7 reasons to visit Chinatown Madrid, the new trendy destination

Chinatown Madrid is a city that offers a great diversity of options for tourism, culture and leisure. Chinatown Madrid is located in the district of Usera, south of the capital. It is an area that is home to the largest concentration of the Chinese community in Spain, and has become a place of reference to learn about the gastronomy, history and life of this Asian country.

If you want to discover why Madrid's Chinatown is the new trendy destination, we give you 7 reasons to visit it.

1. Taste authentic Chinese food in Chinatown Madrid

One of the main attractions of Madrid's Chinatown is its gastronomic offer. Here you can find restaurants serving the true and spectacular Chinese cuisine, with a very wide regional variety.

You can taste from the most typical dishes of Cantonese cuisine, such as dim sum or lacquered duck, to the spiciest specialties of Sichuan cuisine, such as mapo tofu or kung pao. You can also try delicacies from other regions, such as Peking duck, sweet and sour pork from Shanghai, fried rice from Yunnan or noodles from Shaanxi. In addition, you can enjoy Chinese pastries, with sweets such as mooncakes, sesame fritters or glutinous rice balls.

If you would like to learn how to order food in Mandarin Chinese you can read an article here

2. Learn about Chinese culture and history in Chinatown Madrid

Chinatown Madrid is not only a place to eat, but also to learn. Here you can find cultural centers that are responsible for promoting the Chinese language and culture, such as the Chinese Cultural Center in Madrid or the Confucius Institute in Madrid.

In these spaces you can attend exhibitions, conferences, workshops, courses and activities related to art, literature, Chinese writing, philosophy, music and Chinese dance. You can also visit the Chinese Senior Center of Usera, where you can watch how members meet to play ping pong, Chinese chess, mahjong or to rehearse traditional music.

3. Enjoy leisure and entertainment in Chinatown Madrid

Chinatown Madrid also offers options for leisure and entertainment. Here you can find shops, bazaars, supermarkets and shops with typical Chinese products, from clothing, accessories, crafts, decoration, to food, drinks, spices, tea or traditional medicine.

You can also find movie theaters, karaoke bars, beauty salons, massages and acupuncture, where you can relax and have fun. In addition, you can participate in the parties and events that are organized to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Festival of Light, the Lantern Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival, where you can see dragon shows, lions, fireworks, lanterns and dances.

4. Get to know the people and life of the neighborhood

Another reason to visit Madrid's Chinatown is to meet the people and life of the neighborhood. Here you can interact with the neighbors, who are mostly of Chinese origin, but also of other nationalities, such as Spanish, Latin American, African or Arab.

You will be able to talk to them, learn about their customs, their stories, their dreams and their challenges. You will also be able to see how daily life unfolds in the neighborhood, from dawn to dusk, with the bustle of markets, schools, businesses, associations and families.

5. Discover street art and architecture

Chinatown Madrid also has its artistic and architectural charm. Here you can admire the urban art that decorates the facades, walls, bridges and squares, with graffiti, murals, posters and stickers that reflect the identity, diversity and creativity of the neighbourhood.

You will also be able to see the architecture that mixes the old and the modern, the eastern and the western, with buildings, houses, portals, arches and lampposts that give a unique character to the neighborhood.

6. Explore the surroundings and nearby places

Chinatown Madrid is also in a good location for exploring the surrounding area and nearby places. Here you can easily access Madrid Río, the large linear park that borders the Manzanares River, where you can walk, play sports, play, rest or enjoy the views.

You can also visit the Matadero Madrid, the centre for contemporary creation that hosts exhibitions, shows, concerts, workshops and festivals. In addition, you can visit other interesting spaces, such as the Manzanares Linear Park, the Caja Mágica, the Plaza Río 2 Shopping Centre or the Palacio de Cristal de Arganzuela.

7. Take the opportunity to learn Chinese

The last reason to visit Madrid's Chinatown is to take advantage of the opportunity to learn Chinese, the most spoken language in the world and one of the most demanded in the workplace and academics. Here you can find schools, academies and teachers that teach Chinese classes for all levels, ages and objectives.

You will be able to learn everything from the alphabet, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, to writing, reading, comprehension and oral expression. You will also be able to practice Chinese with native speakers, residents or students, and improve your fluency, confidence and culture.

Conclusion

As you can see, Madrid's Chinatown is a place that has a lot to offer, both for tourists and locals. It is a destination that allows you to get to know an ancient culture, taste exquisite cuisine, enjoy varied leisure, meet friendly people, discover original art, explore attractive surroundings and learn a useful language.

If you want to live a different, fun and enriching experience, do not hesitate to visit Madrid's Chinatown, the new trendy destination.

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