Chinatown, Chinese dining district in Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia
Chinatown is a dining and residential neighborhood along Little Bourke Street in the center of Melbourne, Australia, known for its narrow lanes, red lanterns, and restored shopfront facades. The area is made up mostly of Chinese restaurants, food shops, and small businesses spread across several city blocks.
The neighborhood took shape in the 1850s when Chinese workers who had come to Australia during the Victorian gold rush settled along Little Bourke Street. It has been continuously occupied ever since, making it the oldest Chinese settlement of its kind in the Western world.
Red lanterns hang along the narrow lanes of Little Bourke Street and give the area a look that is distinct from the rest of Melbourne's city center. During Lunar New Year, the streets fill with dragon processions and festivities that draw large crowds from across the city.
Many restaurants in the area serve dim sum at lunchtime and stay open late into the evening, so there are options at most hours of the day. The lanes can get very crowded on weekends and during holiday periods, so visiting on a weekday morning or early afternoon tends to be more comfortable.
Inside the neighborhood stands the Chinese Museum, which houses the Millennium Dai Loong, one of the longest ceremonial dragons in the world, carried through the streets during parades. The dragon is still brought out for special occasions and can be seen up close inside the museum on regular days.
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