Buenos Aires' Chinatown is a section of the Belgrano neighborhood with a distinctly Asian identity, shaped by a wave of immigration during the 1980s when many Asian immigrant families, primarily from Taiwan, settled there. These Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese families quickly transformed the neighborhood's character with the opening of numerous Asian restaurants, street-level shops, and even one of the city's first Buddhist temples, the Chong Kuan Temple, inaugurated in 1988 on Montañeses Street.
The best way to visit Chinatown is to enter through the imposing archway located at the corner of Juramento and Arribeños streets. From there, you'll see shops and supermarkets on both sides of the street selling typical Asian products, from imported foods to decorative items and stores specializing in manga and anime (Japanese comics and cartoons).
If you happen to be in Buenos Aires during the traditional Chinese New Year celebration (between the end of January and the beginning of February), remember to visit the area to enjoy these celebrations with numerous musical shows, activities and a large fair with food stalls, crafts, souvenirs.
Interesting facts
The entrance arch to Chinatown, made of cement and stone, was brought disassembled from China to be assembled at the entrance on Arribeños Street. It measures 11 meters in height, has three tiers of tiles, and the ends of the roofs are adorned with dragons; each column is topped with a carved stone lion at its base.