Pictured is the archway which welcomes visitors to one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe, Liverpool’s China Town

Continuing this series of great places to visit in and around Liverpool, today I took a stroll to one of my favourite quarters, the wonderful China Town

As you can see, the weather is still not wonderful, but I’ll always endeavour to show you just how it is (if I happen to be down there later in the year on a nice bright sunny day, I’ll add a new picture for you, how’s that?)

Liverpool’s China Town is located in Liverpool city centre, not far from the docks where Chinese immigrants first arrived way back in 1866

The history books tell us that the Holt Ocean Steamship Company ran a line of steamers directly from Liverpool to China, primarily for the importation of silk and cotton wool

Many Chinese sailors who visited the city loved it so much they decided to stay, and many settled in the area of Cleveland Square

These early settlers must have had a real challenge facing them, not least the language barrier (even if they could speak a little English this is unlikely to have helped them understand the local dialect of the ‘Scousers’ – even I can’t understand them and I’m married to one)

So, the early settlers decided to set up their own businesses: boarding houses, shops, cafes,
In fact their own close community where they could be understood

Over the years the community has expanded, and what you see today is an area steeped with tradition, with a host of marvellous Chinese shops and, of course, restaurants, not to mention this awesome structure, the biggest Chinese Arch in Europe

Just a thought, if you decide to eat in one of the many restaurants in China Town, be aware that some of them don’t accept credit or debit cards, they accept cash only. So don’t land yourself in a pickle like I did and be faced by a chef brandishing a meat cleaver when you tell them you can’t pay

Anyway, back to the arch, amazingly, the arch was imported piece by piece from Shanghai!

Chinese craftsmen then set to work putting the giant jigsaw together, in time for the Millennium celebrations

Standing at 15m high and adorned with many striking colours, the archway has become one of Liverpool’s most impressive landmarks, and a must see for any visitor to the city

While you’re in the area you are a few minutes walk from:
The Albert Dock
The Anglican Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral (yes folks, if you want a Cathedral we’ve got one to spare)
The ’Reconciliation Statue’
The Cavern Quarter

Can’t wait to see you la!

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