Chinatown, Neighbourhood in the 13th arrondissement, Paris, France
Chinatown is a neighborhood in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, made up of restaurants, shops, markets, and temples tied to Asian communities. A large, colorful gate marks the entrance to the area, and the streets are lined with storefronts carrying signs in Chinese characters.
The neighborhood took shape in the early 20th century when Chinese workers settled in Paris and brought their traditions with them. Over the following decades, communities from Vietnam, Laos, and other parts of Asia also moved in, giving the area the mixed character it has today.
Shop signs in Chinese characters, lanterns hanging from buildings, and street signs in several languages are among the first things you notice when walking through. During Lunar New Year, the streets fill with parades, dragon costumes, and music, drawing both locals and visitors.
The easiest way to reach the area is by metro to Place d'Italie, from where the main streets are a short walk away. Weekends and evenings tend to be the busiest times, when most shops and restaurants are open and the streets are most active.
Hidden inside a parking structure in the neighborhood, a small Buddhist temple is easy to miss from the street. Despite its setting, it is a place where local residents regularly come to pray and gather, and it remains one of the most unexpected spots in the area.
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