The Vibrancy of Melbourne's Chinatown

If you are visiting Melbourne, head over to Chinatown to experience some culture and some delicious food. Located on Little Bourke Street and extended between the corners of Swanston and Spring Street, Chinatown is not to be missed. It is a must visit spot during your trip to Melbourne.

When I first set foot in Chinatown, I felt like I was really in China. With many low-rise brick buildings flanking the street, Chinatown has retained its historical and cultural identity. You know you have reached Chinatown once you see the grand red arches that marked the entrance to Chinatown.

Chinese Museum

A visit to the Chinese Museum in Chinatown is a must. The museum has 5 levels of exhibition space and is a great place to learn about the migration of Chinese to Australia during the “gold rush” in 1850s. One part of the permanent exhibit of the museum enables visitors to retrace the journey from China to Australia. The museum also holds an extensive collection of exhibits that shows the beauty of the Chinese culture and tradition, from large costume collections, that showcases the traditional wedding clothes, shoes worn by women who had bounded feet, Chinese Opera costumes, to large collection of artefacts, furniture, photographs, musical instruments, pottery collections and Dragon and Lion head for the dance.

If you wish to learn the Chinese cultural dance, martial art or music and stories you can actually do so as the museum organises Chinese Cultural Classes on Sundays. The fee for these classes is $100.

Chinese New Year

The Museum also houses the Millennium Dai Loong Dragon, which was commissioned from the Foshan Arts Institute in China in 2002. Since 2003, the Dragon which requires 200 people to carry it throughout the Chinese New Year parade is awakened every year with a ceremony of offerings to the Gods followed by a lion dance. I intend to come back to Melbourne to witness this during the Chinese New Year celebration next year.

I’ve been told that during Chinese New Year, there are many food stalls that are set up and many cultural performances held along the street of Chinatown. What could be better than absorbing the cultural experience while sampling good food?

Chinatown Heritage Tours

For those who wish to get more insight on the history and also to have a complete experience of Chinatown, what could be better than going on a guided tour of the Chinatown? Arranged by the Chinese Museum, the Chinatown Heritage Walk will commence at the museum, where visitors will be given a guided tour. After that visitors will then be taken to a walking tour of the area and the street of Chinatown, where 150 years worth of history is brought back to life. You will also be given the opportunity to stop at some of the retailers and absorb the history and also the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. Visitors will have a choice to complete their tour at one of Chinatown’s renowned world class restaurant. For those who wish to do just the 2 hour tour, the full price is $18 and the concession price is $15. For those who wish to have the 3 hours tour with lunch the full price is $34 and the concession price is $31.

Feng Shui Tour

In Chinatown, not only can you get a guided tour of the local history and also culture but you can also get a Feng Shui Tour of Chinatown. Feng Shui is very much a topic that is being discussed by everyone, so it is of no wonder that there is a demand for Feng Shui Tour. Conducted by renowned Feng Shui Master, the tour will enlighten how Feng Shui is very much used in businesses and homes in Chinatown, for a nominal fee of $20 per person.

Gastronomic Adventure

Visitors to Chinatown will find myriad of restaurants to whet their gastronomic appetite. Spoilt for choice, visitors can get restaurants that serve not only Chinese food, but they can also get many Asian food, like those from India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

If cooking is your passion, you can also find all sorts of items which you would not normally find in the supermarkets. There are many Asian grocery stores in Chinatown that sells ingredients that you would need for your Asian menu.

Shopping Experience

Shops are in abundance in Chinatown. You can find Chinese medicine and herbalist centres, bookstores, fashion boutiques and other retail outlets in arcades such as the Village Centre and the Target Centre. You can also find many souvenir shops that will make you wish you have that additional space in your luggage.

So for great cultural experience, great food and shopping experience, head down to Chinatown, where you are guaranteed to find something that will satisfy all your needs and fancy.

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Article Information
This article was written by Rozila Wong and was first published 16 April 2007. This article is free for personal and commercial reproduction, with the following terms and conditions.