3. Johannesburg, South Africa

In Johannesburg, there are actually two Chinatowns – the old and the new.

The new Chinatown in Cyrildene’s Derrick Avenue has flourished sincethe old area on Commissioner Street became run down and dilapidated.

The Chinese population migrated and here there’s everything from Chinese-run electronics stores to massage parlours and canteen-style restaurants.  

southafrica.net

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Trade in the red lights of Amsterdam’s seediest district for the fluorescent signs of Chinatown on Zeedijk Street.

The largest Chinese-style Buddhist temple in Europe, called Fo Guang Shan He Hua, is here and is free to visitors every day except Monday.

After visiting, whet your appetite with a stroll past the restaurants that showcase juicy ducks roasting in the windows, or pick up a waving golden cat (thought to bring wealth) from the Chinese trinket stores. 

amsterdam.info/chinatown

5. San Francisco, US

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia, and for Chinese New Year it draws more than 400,000 people to mark the celebrations.

Festivities include the New Year Parade, a colourful procession of stilt walkers, acrobats, school marching bands and dancers, who make their way through the streets ahead of a huge, 201-foot-long golden dragon.

When the parade finishes, thousands of firecrackers are set off. 

sanfranciscochinatown.com

Photos: Getty; Thinkstock