Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

What does Chinatown smell like?

Chinatown is a dense, multi-layered floral that balances creamy white petals with a distinct, candy-like sweetness. At its heart, the fragrance is dominated by gardenia and tuberose, but these aren't your typical "fresh" greenhouse florals. Instead, they are smoothed out by peach blossom and a heavy dose of cardamom, which gives the scent a warm, textured spiciness that tickles the nose. As it settles on the skin, it takes on a gourmand quality that many describe as reminiscent of sweet, spicy woods rather than pure sugar. Wearing Chinatown feels like stepping into a vibrant, bustling atmosphere where tradition meets modernity. It is a "loud" fragrance that warms up significantly after about ten minutes on the skin, blooming into a smoky, spicy cloud. While it carries a certain powdery elegance that might feel nostalgic to some, the presence of patchouli and robust spicy notes keeps it grounded and contemporary. It is a fragrance of shifts—starting as a floral explosion and ending as a smooth, woody skin scent that lingers for hours.

Details

House: Bond No. 9
Concentration: Eau De Parfum
Gender: unisex
Year: 2005
Longevity: 8.0 / 10 · 322 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.4 / 10 · 292 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (137 votes), Spring (128 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Night Out (130 votes), Evening (123 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Sweet, Spicy, Oriental, Gourmand
Perfumer: Aurélien Guichard

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The consensus on performance is high, with the community noting excellent longevity and a sillage that actually intensifies as the fragrance warms up on the skin after application.
While officially marketed as unisex, there is an ongoing debate regarding its gender lean; many enthusiasts find the heavy white florals lean traditionally feminine, though the spicy, woody dry down attracts a dedicated male following.
Many long-term hobbyists note that their appreciation for Chinatown evolved over time, moving from finding it "too powdery" in their youth to admiring its complexity and sophisticated floral structure as their palate matured.
It is widely considered one of the most original and "interestingly composed" offerings from the Bond No. 9 house, often cited as a standout for those who find other scents from the brand too derivative.
Value opinions are split; while the scent is praised for its complexity, some community members find the retail price point steep, often recommending looking for testers or wait-list deals to justify the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chinatown smell like Baccarat Rouge 540?+

There are frequent comparisons made between the two, particularly in the dry down where both share a certain airy, sugary-sweet resonance, though Chinatown is significantly more floral and spicy due to the tuberose and cardamom.

Is this a good choice for hot summer weather?+

Most users find Chinatown performs best in the transition seasons of spring and fall. Its density and spicy-sweet profile can feel heavy or "too loud" in high summer heat, though it is a popular choice for summer evenings.

How does the scent change from the first spray to the dry down?+

It undergoes a notable shift; it begins with a bright, sweet peach blossom and gardenia opening, but after about two hours, the florals recede to reveal a spicy, woody base dominated by cardamom and patchouli.

Is Chinatown considered a gourmand fragrance?+

While it is classified as a floral sweet fragrance, many consider it "gourmand-adjacent" because of the candy-like sweetness and the warm, edible quality of the spicy notes and woods.

Appears in Collections

Unisex Fragrances3693 Eau de Parfum Fragrances1394 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With C517

Similar Fragrances

Bond No. 9

Greenwich Village

Bond No. 9

Eau De Parfum

Bond No. 9

Success is the Essence of New York

Bond No. 9

Bleecker Street

Eau De Parfum

Bond No. 9

Lafayette Street

Parfum

Bond No. 9

So New York

Bond No. 9

New York Nights

Bond No. 9

Fire Island

What does Chinatown smell like?

