Panorama showing view down Gerrard Street, at the very heart of China Town in London. This picture was taken the day after the Chinese New Year celebrations and the street is hung with Chinese lanterns. It had also just snowed, and the lanterns were each covered with a cap of snow, a very unusual sight in London.

Chinatown after Snow - London visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Chinatown after Snow' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Greater London.

Chinatown is one of the main attractions in London. It lies just north of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, south of Soho. The main road in China Town is Gerrard Street. This has gates on the three entrances and is lined from end to end with Chinese restaurants.

China Town originally grew up serving Chinese sailors around Limehouse in the Docklands in the late 1800's. After WWII Chinese cuisine grew in popularity and numerous Chinese restaurants spread to other parts of London. These became concentrated around the West End and around the 1970'sChina Town moved to Gerrard Street. China Town and Leicester Square to the south are the focus of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo, Piccadilly lines), Leicester Square (Northern line).