Chinatown Sydney is a vibrant and colourful area in the heart of the city, where you can immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of Asia. Whether you are a foodie, a shopper, a history buff, or a culture lover, you will find something to suit your interests and preferences in Chinatown Sydney.
In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about Chinatown Sydney, including the best time to visit, how to reach, what to do, where to go, and what to expect. Read on and discover why Chinatown Sydney is a must-visit place for any traveller in Sydney.
Things to Do in Chinatown Sydney
One of the best things about Chinatown Sydney is that there is always something to do, no matter what time of the day or year it is. Here are some of the most popular and interesting things to do in Chinatown Sydney, and why you should not miss them.
1. Shopping:
Chinatown Sydney is a shopper’s paradise, where you can find everything from spices, souvenirs, antiques, electronics, fashion, and more. The main shopping areas are the Chinatown Street Market, which is open every Friday and Saturday night, and the Market City, which is a modern shopping complex that also houses the Australia’s largest Asian supermarket.
2. Dining:
Chinatown Sydney is a foodie’s heaven, where you can taste the authentic and delicious cuisines of China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and more. You can find a variety of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, food courts, and street food vendors that cater to every budget and palate. Some of the must-try dishes are the dim sum, the noodles, the dumplings, the laksa, the pho, the sushi, the bbq, and the desserts.
3. Visiting the Chinese Garden of Friendship:
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a tranquil and beautiful oasis in the middle of the bustling city, where you can relax and admire the traditional Chinese architecture, landscaping, and art. The garden was built in 1988 as a symbol of friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou, and features a lake, a waterfall, a pavilion, a teahouse, and a museum.
4. Watching a show at the Capitol Theatre:
The Capitol Theatre is a stunning and historic venue that hosts some of the best musicals, concerts, and shows in Sydney. The theatre was built in 1892 as a market, and later converted into a cinema, a ballroom, and a theatre. The theatre has a lavish and ornate interior, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. You can catch some of the world-class productions, such as The Lion King, Wicked, Les Miserables, and Hamilton, that are performed at the theatre.
Places to Visit in Chinatown Sydney
Chinatown Sydney is not only a place to enjoy the culture, food, and fun, but also a place to learn about the history, heritage, and diversity of the area. Here are some of the most important and unique places to visit in Chinatown Sydney, and what they have to offer.
1. The Chinese archways:
The Chinese archways are the iconic landmarks of Chinatown Sydney, and mark the entrances to the area. The archways are decorated with dragons, lanterns, and calligraphy, and represent the friendship and harmony between the Chinese and Australian communities. The archways are also the focal points of the celebrations and festivities that take place in Chinatown Sydney, such as the Lunar New Year, the Moon Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival.
2. The City Amusement:
The City Amusement is a nostalgic and quirky attraction that showcases the history and entertainment of Chinatown Sydney. The City Amusement is a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, jukeboxes, and memorabilia that date back to the 1930s. You can play some of the classic games, such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong, and relive the golden era of arcade gaming.
3. The Chinese Garden of Friendship:
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a tranquil and beautiful oasis in the middle of the bustling city, where you can relax and admire the traditional Chinese architecture, landscaping, and art. The garden was built in 1988 as a symbol of friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou, and features a lake, a waterfall, a pavilion, a teahouse, and a museum. You can also join the guided tours, the tai chi classes, or the tea ceremonies that are offered in the garden.
4. The various temples and mosques:
Chinatown Sydney is a place of cultural and religious diversity, where you can find some of the oldest and most significant temples and mosques in Sydney. Some of the notable ones are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, which houses a sacred relic of the Buddha and displays the Buddhist art and culture, the Masjid Jamae, which is one of the first mosques in Sydney and serves the Malay and Indian Muslim communities, the Cundhi Gong, which is a Taoist temple that worships the Goddess of Mercy, and the Sri Mariamman Temple, which is a Hindu temple that is dedicated to the Goddess of Rain and Fertility.
5. The Chinatown Heritage Centre:
The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a museum that tells the story of the Chinese migrants who came to Sydney and contributed to the development and diversity of the city. The museum features interactive exhibits, artefacts, photos, and videos that depict the history, challenges, and achievements of the Chinese community in Sydney.
How to Reach Chinatown Sydney
Chinatown Sydney is located in the southern part of the Sydney CBD, and is easily accessible by various modes of transport. Here are some of the options that you can choose from, and how to get to Chinatown Sydney from different parts of the city.
By train: The closest train station to Chinatown Sydney is the Central Station, which is a major hub for the Sydney Trains and the NSW TrainLink networks. You can take any train that stops at the Central Station, and then walk for about 10 minutes to reach Chinatown Sydney.
By bus: There are many bus routes that serve Chinatown Sydney, and you can find the nearest bus stop by using the Trip Planner or the Google Maps apps. Some of the bus routes that stop near Chinatown Sydney are the M10, the M20, the M30, the M40, the 440, the 501, and the 518.
By taxi: You can also take a taxi to Chinatown Sydney, which is a convenient and comfortable option, especially if you have luggage or mobility issues. You can hail a taxi from the street, or book one online or by phone. Some of the taxi companies that operate in Sydney are the 13cabs, the Silver Service, the Legion Cabs, and the Premier Cabs.
Best Time to Visit Chinatown Sydney
Chinatown Sydney is a year-round destination, where you can enjoy the culture, food, and fun at any time of the year.
Weather: Sydney has a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The average temperature ranges from 18°C to 26°C in summer (December to February), and from 9°C to 17°C in winter (June to August). The rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 12 rainy days per month.
Chinatown Sydney is a must-visit place for any traveller in Sydney, where you can experience the rich and diverse culture of Asia in the heart of the city. You can enjoy the culture, food, and fun of Chinatown Sydney at any time of the year, and join the locals and the visitors in some of the most colourful and exciting events in the city. You can also learn about the history, heritage, and diversity of Chinatown Sydney, and visit some of the most important and unique places in the area.
