Brick Lane Travel

Start from Aldgate East tube station in the morning, heading north along Brick Lane main street. Both sides are densely covered with graffiti works by street art masters including Banksy, Stik, ROA and Ben Eine — the giant mural on Hanbury Street and the rotating creations at Seven Stars Yard are most worth stopping for. Enter the Truman Brewery complex (founded in 1660), browsing vintage leather jackets, vinyl records and handmade accessories at the Sunday flea market. Enjoy Jamaican jerk chicken or Vietnamese banh mi for lunch at Upmarket food court. In the afternoon, explore Rough Trade East record store (5,000 sq ft vinyl heaven), then stroll to Spitalfields Market to admire Victorian architecture and boutique crafts. Take photos in front of Christ Church Spitalfields (Hawksmoor's Baroque masterpiece) in the evening, and check into a Shoreditch boutique hotel.

In the morning, browse the early artisan market at Old Spitalfields Market, selecting independent designers' leather goods and jewellery. Head south along Brick Lane to visit Jamme Masjid mosque — this building constructed in 1744 has served as a Huguenot church and a Jewish synagogue, witnessing generations of immigrant faith transitions. Enjoy an authentic Bengali curry lunch at Aladin or City Spice, trying Sylheti-style fish curry and freshly baked naan bread. In the afternoon, explore contemporary art exhibitions at Whitechapel Gallery, or experience community culture at Altab Ali Park. In the evening, return to Brick Lane, joining the late-night queue in London tradition at Beigel Bake, biting into a salt beef bagel slathered with coarse grain mustard — East London's final ritual for night owls.