Chinatown
Click Map for a larger view
So-named because of its 1800s cattle and corn markets, the Haymarket area is best known today for exotic Chinatown.
Sydney’s original Chinese community settled in The Rocks, but moved here in the early 1900s. Many of these people were market gardeners and traders, and shops and restaurants naturally followed – especially in Dixon Street, the heart of Chinatown.
Nearby Liverpool Street boasts Sydney’s growing ‘Spanish Quarter’ and the region is also home to the City’s cinema precinct, Central Station and the Light Rail terminus, Belmore Park and the vast World Square development.
Leisure
Parks & Open spaces
To book a City park or open space:
Tel: 02 9265 9550 / 9265 9946 / 9246 7805
Email: openspacebookings@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Belmore Park
Since 1868, Belmore Park has been an important green space in the city. Located adjacent to Haymarket and Central Station, it is popular with tai-chi enthusiasts.
Walking
Historical Walking Tour
The City’s self-guided historical walking tour – Community – takes in the Spanish Quarter and Chinatown and will introduce you to this former industrial area. Download a brochure or pick one up from any Council Location.
Cycling
Over 200 bicycle parking rings have been installed on to the
City's 'Smartpole’ street lighting system. Locations include
Broadway and Bathurst, Liverpool and George Streets. A limited
number of longer-term bike lockers are available in the Goulburn
Street
Parking
Station for $2 per day, and U-rail parking is available at:
- Castlereagh Street – west side, south of Bathurst Street
Swimming pools
Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills
Chalmers Street, Corner of Cleveland Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Prince Alfred Park Pool has closed for the approved redevelopment of the park and facilities.
More Info >>
Tennis
The closest tennis courts are:
Prince Alfred Park Tennis Courts, Surry Hills
Jensen’s Tennis Centre
Tel: 02 9698 9451
Chalmers Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
More Info>>
Library
Haymarket Library
Tel: 02 8019 6477
Fax: 02 9265 9979
Email: library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
744 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed
Holiday Opening Hours
Thursday 24 December: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 25 December 2009 through to Friday 1 January 2010: CLOSED
Saturday 2 January 2010: 10am - 4pm
More Info >>
Entertainment
Museums, Galleries & Attractions
Asia-Australia Arts Centre (Gallery 4A)
181–187 Hay St, Haymarket
Tel: 02 9212 0380
Web: www.4a.com.au
Exhibitions, talks, workshops and more.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Darling Harbour
Tel: 02 9281 6863
Web: www.chinesegarden.com.au
Movies
Theatres and performance venues
Shopping
The area is particularly famous for its Chinese stores, mainly in Dixon Street, selling imported clothing and homewares, Chinese herbs, and exotic foodstuffs such as pressed duck, Asian greens and dried mushrooms.
There’s more great shopping at Sydney’s Paddy’s Markets, where you can buy everything from vegetables to clothing, and the Market City complex above Paddy’s, with Sydney’s largest Asian supermarket, gifts, homewares, jewellery, and over 30 low-price factory outlets that sell men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.
Web: www.sydney-shopping.com.au
Dining
This area has an incredible range of restaurants and is one of Sydney’s best dining precincts. There are over 60 restaurants and food court stalls around Chinatown and Haymarket, offering many Chinese regional specialities, plus Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese and Malaysian cuisines.
Many establishments serve the ever popular yum cha, irresistible sweet and savoury snacks that are wheeled around on trolleys, generally between 10am and 2pm. For a complete contrast, visit near by Liverpool Street, where there are some excellent Spanish restaurants.
Did You Know?
The City's Chinese New Year Festival is renowned as one of the largest and most spectacular Lunar New Year celebrations outside Asia.
Central Station, which opened in 1906, was built on the site of the old Devonshire Street Cemetery. All tombstones and bodies were removed and reinterred elsewhere to make way for the new station.
Last Updated: Thursday 22 October, 2009