Chinatown

Four grand arches herald your arrival into Melbourne's Chinatown, the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world. Situated between Swanston and Spring streets, Chinatown fills Little Bourke Street with the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of Asia. Spend a day exploring 19th century buildings full of restaurants, Asian grocers, Chinese medicine and herbalist centres, bookstores and fashion boutiques.

Dumplings and chilli kicks
Eat up a storm in renowned Chinese and Asian restaurants such as Shark Fin, Supper Inn, Dragon Boat and Westlake where yum cha is the word for lunch, or try the fabulous Flower Drum, Cantonese fine dining at its best.

Treats, gifts and curios   
Find pickles, dried fish and produce at one of the many Asian grocers, fossick through bright and colourful trinkets in a gift shop, or explore the thriving arcades off Little Bourke Street for everything from chinoiserie to cutesy stationary.

Bright lights, big nights
Wander past decorative streetlights and dining room windows ablaze with lanterns and neon lights while choosing the perfect spot for dinner. Afterwards disappear down a laneway or up a flight of stairs to some particularly Melbourne places to meet, such as the Croft Institute, New Gold Mountain or Fad Gallery, a bar with an art gallery presenting regular exhibitions.

The Story of China in Australia
Learn the Chinese-Australia story over five levels of exhibition space at the Chinese Museum in Cohen Place, marked by the Dai Loong and Millennium dragons at its entrance. The museum helps visitors discover Chinatown's hidden history with a guided walk through Little Bourke Street's buildings and laneways.

Kick up your heels
Each year Chinatown hosts many traditional Chinese festivals and activities such as the Asian Food Festival and the Chinese New Year.

Getting there
By tram: Any tram along Swanston Street to Bourke or Lonsdale streets; the free City Circle Tram to Parliament House on Spring Street, then walk to Little Bourke Street.

Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle: Stop 4. The complete trip includes 13 stops and takes approximately an hour and a half. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day) and includes an on-board commentary.

By foot: Two and a half blocks north from Federation Square (about 5 minutes).