Chinatown, Newcastle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newcastle Chinatown |
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| Traditional Chinese | 紐卡素唐人街 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 纽卡素唐人街 | ||||||||||||
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| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 紐卡斯爾唐人街 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 纽卡斯尔唐人街 | ||||||||||||
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Newcastle Chinatown is a vibrant area in Newcastle upon Tyne. It's found in the west part of the city, near the main shopping and business areas, especially along Stowell Street. This Chinatown is one of five in England. The others are in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. It's a special place where you can explore Chinese culture, food, and traditions.
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Where is Newcastle Chinatown?
This exciting area is located in the historic part of Newcastle. It's in a place called Grainger Town. Long ago, this land was part of a monastery called Blackfriars.
The main street in Chinatown is Stowell Street. You'll see street signs there that say 唐人街. This means "Chinatown" in Chinese. Stowell Street and a small part of the old Newcastle town wall form the edge of the area.
At the top of Stowell Street, on St Andrew's Street, you'll find the impressive Chinese arch. It faces the famous St James' Park football stadium. Around Stowell Street, you can discover many Chinese restaurants, food shops, and cafes. These are on streets like Charlotte Square and Low Friar Street.
History of Newcastle Chinatown
The first Chinese restaurant in Newcastle opened in 1949. It was called the Marlborough Café and was on Scotswood Road. By 1962, fourteen more Chinese restaurants had opened in the city. But none of them were on Stowell Street yet.
The first Chinese business to open on Stowell Street was a supermarket. This happened in 1978. It's now known as the Wing Hong store. After that, many other Chinese businesses moved to Stowell Street.
In 1988, businesses along Stowell Street were allowed to put up signs in both Chinese and English. This helped people feel more welcome. In 2008, 22 special Chinese-style lanterns were put up. They replaced the old street lights and made the area look even more unique.
The Chinese Arch
A very special Chinese arch stands tall in Chinatown. It was built in 2004 by skilled craftspeople from Shanghai. The arch is 11 meters (about 36 feet) high. You can find it on St. Andrew's Street, at the northern end of Chinatown.
Two Chinese guardian lions stand on either side of the arch. They look like powerful protectors. The arch faces the St James' Park football stadium. It's a popular spot for photos and a clear sign that you've entered Chinatown.
Events and Celebrations
One of the biggest events in Chinatown is the celebration of Lunar New Year. This special holiday happens every year. It's usually in late January or early February.
During Lunar New Year, the streets of Chinatown come alive. There are often parades, lion dances, and other cultural performances. It's a fantastic time to visit and experience the vibrant traditions of the Chinese community. For example, in 2015, the celebration took place on February 22nd.
Gallery
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Looking along Stowell Street.
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A street sign.
