points, image source: Facebook@John Cruisce

Confucius Plaza: Symbolizing thousands of years of Chinese culture, Confucius Plaza is one of Chinatown's most iconic landmarks. Standing in front of the plaza is a 15-foot-tall bronze statue of Confucius, created by sculptor Liu Shih, with a Confucian saying engraved on its base.

Confucius statue, image source: UnitedStatuesofAmerica

Chinatown United Benevolent Association: The highlight of the walking tour is a visit to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), built in 1883 and representing Chinese Americans living in New York. The CCBA's president is informally known as the mayor of Chinatown.

Uncover the mysteries of New York's most fascinating and familiar cultural place on foot~

Image source: Christopher Postlewaite

Chinatown Official Walking Tour Meeting Point: Chinatown & Little Italy Information Kiosk at Baxter Street and Canal Street

Cost: $37, free with New York Pass