Chinatown, Manchester, England United Kingdom

Manchester is home to the second largest Chinatown in the UK, and the third largest in Europe. Its origins go back to 1948, when Ping Homg, the first Chinese restaurant in Manchester, opened on Mosley Street.

Being neither a Port City such as Liverpool, or a Capital City such as London, the Chinese population of Manchester was only around 2000 prior to WWII. However, after the war there were massive Labour shortages and the government passed the British Nationality act, making entry to the country significantly easier for immigrants. In addition, the rapid Urban Growth of Hong Kong forced many chinese people out of their rural homes, who then decided to emmigrate. During the 1950's and 60's the chinese restaurant industry grew rapidly in Manchester, and by the 1970's other Chinese businesses started to emerge, such as medicine shops, chinese supermarkets and financial and legal services, all primarily to serve the employees of the restaurants. There was also a Hong Kong government office and a branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corperation during the 70's. Today, Manchesters Chinatown has a wide range of not only Chinese, but also Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese and other Pan-Asian restaurants and businesses.

Manchesters Chinese Arch was the first real Chinese Arch erected in Europe, a gift from the Chinese Government to the people of Manchester in 1987. One of the msot elaboratly decorated Chinese Arches outside China, it stands proudly on the corner of Faulkner Street and Nicholas Street.