Chinese Restaurants in Manchester

Manchester

Ask almost anyone these days the first thing that Manchester reminds them of and the answer you're most likely to hear is "Manchester United".

Manchester United Football Club, that plays at Old Trafford, nicknamed the "The Theatre of Dreams", has become the football club with the largest fan base worldwide, especially with a huge following in the Far East.

However, there is another football club in Manchester that currently (2008/9) plays in the Premiership that is attracting an increasingly large number of fans, especially as the Premiership has become a global brand.

Manchester's "other team" is Manchester City that plays at The City of Manchester Stadium, that was used for the XII Commonwealth Games in 2002.

In the 14th century Manchester had a thriving weaving industry that evolved with the Industrial Revolution into the main Lancashire trading centre for cotton. The city became one of the largest textile workplaces in the UK in the 19th century.

Another important development for Manchester was the opening in 1894 of the Manchester Ship Canal. This is a 36 mile canal that connected Manchester to the sea near Liverpool and at the time was the longest canal in the world. Even to this day (2009) the canal is still privately owned and transports almost 7 million tonnes of freight annually.

Of Manchester's architecture probably the most impressive showpiece is the 15th century Perpendicular Gothic cathedral (see photo right).

Another impressive building is the Victorian Gothic Town Hall, designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1877.

A visit to Manchester would not be complete without visiting the Lowry Museum and Art Gallery. From exhibitions of the works of art from LS Lowry to children's shows and drama activities, there is so much to see and do, for the young and the young at heart.