Sunday 14th February marks 2010, the year of the tiger. Chinese New Year in Birmingham attracts 20,000 people into the heart of the city centre every single year. What better time to discover the Birmingham Chinese Quarter than the dull and dreary month of February…

January and February have officially been named ‘the nothing months’. This is mainly because nothing really happens. So if you’re stuck for something fun to do this February, then get yourself down to the Chinese Quarter in Birmingham to discover an exotic taste of the orient.

Birmingham is right in the heart of the city and as opposed to cities like Liverpool, London and Cardiff, it’s distant from the coast. This explains why Chinese settlement is still pretty recent, but Birmingham’s Chinatown is already a bustling and vibrant community with so much to offer. The very first Chinese restaurant opened back in 1956 and Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter has continued to thrive year up year, decade upon decade. Today, it is colourful and full of life.

If you visit the Chinese Quarter this month, be sure to soak up all the stunning Eastern architecture, enjoy the loud and bustling atmosphere, visit the Chinese supermarkets for all those unique oriental ingredients that just can’t be found elsewhere, and of course – you musn’t forget to pop into an authentic Cantonese restaurant for a selection of afternoon Jasmine tea and Dim Sum.

Meaning “touch to the heart” dim sum is the very essence of specialist Chinese cooking. This combines sweet and savoury, meat and fish, fruit and vegetables, all delicately put together and presented in small but delicious portions. Served in a similar way to Spanish tapas, there are no limits to how little or how much dim sum you can order.  Visit the Chinese Quarter today and start exploring China on your doorstep!