Things to do in Manchester

The city of Manchester has established itself as one of the most dynamic, progressive and vibrant cities in the whole of the UK. Buzzing with life all day and night, it has become an attractive, cosmopolitan city offering the widest range of activities for both locals and visitors. Shopping, music, culture, nightlife, sport – Manchester has become famous for every one of these and more. Situated in the heart of the north-west of England, the city is ideally located and easily accessible from every direction, especially since it has one of the country's biggest international airports. Manchester will always be internationally famous for its sporting achievements, from hosting the 2002 Commonwealth Games to being home to the world's most famous football club. Manchester United is one of the most successful teams in European football history, and a visit to their world-renowned Old Trafford stadium is a must for any sports fan. Fans can receive guided tours around the whole ground – even in the players' dressing rooms and this can be done relatively cheapily. The stadium also boasts a museum on the club's glorious past, containing trophies, kits and memorabilia. Speaking of museums, Manchester has a number of the top museums in the country, including the Urbis, which is in a funky glass building at the heart of the city, and the Museum of Science and Industry. There is also Manchester Museum, which contains many wonders of history and nature, such as Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the second most complete T-Rex ever found.

Manchester also has a strong art heritage and the Lowry art gallery houses a collection of some of the most impressive works of LS Lowry, the painter who captured the essence of this city in its industrial heyday. There is even an art gallery, Whitworth Art Gallery which is owned by the University of Manchester. Shopaholics will also find plenty to entertain them in Manchester. Since the regeneration of the city during the 1990s it has become one of the best places to shop in Britain, with a huge selection of some of the world's top stores. The massive Arndale Centre contains many of these, as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants for shoppers to enjoy a break. Of course, the city has also attained legendary status in the world of music, producing groups such as The Hollies, The Bee Gees, The Smiths, Oasis and Take That. And then there's Joy Division, New Order, 10cc, the Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Morrissey…..Manchester's music heritage is unparalleled. And as such, anyone who is anyone will play Manchester on their European tour, at venues such as the world-class MEN Arena, Manchester Apollo and Manchester Academy near the uni.

If that wasn't enough, the city hosts other events, such as In the City, when hundreds of bands and artists play in every corner of the city centre. Meanwhile, legendary venues such as the Night and Day, the Roadhouse and Manchester Academy host thousands of unsigned bands and are a haven for music lovers from across the city. Manchester also has one of the biggest China towns in Europe, located just behind Piccadilly Plaza around George Street and Charlotte Street, off Mosley Street behind the City Art Gallery. There are many other ethnicities represented in Chinatown, including Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean, Nepalese, Italian, French and Japanese shops and restaurants. The Chinese district is dominated by the Imperial Chinese Archway, a gift to the City from the Chinese people, (pictured), the only one in Europe, and even more decorative than that found in San Francisco.