Manchester Chinatown and the Chinese Imperial Arch

Manchester's Chinatown is one of the largest in Britain, centred on Faulkner Street in the city centre of Manchester, England, a short walk from Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter's Square. The district is marked by the Chinese Imperial Arch on Faulkner Street, a gift from the Chinese government in 1987, which is among the best-known landmarks of the area. Around it, streets are lined with Cantonese, Sichuan and other regional Chinese restaurants, dim sum houses, bakeries, bubble tea cafes, Asian supermarkets and shops selling gifts and groceries. The community has deep roots in the city, and the area also hosts events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, when lion dances, parades and decorations fill the streets. Entry to the district is free and it is open at all times, though restaurants and shops generally operate from about 11:00 to 23:00. A walk around Chinatown takes about an hour, but many visitors stay for a meal. Lunchtime dim sum and evening dinner are the busiest times, and at weekends restaurants fill quickly. The lanterns and neon signs make the area atmospheric after dark, when the arch is attractive to photograph. Photographers can capture the arch from Faulkner Street with the decorative roofline and the surrounding buildings. The area is easy to reach, with Metrolink stops at Piccadilly Gardens or St Peter's Square about five minutes away on foot, and the Northern Quarter, Manchester Central Library and Canal Street are all nearby. Visitors planning a larger group meal, particularly at the weekend, usually book ahead, and many restaurants offer set menus or lunch deals at good value.