Manhattan’s Chinatown is one of New York City’s most popular tourist spots. People love visiting for tasty food and fun photos, but many don’t know the deep history of the neighborhood.
Roger Lee, who grew up in Chinatown, wanted to change that. So he and his childhood friend, Bernice Pfluger, started Chinatown Legacy Tours. Their goal is to help visitors understand the real stories, culture, and struggles of the community.
Roger says tourists often miss the true meaning of Chinatown — its resilience, long history, and strong food culture. Since he grew up there, he knows the people, the shops, and the hidden details. The tours are led by locals who have lived in the area for years, making the experience personal and authentic.
I joined their Chinatown Underworld Premium Experience, and it was unlike any tour I’ve ever taken. One of our guides was Michael Lau, a former NYPD officer who worked in Chinatown during the 1980s and 90s, when gang violence was common. As we walked with him, almost every street reminded him of a real story from the past.
Then we met another guide — a former member of the Flying Dragons gang. He talked openly about his life, how he joined the gang, and what those years were like. Standing on Pell Street, the gang’s old territory, made his stories even more real.
We also visited Chinatown Fight Club, a boxing gym that once used to be the gang’s headquarters. The walls and floors still show signs of its history.
Even though I’ve been visiting Chinatown for years, this tour showed me things I never knew. I realized places I visit often — like my hairdresser — are next to historic spots with big stories behind them.
Roger believes these tours can help Chinatown recover from the pandemic, rising rents, and fewer tourists. Many shops now close early, and the neighborhood needs more support. By sharing real stories, Roger hopes visitors will feel more connected and support local businesses.
The tours are growing in popularity and have even attracted celebrity guests like comedian Ronny Chieng, Andrew Fung from the Fung Brothers, and WABC-TV reporter CeFaan Kim.
#ChinatownNYC #ChinatownLegacyTours #NYCTours #HiddenHistory #LocalStories #NYCTravel #ChinatownCulture #SupportLocal #TravelExperiences #NewYorkCity