Culture
Chinese culture can be bewildering to the outsider or first-time visitor to Chinatown. So we've lined up the following rare opportunities for a glimpse beyond the storefronts and into the culture.
Bok Lei Po TradingA martial arts mini-superstore.
Discussion: Introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi and other martial arts.
Magic Jewelry
Custom designed crystals and stones to match an individual's aura, either as jewelry or as feng shui décor.
Individual aura imaging and reading.
Mahayana Buddhist Temple
Featuring the largest statue of Buddha in NYC at 16 feet tall. The temple's shop offers a variety of religious items like blessed power beads made from crystal and jade.
For a $1.00 donation you can select a fortune scroll and temple volunteers will interpret your fortune.
May May Gourmet Chinese Bakery
Offering a large selection of frozen Chinese comfort food, including dim sum, dumplings, buns and traditional pastries.
Overview of the significance of dim sum in Chinese culture, with dim sum sampling.
Sinotique
If you’re seeking a different spin on the usual Chinatown shop, head over to Sinotique.
Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Co.
World's leading franchise shop for premium teas and ginseng.
Experience a traditional tea ceremony (15 minutes, by appointment only) and get 10% off regularly priced merchandise (138 Lafayette St. shop only).
United East Athletic Association
This Lion Dance "academy" has trained hundreds of performers featured in parades, weddings and grand openings over the years.
Introduction to the Lion Dance, its origin, customs and history - Lion Dance team and equipment presentation: happy god, drum, gong, and cymbals - Brief Lion Dance performance.