Your TL;DR Travel Guide to Chinatown
TL;DR: Los Angeles’s Chinatown is an important, vibrant community rich with history. As a fairly quiet neighborhood, Saturdays during the day will give you access to most businesses, but visiting during the week will help you have a more peaceful experience. With beautiful photogenic architecture, amazing local businesses, and fantastic food, Chinatown is a must-visit. Expect to pay some money for parking or transportation. Public restrooms can also be tricky to find.
- What Makes Chinatown Special
- How to Get There & Parking
- Walk Around and Check out the Local Shops & Buildings
- Visit the Chinese American Museum
- Grab a Tea or Coffee
- Pick Up Some Baked Goods
- Explore More of Los Angeles
On my first trip to Chinatown, I remember wandering around, wide-eyed, looking at the beautiful architecture. It was a rainy day, so the bright and colorful buildings shone against the grey sky – and I was hooked. Chinatown tends to be a quieter neighborhood than you may expect, with many businesses operating on different hours. Saturdays during the day tends to be the best time to catch most places open, but there is still plenty to see even if you do visit during business down time.
L.A.’s Chinatown is a great place to visit – at any time of the view. However, with the Lunar New Year quickly approaching, the festivities are the perfect excuse to get to know this beautiful district and appreciate the culture behind it. In fact, Chinatown’s 125th annual Golden Dragon Parade is happening on February 17th! While you are in the area, here are a few more things to consider adding to your travel itinerary.
What Makes Chinatown Special
Did you know that the current Chinatown is not the original location? Recognized as “New Chinatown,” this neighborhood was established in 1938. Prior to that, the original Chinatown was actually located just a short distance away over by Union Station (which is why Chinatown was initially demolished). There was also a third chinatown, China City, which unfortunately faced many fires that eventually led to its full closure in the 1940s.
All of this illustrates just some of the resilience the Chinese American community has had to demonstrate in the city of Los Angeles. As a beautiful community and having faced so many ongoing difficulties, this charming district continues to shine vibrantly in the heart of Central L.A. There is so much to be said on why this area is special – but to understand it best, I recommend stopping by and learning it firsthand.
How to Get There & Parking
Public Transit Stations
- Metrolink Station Stop: LA Union Station (some walking required)
Cesar Chavez & N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - Light Rail Station Stop: Chinatown Station (Line A)
1231 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Parking
There are plenty of street parking and paid public parking lots. I find that Central Plaza’s small lot next to the Bruce Lee Statue is convenient and costs around $10. Usually, I’m able to find a spot there, but if you are visiting during the Lunar New Year Festival, then parking may be a bit harder to grab. I recommend planning in some extra time to scope out the right lot for you, just in case things start to fill up.
Walk Around and Check out the Local Shops & Buildings
Since I like to park at Chinatown Central Plaza, that’s usually where I’d recommend starting your day. You can easily spot where Rush Hour was filmed, check out some historic shops, and walk around a few of the statues and monuments in the area.
Chunky is one of my must-visits whenever I am in the area. Half gallery, half shop, Chunky has so many wonderful things to peruse through and their selection changes regularly, making it a great usual stop-in.
Rainbow is another beloved institution and must-visit for any plant enthusiasts. With 4.9 stars and almost 800 reviews on yelp, you’ll just have to stop by this little gem for yourself and see what all the hype is about!
Lastly, be sure to walk through Saigon Plaza for an open-air market to see what gems you can find! Little heads-up, but people recommend bringing a little bit of cash for this portion of your trip!
Visit the Chinese American Museum
Address: 425 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-3pm
Cost: $2-$3 (see price breakdown here)
While there is so much you can learn and observe as you visit the different local businesses, there is so much more to find out at the Chinese American Museum (CAM). Not only is the museum a fantastic resource on Chinese American history, its physical building is the last remaining structure from the original Chinatown in Los Angeles. Located across from Union Station, CAM is technically located outside of the current Chinatown, but is a great stop for anyone visiting El Pueblo (another historic location) or traveling by Metrolink.
Grab a Tea or Coffee
Chinatown is home to some amazing tea shops and cafes. Here are a few you should check-out on your next visit in the area:
- Minion Cake – The perfect desert and tea place for everyone
- Bubble U – A lovely place to grab your classic milk tea and boba
- Steep – Stop by for a cute teahouse, visit at night for a cocktail bar
- Songbird Cafe – A unique cafe that may or may not have a hidden speakeasy
Pick Up Some Baked Goods
Bakeries and cafes are always on my list! Wonder Bakery is a local favorite, offering traditional-style egg tarts, mooncakes, and more. With over 40 years of business in the area, this family-owned institution is a delight to stop by.
Phoenix Bakery is another great spot, having been in Chinatown since the 1930s. Just be prepared because this location does sometimes get a bit of a line.
Want more options? Check out Queen’s Bakery or Long’s Family Pastry!
L.A.’s Chinatown is a beautiful destination. With amazing local businesses, fantastic food, and its significant historic background, it is certainly a must-visit. Come by during Lunar New Year festivities to learn about and appreciate more of this area’s culture. Let me know how your trip to Chinatown went!
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