Chinatown is a dense, multi-layered floral that balances creamy white petals with a distinct, candy-like sweetness. At its heart, the fragrance is dominated by gardenia and tuberose, but these aren't your typical "fresh" greenhouse florals. Instead, they are smoothed out by peach blossom and a heavy dose of cardamom, which gives the scent a warm, textured spiciness that tickles the nose. As it settles on the skin, it takes on a gourmand quality that many describe as reminiscent of sweet, spicy woods rather than pure sugar. Wearing Chinatown feels like stepping into a vibrant, bustling atmosphere where tradition meets modernity. It is a "loud" fragrance that warms up significantly after about ten minutes on the skin, blooming into a smoky, spicy cloud. While it carries a certain powdery elegance that might feel nostalgic to some, the presence of patchouli and robust spicy notes keeps it grounded and contemporary. It is a fragrance of shifts—starting as a floral explosion and ending as a smooth, woody skin scent that lingers for hours.

Details

House: Bond No. 9
Concentration: Eau De Parfum
Gender: unisex
Year: 2005
Longevity: 8.0 / 10 · 322 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.4 / 10 · 292 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (137 votes), Spring (128 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Night Out (130 votes), Evening (123 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Sweet, Spicy, Oriental, Gourmand
Perfumer: Aurélien Guichard

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The consensus on performance is high, with the community noting excellent longevity and a sillage that actually intensifies as the fragrance warms up on the skin after application.
While officially marketed as unisex, there is an ongoing debate regarding its gender lean; many enthusiasts find the heavy white florals lean traditionally feminine, though the spicy, woody dry down attracts a dedicated male following.
Many long-term hobbyists note that their appreciation for Chinatown evolved over time, moving from finding it "too powdery" in their youth to admiring its complexity and sophisticated floral structure as their palate matured.
It is widely considered one of the most original and "interestingly composed" offerings from the Bond No. 9 house, often cited as a standout for those who find other scents from the brand too derivative.
Value opinions are split; while the scent is praised for its complexity, some community members find the retail price point steep, often recommending looking for testers or wait-list deals to justify the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chinatown smell like Baccarat Rouge 540?+

There are frequent comparisons made between the two, particularly in the dry down where both share a certain airy, sugary-sweet resonance, though Chinatown is significantly more floral and spicy due to the tuberose and cardamom.

Is this a good choice for hot summer weather?+

Most users find Chinatown performs best in the transition seasons of spring and fall. Its density and spicy-sweet profile can feel heavy or "too loud" in high summer heat, though it is a popular choice for summer evenings.

How does the scent change from the first spray to the dry down?+

It undergoes a notable shift; it begins with a bright, sweet peach blossom and gardenia opening, but after about two hours, the florals recede to reveal a spicy, woody base dominated by cardamom and patchouli.

Is Chinatown considered a gourmand fragrance?+

While it is classified as a floral sweet fragrance, many consider it "gourmand-adjacent" because of the candy-like sweetness and the warm, edible quality of the spicy notes and woods.

What are the best occasions to wear this fragrance?+

Chinatown is highly versatile but excels in social settings like nights out, evening events, or leisure activities. Its distinct personality makes it less common as a strict "business" or office scent, as it is designed to be noticed.

I’ve heard this fragrance described as powdery. Is that accurate?+

Yes, many enthusiasts identify a powdery texture within the floral heart. If you typically dislike powdery scents, you may find this challenging, though others feel the spiciness balances the powder.

Accords

Notes

HeartTuberose//Peach blossom//Cardamom//Woods//Peony//Spicy notes//Patchouli//Gardenia

Appears in Collections

Unisex Fragrances3693 Eau de Parfum Fragrances1394 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With C517

Similar Fragrances

Bond No. 9

Greenwich Village

Bond No. 9

Eau De Parfum

Bond No. 9

Success is the Essence of New York

Bond No. 9

Bleecker Street

Eau De Parfum

Bond No. 9

Lafayette Street

Parfum

Bond No. 9

So New York

Bond No. 9

New York Nights

Bond No. 9

Fire Island

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

Where to buy Chinatown

100ml

Checked Oct 8

PerfumaniaOut of stock

$279.95Check

Price history

100ml price trendAt tracked low of $279.95

Amazon

Price not trackedBuy

No price tracked yet. Join the list and we'll email you if one shows up.

Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.