Liverpool is a city built on global connections, but few are as enduring or as vibrant as our link with China. As we welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse, there is no better time to explore the streets of the first Chinatown ever established in Europe.
The Horse in the Chinese Zodiac represents energy, independence, and a “can’t-sit-still” zest for life, traits that mirror the spirit of Liverpool itself. Our city’s Chinese story began in the 1860s, born from the bustling docks and the Blue Funnel Shipping Line. These sailors didn’t just bring silk and tea; they brought a culture that has shaped our “World in One City” identity for over 150 years.
If you walk down Nelson Street today, you are greeted by the magnificent Ceremonial Arch. Standing at 13.5 metres tall, it is the largest of its kind outside mainland China. Shipped piece-by-piece from our twin city, Shanghai, it features 200 hand-carved dragons. It stands as a guardian of the community, but also as a reminder of the thousands of Chinese mariners who called the Liverpool docklands home.
During the Year of the Horse, tradition tells us to embrace speed and success (Mǎ dào chéng gōng). Whether you’re marveling at the luck-bringing pregnant dragons on the arch or exploring the hidden histories of the “Two Chinatowns,” there is so much more to see than just the landmarks.
At Liverpool Walkie Talkie Tours, we love peeling back the layers of this history. From the early trading days at Cleveland Square to the resilient community that rebuilt after the Blitz, our tours bring these stories to life with the passion and energy of a galloping horse!
Ready to explore the secrets of the city? Don’t just watch the celebrations, walk the history. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Liverpool’s past and present.