Doyers Street: the iconic street of Chinatown in New York

New York's Chinatown is worth a visit for its immersive atmosphere. Don't leave the neighborhood without walking down Doyers Street.

An Asian Street in the Heart of New York

With Chinese signs and Asian grocery stores on every corner, the Chinatown neighborhood feels like a journey within a journey. Walk down Canal Street and you’ll feel transported to Asia—right in the middle of Manhattan and the heart of New York. But there’s one quiet street you shouldn’t miss if you want to experience the real soul of Chinatown: Doyers Street.
This small street connects Pell Street to Bowery and is one of New York’s shortest streets. It stretches just 61 m (200 ft) long. It’s also curved and narrow. But don’t worry—it’s easy to find and only a short detour from Canal Street.

Doyers Street is best known for its dark past and the nickname “Bloody Angle.” In the 1930s, when the Tong gangs controlled the neighborhood, this street became the site of brutal ambushes and violent feuds—often fought with axes. This violence continued for years. In 1994, an official report identified Doyers Street as the location with the highest rate of violent crime in the United States.
More than twenty years later, Chinatown has transformed completely and you can walk Doyers Street safely today. But the street’s violent history and its distinctive curved shape will certainly give you chills as you explore. Welcome to New York’s most exotic neighborhood!