Limehouse: London's Lost Chinatown
My tour often sells out. If no available dates are showing here, try my main ticket shop where you can book in advance.
London’s first Chinatown (1870-1960) was in Limehouse by the docks in the East End. Many buildings and some whole streets are now gone, but we can still trace the sites of the homes and businesses of Pennyfields and Limehouse Causeway, and see the seamen's missions where Chinese sailors first stayed when they arrived in London.
This tour shows you the remaining traces of the Limehouse Chinese community, and brings it to life with the stories of people who lived and worked there. We will retrace the footsteps of some real and fictional heroes, villains and regular folks of the community, and we will get to know the generation of mixed British-Chinese children who were born and raised here and whose descendants can trace their origins back to these few streets.
Limehouse and its residents were often portrayed in novels, songs and films. Interrogating these very varied depictions, some of them problematic and some downright racist, can help us understand the community’s resilience and its place in British Chinese life and in popular culture.
The tour will last approximately 3 hours, walking at a leisurely pace, and including a short break half-way. Dress for London weather.
The suggested payment for this walk is at least £15. This includes a £2 donation to the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets.
The tour lasts 3 hours
Available in English
100% of travelers recommend this Free Tour
Guide: Andrew
Tours since 2024I am originally from Redcar but I have been a Londoner for 35 years. I still love discovering the city, and helping other people to do so.
Find me on Instagram at @theandrewhumphrey and read more about the Limehouse tours including Google reviews at www.tinyurl.com/limehousechinatown
Meeting point:London Museum DocklandsI will be sitting at a table outside the London Museum Docklands.Open in Google Maps →
1
Outside visit
PennyfieldsThe main street of the old Chinese East End2
Outside visit
West India Dock RoadThe main road dividing the Shanghai and Cantonese enclaves3
Outside visit
Limehouse CausewayFormerly the busy Cantonese quarterExplore Beyond with London Free Walking Tour in Nearby Cities
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