|
Chinese are fifth largest community in the multi-ethnic Australian society. Lying south of Sydney central business district, Chinatown is located in Haymarket between Central Station and Darling Harbour in Sydney. Chinatown satisfies the parameters of an urban locality. Chinatown: History The present Chinatown was preceded by two other locations in the past. The first Chinatown in the late 19th century was located in the Rocks in Sydney; few years later it was shifted to a locality near Street at Darling Harbour. Chinatown moved to the current location in the 1920s. Chinatown: Features The crux of Chinatown lies in the Dixon Street, which is no more than a pedestrian street lined with many Chinese restaurants. On the eastern end of Chinatown, there lies a sculpture carved out of a dead tree trunk, named Golden Water Mouth. The sculpture purports to usher good fortune to the Chinese community. On the southern flank of Chinatown, lying adjacent to Hay Street is a large complex called Market City. The Market City includes a swanky shopping centre, boutique shops, restaurants, a large residential high rise among others. Chinatown in Sydney does not raise any problems on cleanliness and law and order unlike the other chinatowns in different countries. The Chinese residing in Chinatown, Sydney are mostly Cantonese. Around 40% of them trace their ancestry from Zhongshan, 24% of them are of Gaoyao descent, 20% of them are of Dongguan descent and 10% are of Siyi descent.
Chinatown: Activities
Shopping
Chinatown is famous for its Chinese stores selling authentic Chinese goods. For those interested in Chinese wares, there are clothes and bone china for the taking in the stores in the Dixon Street. There are more shopping items in Sydney's Paddy's Markets, which offer everything from jewelry to clothing. Eating Out The Chinese restaurants in Chinatown are amongst the best in Sydney. There are over 65 restaurants in Chinatown. Apart from catering Chinese cuisines, they also serve Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese and Malaysian cuisines. The Chinese New Year Festival in Chinatown is a much awaited one and attracts lot of interested viewers. The celebration is one of the largest outside Asia.
|
