Visit London, visit the world FEATURE

London is one of the world's most ethnic cities, and it's possible to visit the world in a city in the space of a day. Take a trek through London's districts with our guide to the city's vibrant ethnic communities.

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Samuel Johnson once remarked: By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show. This is only a slight exaggeration: those who visit London can also easily visit ethnic neighborhoods that resemble India, Jamaica, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and Africa.

Visit London, and you can visit the world, often in the space of a single day.

India

Visitors to London's Southall might be forgiven for forgetting they were in London. Southall throbs with the heartbeat of India.

Visitors hear Indian music in passing cars and from open windows, and the scent of spicy curry entices visitors. Southall is a vegetarian's paradise, owing to the presence of its Jains, a small Indian religion that teaches vegetarianism. Hindu and Sikh temples welcome visitors with open arms.

Jamaica and the Caribbean

Bob Marley lives on in Brixton, the center of London's large and thriving Caribbean community. Travellers will find a pulsing and energetic marketplace filled with dreadlocked shoppers and the aroma of Jamaican jerk chicken.

Most residents still speak with the famous Jamaican patois and many are happy to speak with visitors and pose for photographs. This neighbourhood is located only a few stops from Victoria station and makes for an easy day trip from some of the better established sites north of the Thames.

Africa

Africa is a beautiful and exotic place, but it can be difficult to visit. Thankfully, visitors to London can readily visit Africa by hopping on the Tube and visiting Peckham or Upton Park, where Ghanaian food and culture abound.

Visitors may spot people in traditional African clothing on the streets especially on Sunday and will see African mosques and churches throughout south and east London.

China

London's Chinatown sits in Soho in the City of Westminster. It is a well-known destination and features souvenirs, food, and a spectacular Chinese New Year parade.

The Chinese community has grown rapidly over the past few years, and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of cultural events. Check with the British Chinese Society for a schedule of events.

Bangladesh

More than 200,000 Londoners hail from Bangladesh. Each April or May, London plays host to the world's largest Bengali festival outside Bangladesh itself.

The event features music, dancing and a fair. Many Bangladeshis attend the festival dressed in colorful native costumes. Visitors during the rest of the year can still catch a glimpse of Bengali culture in east London, especially around Bethnal Green.

Visitors to London should make a point of visiting its ethnic districts. They offer tourists the chance to broaden their horizons far beyond the borders of Europe, and can turn a vacation to Europe into a world tour in miniature.

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