Homicide detectives have charged a man with murder following the discovery of a woman's body in a laneway in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday morning.

Key points: The woman's body was found early Wednesday morning in the Chinatown district

The woman's body was found early Wednesday morning in the Chinatown district Police said the body was found slumped against a wall

Police said the body was found slumped against a wall A post mortem was being conducted to determine how the woman died

Police said the victim was a 32-year-old woman from the Geelong suburb of Highton and her body was found by a passer-by about 6:30am at the intersection of Little Bourke Street and Celestial Avenue.

The 32-year-old Cowes man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, and detectives charged him with one count of murder.

He is expected to appear at the Melbourne Magistrate's Court today.

A passer-by found the woman's body about 6:30am Wednesday morning. ( AAP: Stefan Postles )

Police said the woman's body was found slumped against a wall and there were no obvious signs of injury.

A post mortem was being conducted to determine the cause of the woman's death.

Forensic police officers joined homicide detectives at the crime scene. ( ABC News: Stephanie Ferrier )

The intersection of the streets sits within the city's iconic Chinatown district, which is home to dozens of restaurants and shops.

Anyone with information about the woman's death is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.