Birmingham Chinatown is a culturally rich area of town where you'll find incredible food and shopping opportunities that celebrate the culture and work of Cantonese migrants. This neighbourhood grew from the remnants of a synagogue when the city's first Chinese restaurant opened up in it. Chung Ying Cantonese was just the beginning, however, as numerous other Chinese restaurants and businesses opened in the 1980s.
Today, you can explore a thriving Chinese Quarter offering unique experiences that can't be found anywhere else in town. Kids and adults alike will find fun here, and there's enough to keep you busy all day long.
Birmingham Chinatown - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Birmingham (Read all about Birmingham here)
photo by Tony Hisgett (CC BY 2.0) modified
Birmingham Chinatown highlights
The modern highlights of Chinatown are reminiscent of what got it started in the first place. The most popular activity here is eating at one of the local Chinese restaurants. In addition to the original Chung Ying Cantonese, the neighbourhood hosts a wide array of Mandarin restaurants founded by migrants from inland China.
During your visit, you'll want to try a bit of both. The Cantonese-style food can be quite varied in terms of flavour, but it depends on a lot of quick cooking and steaming. Mandarin cooking and recipes from the mainland, however, are far spicier with just about every dish including some kind of heat.
photo by Tony Hisgett (CC BY 2.0) modified
Good to know when visiting Birmingham Chinatown
If you're new to Chinatown, you may find some of the offerings a bit intimidating. You won't find the typical items you'd get at your local Chinese restaurant. Instead, you'll find dishes like dim sum and hot pot. You may want to look into the details of the neighbourhood's most popular dishes so you can enjoy the best they have to offer according to your tastes.
While you're in the area, you can enjoy some of the other popular spots in Birmingham close to Chinatown. The Irish Quarter is just to the east in Digbeth, while the Arcadian Centre and Gay Village can be found to the south.
photo by Tony Hisgett (CC BY 2.0) modified
Birmingham Chinatown
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Where to stay in Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
Aparthotel Birmingham
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Clayton Hotel Birmingham
ibis budget Birmingham Centre
Malmaison Birmingham
Hyatt Regency Birmingham
New Hall Hotel & Spa
