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Chinatown Toronto is one of the largest in North America. The present downtown Chinatown
is centered at Spadina Avenue and Dundas street, Toronto. First developed in the late 19th
century, it is one of several major Chinese-Canadian communities in the Greater Toronto Area. There's
another one located east of the Don Valley called Chinatown Two or Chinatown East. With
the population changes of recent decades, it has come to reflect a diverse set of East
Asian cultures through its shops and restaurants, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai. The
major Chinese malls in the area are Dragon City and Chinatown Centre.
Chinatown Toronto is the place to go to buy medicinal herbs, cheap sunglasses, shoes and
fruit and vegetables. In the summer, it's teeming with tourists, area residents, bargain-hunting
shoppers and funky folk. Take your pick of restaurants for a dose of authentic Chinese
food after a night out on the town — many are open 24 hours. In the winter the Chinatown
Centre, at 222 Spadina Ave., is the place to hang, with all varieties of Chinese-made
clothing, accessories, home decor items and toys available. In the food court, sample
yummy Oriental fast-food. On the newly refurbished Spadina Ave., check
out the outdoor sculptures of dragons and other Chinese mythical figures mounted atop
pillars at Chinatown Toronto. Competition from commercial developments in
suburban Chinese communities also drew wealth and professional immigrants away from downtown.
Unlike those newer developments in the suburbs, Chinatown's economy relies heavily on tourism
and Chinese seniors. As many younger, higher-income immigrants settled elsewhere in the city,
those left in the district are typically from older generations who depend on downtown's
Vietnam are now the faces of Toronto's old Chinatown and turning some parts into Little
Saigon. Latin American immigrants are also moving into Toronto's old Chinatown.
In the 2000s, downtown neighbourhoods became more attractive to urban professionals and
young people who work in the Financial District, leading to the gentrification of surrounding
areas and potentially changing the face of old Chinatown.
Chinatown Toronto is one of the attractions in Toronto.