Chinatown: Melbournes Cultural Portal Into Asia

Not for nothing is Melbourne known as the cultural capital of Australia

. The seat of the countrys worlds of art, commerce, sports, entertainment and tourism, Melbourne also has a reputation for its colorful ethnic diversity. One of the areas that best showcases this particular trait is the citys Chinatown. Established during the Victorian gold rush that elevated the city into one of the largest and wealthiest metropolises in the world, Melbournes Chinatown endures as the oldest continuous Chinatown settlement outside of Asia.

Located in Melbournes Central Business District, the Chinatown mainly centers on Little Bourke Street and extends between the corners of Swanston and Spring streets. The entrance to this community is clearly demarked by the five ornate arches that flank the area on all sides. They serve as portals to an old-world Asian streetscape of quaint buildings which house top Chinese restaurants, herbalists, fashion boutiques, bookstores, groceries and well-known arcades such as Paramount Plaza. True to the cosmopolitan spirit of Melbourne, Chinatown itself refuses to be ethnically insular; dining establishments also offers the finest in Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Contemporary European and Australian cuisine.

Tourists will also find several venues whose aesthetic beauty and cultural significance makes them a must-see. Situated at the eastern entrance to Chinatown on Spring Street, the Tianjin Garden, with its relaxing pavilion and water feature, is an iconic site that is a collaborative effort of Melbournian and Tianjin designers brought to fruition. The Chinatown Plaza has been refurbished and redeveloped into an eco-friendly venue of rock sculptures and lantern lighting. Its Facing Heaven archway is an authentic work of Chinese craftsmanship which makes a beautiful backdrop for photographs. Also located on Cohen Place is the Museum of Chinese Australian History, a treasure trove of information regarding the country's Southeast Asian heritage.

Travelers eager to experience the best of the citys multi-culturalism need not look any further than the Central Business District for prime Melbourne serviced accommodation. The Somerset on Elizabeth, in particular is less than 1 km from Chinatown as well as the citys other key commercial arenas. The hotel promises the best ofMelbourne serviced apartments, catering to both business and leisure guests, allowing them to enjoy the city in comfort and convenience.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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