16 Timeless Glimpses of Chinatown, NYC’s Past

History 3 days ago

Tucked out in the heart of Lower Manhattan, New York City’s Chinatown stands as one of the oldest and also most vibrant Chinese communities throughout the entirety of the Western Hemisphere. We’ll take a look at a collection of vintage photos that paint a vivid picture of what Chinatown in New York City used to look like back in the day.

1. A visceral shot of Chinatown in NYC back in the sixties.

A vintage city street scene shows people walking and gathering outside restaurants with neon signs in English and Chinese, including "Wo Ping Restaurant," and parked vehicles lining the road.
axasque

Looks to be another busy day out in Chinatown, NYC.

2. Chinatown in NYC was really the place to be in the sixties.

A busy street scene in Chinatown with people walking on the sidewalk, parked vintage cars, and colorful signs for Chinese restaurants and businesses hanging from buildings.
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All the different colors really make this shot pop.

3. Chinatown, Manhattan, NYC, 1978

An elderly man wearing a dark coat and hat stands with a cane, looking upward. Two blurred figures are in the background, one walking away and another partially visible with a cane. The scene appears to be on a city street.
axlcobainvedder

This guy is clearly a legend.

4. Everyone looking sharply dressed out in Chinatown, NYC, in the sixties.

A group of people in coats and hats gather outside a storefront with Chinese signage in an urban setting. Nearby, a child crouches by a fire hydrant and pedestrians walk by a distinctive phone booth.

The outfits of the olden days really were on another level.

5. Making a quick call in Chinatown, NYC back in the seventies.

A man uses a public payphone in Chinatown, with Chinese characters on the booth and surrounding shop signs. Classic cars are parked nearby on a busy urban street.
axlcobainvedder

We really got to bring back the days of using telephone booths.

6. A stunning shot of Chinatown, NYC back in the late 1960s.

A busy city street lined with shops and Chinese signs, including a large "CHOP SUEY" sign. Several people are walking or talking, and tall modern buildings rise in the background.
axlcobainveder

It almost feels like you’re there.

7. Tour guide and tourists, Chinatown, NYC, 1940s

A group of people stand on a city sidewalk looking up at restaurant signs, including ones reading "Kwong Ning" and "Chop Suey," in a neighborhood with historic buildings and fire escapes.
axlcobainvedder

The tour guides really used to be huge back in the day.

8. Chinatown (NYC), Hop Shing, 9 Chatham Square (1978) 

Black and white photo of people standing outside Hop Shing Restaurant. An elderly woman walks by with an umbrella, and there are boxes and trash on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
emilebocain

Seems to be a slow-moving day out in NYC as opposed to the normal pace of life.

9. Micheline Catty, from France, paints en plein air on a street in Chinatown

A woman in a coat and beret paints on an easel outdoors, while a man stands beside her on a city street lined with apartments and shops. Signs with Chinese characters and "NO PARKING" are visible.
axlcobainvedder

You can tell how stunning the picture is just from this shot alone.

10. Chinatown, NYC in the 1970s

A street scene shows people celebrating with a traditional lion dance in front of Chinese restaurants and shops, as confetti covers the ground and onlookers watch the lively festivities.
intiko

The colorization of this photo really brings everything to life.

11. Chinatown, Pell Street in 1909

Black-and-white photo of a busy city street lined with American flags, shops with signs in Chinese, people walking, a street vendor cart, and fire escapes on tall buildings, likely early 20th-century Chinatown.
deleted

Now that’s a back-in-the-day glimpse of Chinatown, NYC.

12. Andy Warhol eating in a Chinatown restaurant at 1:35 a.m. (1966)

Black and white photo of a busy diner with people sitting at tables. Two staff members in aprons stand near the kitchen. A clock and a "Ladies" restroom door are visible at the back of the narrow room.
anonymous

We see you, Andy Warhol.

13. English model and actress Jean Shrimpton in Chinatown in NYC, 1962

A stylish woman leans against a pole on a busy city street. Neon signs advertise seafood and restaurants. Several people walk or stand nearby, giving a lively urban, vintage feel to the scene.
giajuar2023

Definitely a stunner.

14. That seems like a lovely place to enjoy a meal.

A man in underwear sits on a fire escape, drinking from a large bowl, overlooking a busy city street filled with cars, trucks, and buildings in black and white.
deleted

Nothing like a meal on a fire escape when one is lucky enough to live somewhere in NYC.

15. Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, New York, 28th, January 1960

A woman in a white coat holds a decorated parasol, standing in a parade car with children, surrounded by a festive crowd on a city street lined with neon signs and buildings.
notbob1959

Yeah, everyone seems to be having a ball.

16. Tony, Chinatown, New York City (1981)

A person stands on a city sidewalk in front of a metal gate, wearing a Ramones band T-shirt, with one hand in their pocket and keys hanging from their belt. The photo is in black and white.
zsrreport

Love the shirt too.

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