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Last Updated on: 20th March 2023, 06:03 pm

“Exploring the Best of London’s Chinese New Year Celebrations: A Look into Chinatown and Trafalgar Square”

Booking.com

“Exploring the Best of

London’s Chinese New Year Celebrations:

Look into Chinatown and Trafalgar Square”

London’s Chinese New Year celebrations

are some of the most vibrant and exciting events of the year,

with Chinatown and Trafalgar Square

playing host to a wide range of festivities.

The streets come alive with bright decorations,

dragon dances, and an array of delicious food options.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect

when exploring the best of London’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

Chinatown

Located in the heart of London’s West End,

Chinatown is a bustling hub of activity all year round,

especially during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The streets are adorned with traditional red lanterns,

while shops and restaurants offer special menus and deals

to celebrate the occasion.

One of the main highlights of the celebrations

is the parade that winds its way through the streets,

featuring colourful floats, lion and dragon dancers, and marching bands.

The atmosphere is electric,

with crowds of people gathering to watch and join in the festivities.

If you’re looking for some delicious food options,

Chinatown has you covered.

You can find everything from traditional Chinese street food

to high-end dining experiences,

with many restaurants offering special menus to mark the occasion.

And don’t forget to try the sweet and sticky rice cakes,

a must-have for Chinese New Year!

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is another popular spot to visit

during the Chinese New Year celebrations in London.

The iconic square is transformed into a vibrant festival space,

with music, dance, and cultural performances taking place throughout the day.

The highlight of the celebrations in Trafalgar Square is the main stage,

which hosts a range of performances

from local and international acts.

From traditional Chinese music to contemporary dance,

there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Food stalls are also set up around the square,

offering a range of delicious dishes and drinks

from different parts of China.

And for those looking to learn more about Chinese culture,

there are workshops and activities on offer,

including calligraphy and brush painting.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a London local

or visiting the city for the first time,

the Chinese New Year celebrations

in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square are not to be missed.

The vibrant atmosphere, delicious food,

and cultural performances make it a truly unforgettable experience.

So mark your calendar for next year’s festivities

and get ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year in style!

LONDON CHINATOWN

Chinatown is an ethnic enclave in the City of Westminster, London, bordering Soho to its north and west, Theatreland to the south and east. The enclave currently occupies the area in and around Gerrard Street. It contains a number of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, souvenir shops, and other Chinese-run businesses. The first Chinatown was located in Limehouse in the East End.

History

The first area in London known as Chinatown was located in the Limehouse area of the East End of London.^[1] At the start of the 20th century, the Chinese population of London was concentrated in that area, setting up businesses which catered to the Chinese sailors who frequented in Docklands. The area was known through exaggerated reports and tales of slum housing and (the then-legal) opium dens, rather than the Chinese restaurants and supermarkets of the current Chinatown. However, much of the area was damaged by aerial bombing during the Blitz in the Second World War, although a number of elderly Chinese still choose to live in this area. After the Second World War, however, the growing popularity of Chinese cuisine and an influx of immigrants from Hong Kong led to an increasing number of Chinese restaurants being opened elsewhere.

The present Chinatown, which is off Shaftesbury Avenue did not start to be established until the 1970s. Previously, it was a regular Soho area, run-down, with Gerrard Street the main thoroughfare. It was dominated by the Post Office, facing Macclesfield Street, and other major establishments were The Tailor & Cutter House, at 43/44, now a Chinese supermarket and restaurant, the Boulogne Restaurant, near the Wardour Street end, and by Peter Mario’s Restaurant at the other end. Other businesses included a master baker’s, the Sari Centre, Lesgrain French Coffee House, Harrison Marks‘ Glamour Studio, an Indian restaurant and various brothels. Probably the first Chinese restaurants opened in Lisle Street,^[2] parallel to Gerrard Street, and more opened gradually; one of the first restaurants was Kowloon Restaurant. The Tailor & Cutter did not close down until around 1974. The area now has more than 80 restaurants.^[3]

In 2005, the property developer Rosewheel proposed a plan to redevelop the eastern part of Chinatown. The plan was opposed by many of the existing retailers in Chinatown, as they believe that the redevelopment would drive out the traditional Chinese retail stores from the area and change the ethnic characteristic of Chinatown. In October 2013 and July 2018, the London Chinatown Community Centre (LCCC) organised a one-day shutdown in protest of violent tactics by immigration officers from the Home Office^[4]^[5].

The London Chinatown Community Centre (LCCC) has been housed in the Chinatown area since it was founded in 1980 by Dr Abraham Lue. The Centre claims to have received 40,000 people for help and assistance since its foundation. Located since 1998 on the second floor of 28-29 Gerrard Street, the Centre relocated to 2 Leicester Court in 2012, above the Hippodrome Casino.^[6]

On 25 July 2016, a new Chinatown gate on Wardour Street was opened by Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. It was made by Chinese artisans and assembled in London. The gate is in the style of the Qing dynasty.^[7]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown,_London

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE LONDON

Trafalgar Square (/trəˈfælɡər/ trə-FAL-gər) is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.

The site of Trafalgar Square had been a significant landmark since the 13th century and originally contained the King’s Mews. After George IV moved the mews to Buckingham Palace, the area was redeveloped by John Nash, but progress was slow after his death, and the square did not open until 1844. The 169-foot (52 m) Nelson’s Column at its centre is guarded by four lion statues. A number of commemorative statues and sculptures occupy the square, but the Fourth Plinth, left empty since 1840, has been host to contemporary art since 1999.

The square has been used for community gatherings and political demonstrations, including Bloody Sunday in 1887, the culmination of the first Aldermaston March, anti-war protests, and campaigns against climate change. A Christmas tree has been donated to the square by Norway since 1947 and is erected for twelve days before and after Christmas Day. The square is a centre of annual celebrations on New Year’s Eve. It was well known for its feral pigeons until their removals in the early 21st century.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_Square

Here is a typical winter’s day in London: gray, wet, dull, and gloomy. However, London has alot to offer so its more than making up for the awful weather.