I will be staying at 59 West 46th st. How can I take a subway to Chinatown? Is it safe?

Subway is safe. If you're riding at night and feel concerned, stand in the "off hours" area on the platform and board the car with the conductor, who you will see hanging out a window somewhere mid-train.

The subway stop Chinatown is Canal St. An train more toward the east side will be closer. There are a number of trains, with or without connections. You could opt for the Broadway line (N, R) or the Lexington line (6) depending on which way you want to walk. Stops for either of these near your hotel are at 42nd and 49th/51st Sts. If you took the closest subway to your hotel, the Sixth Ave line (F) at Rockefeller Center (49th St), you'd have to change to the 6 train at Broadway/Lafayette.

For any of these trains, once on Canal St, walk east to Mott St and then south for the main drag of Chinatown.

Without my wanting them, those silly icons showed up!

That devil head should refers to the Lexington Ave 6 train. The Sixth Ave F train showed up as a flower. Yikes!

Just look at a subway map once you are here. I believe that every North-South subway line in Manhattan has a stop at Canal Street except for the F train.

Yes, it's safe...safer than driving a car.

The F train doesn't stop in Chinatown due to construction on the Manhattan Bridge. You can take the F or V to West 4th Street and catch the Shuttle to Grand Street. These are the only trains on the Sixth Ave line that go below 34th Street.

Don't complicate a simple subway trip. Two choices - walk to Gr. Central. Take the #6 train to Canal Street - OR -- walk to TImes Square station and take an N or R train to Canal St.