Piccadilly ward
Street parking & car parks in Chinatown
Chinatown is Manchester's vibrant culinary and cultural heart—a dense network of Cantonese restaurants, dim sum spots, and independent shops crammed into tight Victorian streets. Parking here needs a plan: street bays are competitive, but car parks nearby offer reliable alternatives when you check live reports in the Parkwise app.
Recommended parking
Top options with confirmed prices where we have them, then nearest — mapped with street bays and car parks in Chinatown. Tap a numbered pin or list card for details.
29 locations mappedChina Town Car Park
Car Park · Deansgate
- Type
- Car Park
- Price
- Paid · £3.90/hr · £26.50/day
- Max stay
- No limit
- Hours
- Mon–Sun · 24 hours
- Operator
- Manchester City Council
- Distance
- 87 m from centre
- Address
- China Town, M1 4EE
Good to know
- • Surface car park
- • Charges: Up to 1 hour £3.90 · Up to 2 hours £6.10 · Up to 3 hours £8.60 · Up to 4 hours £10.30 · Up to 5 hours £13.00 · Up to 6 hours £15.00 · Up to 24 hours £26.50
- • Up to 12 hours evening/overnight £8.40 (Any single visit between 5pm-6am for up to 12 hours)
- • Blue Badge holders are only exempt from payment if parked within a marked disabled bay; if parked within any other bay they are not exempt from payment
- • All payments cashless — pay on arrival by app or ticket machine
Numbered pins are our recommended parking — tap one for details. Every other dot is a mapped street bay or car park on the growing Parkwise map. Recent driver-reported availability is in the app only — Open Parkwise →
Why these picks?
1 · Our pick
Closest dedicated car park to core Chinatown. Located on the edge of Chinatown itself, this is the nearest multi-storey for diners and shoppers. Tariff is £3.90 per hour or £26.50 per day. A short walk gets you into the heart of Faulkner Street and the restaurants—ideal if street bays are full during service hours.
2 · Our pick
Right on Faulkner Street. Faulkner Street is the spine of Chinatown, home to most of the major restaurants and the Chinese Arts Centre. This car park sits directly on that street, making it a zero-fuss choice when you want to park and walk straight into dining or cultural venues. Check Parkwise for current tariff and live space counts.
3 · Our pick
Larger car park just east of Chinatown. A paid operator car park on the Piccadilly side of Chinatown, it offers more bays and is useful if the smaller car parks are full. It's a short walk into the restaurant core, and live reports in Parkwise will help you confirm space before you arrive.
What's nearby?
A few reasons drivers park here — and where bays tend to fill first.
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
Contemporary art and cultural events on Faulkner Street. Parking near the building is tight during openings — a nearby multi-storey is often calmer than circling.
Gate of Chinatown
The red and gold archway at the northern entrance is a natural meeting point. Surrounding streets park densely at meal times — check published options before you arrive.
- Our favourite
Faulkner Street dining
Chinatown’s main strip for Cantonese restaurants and dim sum. Arrive early at weekends if you want a street bay; otherwise use a nearby car park and walk in.
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Chinatown parking tips
Street bays fill quickly during lunch service and Friday–Saturday evenings; check live reports in Parkwise before you drive to avoid circling.
Weekday mornings between 10:00 and 11:30 tend to be quieter on street, giving you a better chance of a bay.
If you're planning to stay more than two hours, a car park is often less stressful than hunting for street parking in tight lanes.
One-way streets and narrow passages mean reverse parking is common; allow extra time if you're parking on street.
Sunday afternoons draw families and casual diners, but availability is typically less frantic than Saturday evenings.
Use Parkwise to check live reports and compare street availability with nearby car parks in real time.
Beyond the guide
Search the map · Check recent availability
This page was designed as a practical guide to parking around Chinatown. For a more up-to-date picture before you travel, open Parkwise for the full searchable map, useful filters and recent availability reports shared by drivers nearby.
Chinatown parking questions
Is there street parking in Chinatown?
Yes, but availability is tight, especially during service hours and weekends. Limited-waiting bays are scattered across Faulkner Street, Sackville Street, and nearby lanes. Check live reports in the Parkwise app to see what's available before you arrive.
What's the nearest car park to Chinatown restaurants?
China Town Car Park is on the edge of the core Chinatown area and is the closest multi-storey option. Faulkner Street Car Park sits directly on Faulkner Street itself. Both are a short walk to the main restaurants and attractions. Check Parkwise for live availability and current tariffs.
Is parking free in Chinatown?
Street bays in Chinatown operate under limited waiting restrictions, not free bays. Car parks are paid. For exact tariffs and the current cost of parking at any specific location, check Parkwise, which shows live rates and availability.
How do I pay for parking in Chinatown?
Parkwise shows you where parking is available, but we don't handle payment. Most street bays use RingGo or PayByPhone; car parks have their own payment systems. Payment details and instructions are displayed on-site at each location.
Is parking easier on Sunday?
Sundays are quieter than Saturdays, but Chinatown still attracts families and casual diners, particularly in the afternoon. Street availability improves in the morning. Check live reports in Parkwise to confirm what's available before you drive.
What's the best time to park near Chinatown?
Weekday mornings (10:00–11:30) and early afternoons (14:00–17:00) tend to have more availability. Friday and Saturday evenings are busy. Use Parkwise to check live reports and plan around restaurant service times.
Which ward is Chinatown in?
Chinatown is in Manchester's Piccadilly ward, between the Northern Quarter and Piccadilly, in the city centre.
How do I find live parking availability in Chinatown?
Download the Parkwise app and search for Chinatown or specific streets like Faulkner Street. Live reports from the community show which bays and car parks have space right now, helping you decide whether to try street parking or head to a car park.