🇬🇧 The Northern Capital | Manchester, UK 🏙️

Manchester, the world’s first industrialized city, is often considered the UK’s second-largest city alongside Birmingham. It’s a city with more construction sites than most, close to Liverpool’s port and coal mines. A direct train from Oxford takes 2 hours 50 mins, costing around ¥395. The city itself isn’t huge—you can explore most highlights in half a day to a full day. 📍 Chinatown 🏮 Claimed to be Europe’s second or third-largest Chinatown, though it’s much smaller than London’s. Packed with Chinese restaurants frequented by locals and tourists alike, it sits in the city center surrounded by historic buildings and museums. 📍 Manchester Art Gallery 🎨 Housed in three interconnected buildings designed by Sir Charles Barry in Greek Ionic style (1824-1835). Originally home to the Manchester Academy, it now showcases stunning art collections. 📍 Northern Quarter 🎸 A trendy district between Piccadilly and Ancoats, known for its vibrant street art, bohemian bars, indie record shops, and quirky cafés. 📍 Manchester Cathedral ⛪ Open 9:00-16:00 (Sunday from noon). A vertical Gothic-style gem with beautiful stained-glass windows featuring modern geometric patterns. 📍 People’s History Museum 📜 Open 10:00-17:00 (closed Tuesdays). Chronicles Manchester’s past, though I didn’t go inside. Nearby, the Manchester Museum (same hours) is also worth a visit. 📍 University of Manchester 🎓 Founded in 1824, it’s a founding member of the Russell Group. Known for its rigorous academics and diverse student body—apparently, 40% are Chinese students! 📍 Museum of Science & Industry 🔧⚙️ Open 10:00-17:00. Manchester pioneered the steam engine, and this museum preserves its industrial legacy inside a 100-year-old yellow-brick factory. Free entry (book online). 📍 BBC Headquarters / IWM North (War Museum) 🎥⚔️ Located on opposite sides of a canal. The BBC building is a cool photo spot, while the Imperial War Museum North serves as a sobering reminder of wartime history. 📍 Etihad Stadium (Man City) / Old Trafford (Man Utd) ⚽ Both stadiums are outside the city center in opposite directions. You can buy tickets for tours and shop for souvenirs (though half the merch is probably made in China 😆). #Manchester #UKTravel #OneDayInManchester #CityWalk #StudentTravel #UK #SoloTravel