Chinatown, a neighborhood in New York City that was founded in the 1870s is where many Chinese immigrants gathered and lived together. Chinatown was created as a result of Chinese migration. Chinatown’s development has brought more Chinese immigrants to this area. As immigrants move from different provinces, they are more willing to share a home with people who have the same origin. After several years, new Chinese migrants are slowly forming ethnic and cultural communities. Manhattan’s Chinatown became a New York City landmark.
Manhattan’s Chinatown was founded in 1886 and is among the oldest Chinese enclaves of the United States. More than 600,000. Chinese Americans are living and working in this area. Manhattan’s Chinatown has a great location because it borders Broadway, Little Italy and Civic Center. Tribeca is also nearby. You can easily get to this area by using public transportation, self-drives or subways.
When it comes to the ethnicity of the residents, they are all Chinese Americans. You will hardly see any Blacks, Whites, or anyone else. A lot of people, especially those in their middle age or older, like to shop here early in the day because local supermarkets have fresh fruit, vegetables, and Chinese traditional foods. In the morning, even though they live elsewhere, they like to go shopping in Chinatown. More young people were here at noon or night for shopping, dining or lunch. International students from all over the world and visitors of other nations came to this country for work. The streets were therefore busier during this period.
As can be seen, residential and commercial areas cross over. The first floor is mostly used for commercial purposes because it has different shops, like retail stores, restaurants and food markets. Because many stores are small, owners have also placed their merchandise on tables outside. This crowded the narrow streets and made us feel as if we were sardines. Upstairs are mostly offices, condos and businesses. The signs of the shops in Chinatown can also be read in Chinese, which makes it easy to distinguish between different types of stores. The research has revealed that this type of commercial activity is known as the Shopkeeper Model. This is the most popular commercial model in China. Shopkeepers in China are usually responsible for the management of their own stores. Customers can be served, repaid, or given direct advice on products.
Apartments are the most common residential type in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Chinatown has more than 50 apartments with a minimum of 100 years’ history. The apartments in Chinatown are antiquated, shabby, and old. The building has no elevators, no nice views and no big yards or garages. The location is great and the lifestyles are convenient. A lot of people are close to their neighbors as they have lived here for a long time.
Many of the immigrants who settled in Chinatown spoke dialects from their home provinces. These dialects were their main means of communication. Language allows them to adjust more quickly to a new life abroad. Cantonese speakers and those who do not speak Cantonese can be separated in Chinatown. Cantonese, the language spoken by southern Chinese province Guangdong’s residents, was the predominant language amongst immigrants of the first generations. Cantonese is the predominant language in this area, but the locals also teach their descendents traditional dialects. Cantonese then became the language used for communication. Wonton, for example, is used as the store name in Wu’s Wonton King, located at 165 East Broadway. Wonton is pronounced in Cantonese and means traditional Guangdong food. Wah Fung’s restaurant name is Hua Feng. In Cantonese, however, it is written Wah Fung. Many people not only speak Cantonese; they also speak Fuzhounese, Hokkien. Many people are now able to speak Mandarin, even if they don’t speak Cantonese. More people are now learning the main language, as many of those who visit Chinatown do not speak any other dialects.
Chinese Americans had a hard time integrating into the mainstream of American society due to discrimination against Asians in the 19th Century. They were forced to squeeze together in Chinatown for mutual assistance. In time, assimilation into American culture and the use of English by second and even third generations Chinese increased. Chinatown’s locals still practice their cultures and festivals. During Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Celebration, one can experience stunning visuals, delicious foods, and impressive performance. The New Year is welcomed by many residents and tourists of all ages. The Spring Festival is also a time for many Chinese traditions, including the dragon and the lion dance.
Chinatown has a rich history that is representative of Chinese immigration overseas. Chinatown, a crowded, compact area in New York City, still retains its cultural and linguistic features. Chinese Americans are proud of their heritage and never forget it. Chinatown serves as a port of call for Chinese immigrants living abroad.