Chinatown in New York
Chinatown in New York (New York, USA) – description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.
In New York, there are several areas of local Chinese residence: in Brooklyn, Queens, and the largest and oldest in Manhattan. That’s what they mean by pronouncing the name “Chinatown”. In the very heart of the metropolis, next to Broadway, a passer-by seems to be transferred thousands of kilometers and finds himself in another country on the opposite side of the globe. Chinese speech sounds around, signs are written in hieroglyphs without translation into English, the air is saturated with the aromas of fish and seafood of the first, second and all subsequent freshness, countless stalls with a variety of goods and specific fast food lined up along the sidewalks. See itypetravel for geostatistics of Oregon.
A bit of history
In 1840, immigrant Ah Ken received a residence permit from the US authorities and opened a tobacco shop at Five Corners, then still a slum area near the city center, but with low housing prices. The resourceful Chinese quickly developed himself and created a whole network of cigar stores. Then he bought a multi-storey building and began to rent rooms to fellow countrymen. On top of that, in 1965 the government passed the Immigration Act, after which the Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Thais at the end of the 19th century poured into America like a river. Today, the population of Chinatown is estimated at 100 thousand people, it is impossible to obtain accurate data due to illegal immigration.
Public institutions in New York are required to publish all documents in translations into the languages officially recognized in the city, including Chinese, which has the same status as English, Spanish and Russian.
What to watch
Both tourists and locals are attracted to Chinatown by its indescribable flavor and low prices. The local stores sell anything, from “branded” abibas and geese to exotic spices, drinks and medicines. In addition, it is customary to bargain here, sometimes it is possible to drop the price by almost half. Almost all the first floors and basements of high-rise buildings are occupied by shops and eateries.
Asian food in New York is quite popular. In Chinatown, they serve not only Chinese dishes, but also Hong Kong, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino cuisines. Those who don’t dare to try street food head to the Bowery for shrimp in peanut sauce at Kongy Restaurant, spiced butter wontons on Canal Street in Grand Szechuan, and gourmets head to Mott Street for duck along -Beijing in the restaurant “Hop Key”.
The area is mainly built up with old 5-6-storey houses. There is, perhaps, one exception – the Confucius Plaza skyscraper at the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. In front of him stands a 15-meter bronze statue of the great Chinese philosopher and scribe Confucius. The building houses offices of Asian banks, large companies from China, Hong Kong, Singapore. Nearby, the Museum of the History of Chinese Immigration on Lafayette Street contains numerous documents, photographs and artifacts that tell about one of the largest enclaves outside the Middle Kingdom.
Between January 21 and February 21, traffic is blocked on the central streets of Chinatown and the celebration of the New Year begins according to the lunar calendar. Processions in national costumes to deafening music carry writhing multi-colored dragons on poles, waving snarling lion heads and bright banners.
Practical Information
Location: New York, Lower Manhattan.
How to get there: Take the subway to Grand Street, East Broadway or Canal Street stations.
UN Headquarters in New York
UN Headquarters in New York (USA) – description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
Some European countries opposed the construction of the UN building on the banks of the East River. It was proposed to place it on Navy Island, not far from Niagara Falls, but the choice fell on a plot of land in New York, bought by John Rockefeller. The most prominent building of the complex is a 39-storey high-rise building where the Secretariat is located. On the right, you can see the dome of the General Assembly Hall, on the other hand, the library in memory of Dag Hammerskjöld, Secretary General, who died in the Congo during a peacekeeping operation, there is also a visitor center.
What to watch
There are several sculptures in the square in front of the UN headquarters. Perhaps the most unusual is the Nonviolence, a revolver with a knotted barrel. Against the backdrop of a river view, the statue of Yevgeny Vuchetich “Let’s beat swords into plowshares”, the beginning of each session of the UN General Assembly marks the strike of the Japanese Peace Bell.
Excursions are conducted daily, the guides speak all the official languages of the UN, including Russian. The route starts in the General Assembly meeting room, visitors are shown the premises of the Security Council and other departments.
The art gallery displays works donated by the UN. Among them stands out the Window of the World, a huge stained-glass window designed by Marc Chagall dedicated to the death of Dag Hammarskjöld. An entire wall is occupied by a mosaic copy of Norman Rockwell’s The Golden Rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Tourists can send a letter from here with special stamps canceled with the Secretariat’s stamp – this souvenir is very popular.
Practical Information
Address: 405 E 42nd Street, New York. Website.
How to get there: by bus number M15 to the stop. 1 Av/E 45 Street, No. M42 to stop. 1 Av/E 42 St, Nos. 200, 250, 500 to stop. United Nations.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:45. Children under 5 years old are not allowed. Be sure to have your ID with you.
