Free tour
Limehouse: London's Lost Chinatown
Excellent(1)
Guru: Andrew
Registered on 7 February 2024
I am originally from Redcar but I have been a Londoner for 35 years. I love discovering the city, and helping other people to do so. As well as this tour of the old Limehouse Chinatown I also do tours of Soho Chinatown. Find me on Instagram at @theandrewhumphrey
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free
Tour description
Next scheduled tours are on Sunday 15 Feb, Sunday 15 March (sold out), Sunday 12 April and Sunday 24 May.
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.
Highlights
What will we see on this tour?
Meeting point:
London Museum Docklands
I will be sitting at a table outside the London Museum Docklands.
1
Outside visit
Ming Street
The former Shanghai enclave
2
Outside visit
Pennyfields
The main street of the old Chinese East End
3
Outside visit
West India Dock Road
The main road dividing the Shanghai and Cantonese enclaves
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Tour reviews
Excellent(1)
Generic
1
0
0
0
0
By category
Professionalism
5.00
Fun
5.00
Communication
5.00
Quality
5.00
Route
5.00
Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Not suitable for bringing pets.
What should I know?
Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 1 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Cash payment only.
