Chinatown & Regent Street

Back in Covent Garden, I picked up my original route once again.

This time it led me along Floral Street and Cranbourn Street, before the scenery changed almost instantly.

Welcome to Chinatown.

Rows upon rows of bright red lanterns stretched across the streets, creating one of the most colourful corners of London. The ornate Chinese gate may not be quite as grand as the one in Vancouver, but it certainly makes an impressive entrance.

The streets were buzzing.

Families queued outside restaurants.

People browsed Asian supermarkets.

The irresistible aromas of dumplings, roast duck and bubble tea drifted through the air.

For more than a moment, I considered abandoning my dinner plans and simply eating here instead.

The temptation was real.

But I'd been looking forward to tonight's restaurant, so I reluctantly kept walking.

Soon I reached Piccadilly Circus, where giant digital billboards lit up the evening sky and crowds flowed through the intersection from every direction.

From there, I continued onto elegant Regent Street.

The sweeping curve of the buildings, the grand architecture and the beautifully lit shopfronts made it feel almost theatrical.

Window shopping was about as close as I was going to get in most of these stores...

...but looking is free.

Eventually I turned onto Kingly Street, where the final stop of today's adventure was waiting.Read more