Around The Block

Chinatown: 
A pocket of downtown Manhattan rich with history and tradition.

As the largest "Chinatown" in the United States, New York's Chinatown has had roots in Eastern traditions since the mid-1800s. An influx of immigrants from Hong Kong and the Fujian Province during the 1900s helped the neighborhood to solidify its identity. Today, Chinatown remains true to its cultural heritage while inviting newcomers to explore and get to know the neighborhood.

What To Expect: 
Affordable downtown living with many commuting options.

Chinatown is known for its excellent deals. Shopping or going out to dinner doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag in this neighborhood.

Chinatown is also home to many on-the-go New Yorkers. Many subway lines converge around Canal Street, so residents are able to commute to other parts of the city with ease.

Its central location makes the neighborhood accessible from outer boroughs. The Manhattan Bridge is a busy thoroughfare of joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians commuting to and from Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue.

Chinatown's proximity to the Lower East Side, TriBeCa, and SoHo makes it easy for residents to experiene all the perks of living downtown.

The Lifestyle: 
Exploring diverse cuisines, parks, and understated bars.

Chinatown is popular among students who frequent the inexpensive bakeries and bubble tea shops around the neighborhood. From mouth-watering roast pork buns to refreshingly cool taro-flavored drinks, Chinatown offers a variety of delicious snacks to choose from.

Exploring Chinatown's dining scene is a dynamic experience. Often, restaurants are under the radar and only frequented by residents in the know.

There's also the experience of tasting authentic Asian cuisines. You'll learn that some of the best Peking duck, wonton soups, and dumplings are found in Chinatown, as well as Vietnamese favorites such as pho and banh mi.

Chinatown is home to a strong community of residents, many of whom stay within the borders of the neighborhood for its eateries, shops, and parks. In the afternoons, the parks are packed with long-standing residents playing Chinese chess and Mahjong, practicing tai chi, or engaging in karaoke-style concerts.

Columbus Park attracts New Yorkers from all over with its basketball, soccer, and volleyball courts.

Chinatown is known for its eclectic food markets. Neighbors can shop for dragon fruits, lychees, and rambutans in the fruit stands, live lobsters and frogs in the fish markets, and Asian spices and herbs in the grocery stores.

When the sun sets, Chinatown becomes an offbeat destination for nightlife. New bars like Apotheke specialize in mixology and crafted cocktails, while larger spaces like Santos Party House have been known to throw some of the most exciting parties downtown.

Another popular hangout is 169 Bar, which has been around for a century and is known for its kitschy decor, cheap food and drinks, and friendly atmosphere.

What Not To Expect:
A quiet neighborhood with little street congestion.

Chinatown is known for its busy atmosphere and heavy foot traffic. Tourists and vendors pack the sidewalks, making it very congested during the daytime.

But some areas are not as densely populated. Chinatown has many side streets that lead to quieter blocks, some of which have great tucked-away restaurants like Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles at the end of Doyers Street.

The Rental Market:
Primarily walk-up buildings, but a few condo buildings have popped up in recent years.

The majority of Chinatown's apartments are walk-ups above restaurants and shops.

However, newer and larger spaces can be found in condos located near the neighborhood's borders.

You'll Fall In Love With:
The immersive cultural experience in a prime downtown location.

Chinatown's residents are active in preserving their traditions. One of the most popular destinations for residents and tourists is the Museum of Chinese in America.

More cultural institutions can be found closer to the Lower East Side, where many museums, boutiques, and art galleries are located. You'll also find nonprofit organizations such as Art in General, which fosters artists' works and presents it in public exhibitions.

Chinatown is a unique neighborhood in New York City, one that has maintained a core identity since the late 1800s.

• All pictures and content provided by Compass