Things to Do in Brisbane’s Chinatown

Visit the main centre for Chinese culture with its restaurants, shops, and festivals infusing with the Brisbane city!

The hustle and bustle of Brisbane is contagious and, with so much culture and heritage to explore, there are so many things to do during your time in the city.

If you’re looking to discover a different side of Brisbane, head to Chinatown, which is a lively precinct in Fortitude Valley. The area spans out around Chinatown Mall, a busy pedestrianised street that connects up Wickham Street and Ann Street. Here, visitors and locals can tuck into a delicious selection of food in a variety of Chinese restaurants, as well as browse gifts in authentic shops, and check out a vibrant schedule of events that take place in the area.

This electric social hub is a commercial and cultural hotspot in Brisbane, and remains an important part of town for the city’s Asian community. Take a closer look, and you’ll see the streets are signed in both English and Chinese characters for an authentic touch.

At the entrance to the mall, there are pairs of impressive stone lions. These were gifted to Brisbane by the People’s Republic of China and act as protectors against any evil spirits. Today, the area is continuing to expand, with new restaurants, shops, and markets popping up on Alfred Street, McLachlan Street, Gipps Street, and Constance Street.

Fun Things to Do in Brisbane’s Chinatown

• Check Out the Food

  The most prominent thing to do in Chinatown is visit the numerous restaurants that serve up traditional Asian cuisine. There are plenty of eateries and dumpling houses to choose from, so take a stroll and see what takes your fancy.

  If you’re feeling a bit worse for wear on a Sunday, head to Yum Cha, a popular hangover spot. There are also a selection of restaurants serving other Asian cuisine, including Korean Barbecue, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

• Browse the Markets

  Aside from its mouth-watering selection of restaurants, Chinatown is home to several markets that come to town each week.

  At the weekend, stalls pop up all around the area, selling a range of Asian curiosities and Pan-Asian foods.

  During the week when the markets aren’t in play, you can always head to one of the many shops or supermarkets that sell everything from unique Asian ingredients to handmade souvenirs and gifts.

• Visit the Festivals

  An important time to truly understand the culture of Chinatown is during their annual festivals. Their Chinese Moon Festival is during the month of September and is essentially a street party with dragon dance performances, roving stilt walkers, fan and umbrella dancing! Otherwise, there is the Valley Fiesta, which crams live music, dleicious food stalls, and plenty of decorations across Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

This lively part of Brisbane is definitely not something to be missed, particularly if you want to delve into the rich Asian heritage of the city and discover some of the most delicious food around.

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