Chinatown, Chinese ethnic neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, United States.
Chinatown is a Chinese neighborhood in Lower Manhattan with narrow streets filled with restaurants, markets, and traditional medicine shops. The neighborhood spans several blocks between the Bowery to the east and Broadway to the west, with Canal Street serving as the main thoroughfare.
Chinese immigrants established this community in the 1870s, creating the largest concentration of Chinese residents in the Western Hemisphere. The population grew after 1965 when new immigration laws allowed more people from China to settle here.
Columbus Park serves as a central gathering spot where residents practice tai chi, play mahjong, and celebrate traditional festivals throughout the year. Along Canal Street, grocery stores display fresh seafood, dried vegetables, and imported spices that reflect the daily shopping habits of the community.
The area connects to several subway lines at Canal Street station, providing direct access to Brooklyn, Queens, and other parts of Manhattan. Most shops and restaurants open late morning and stay open until late evening, especially on weekends.
The East Broadway section contains a high number of residents from the Fuzhou region, creating a district within the neighborhood. This community speaks distinct dialects and maintains separate banks, newspapers, and community centers.
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