London short walk 16

More ultra-short walks

Little Newport Street, leading to London's Chinatown

Little Newport Street

Charing Cross Road

A one minute walk from Leicester Square station

London ultra-short walk - 16

The overhead red lanterns on the left marks the edge of London’s world-famous Chinatown, but this part of the city has only been the centre of Chinese culture since the 1950s.

The first Chinatown was established by Chinese sailors in the late 19th century, a few miles away in Limehouse in the East End, but this area was largely destroyed during bombing raids in World War II.

New immigrants arrived in the West End in the mid-20th century with cheaper rents available in a area that was badly run down after the war. In addition, British soldiers returning from the Far East had developed a taste for Chinese cuisine, which helped to develop the restaurant scene that continues to this day.