Chinatown Los Angeles!

Chinatown Restaurants And Shops
Shopping Center In LA's Chinatown

Things to do in Chinatown Los Angeles California, best Chinese 'Dim Sum' restaurants,great shopping and historical facts about Downtown Chinatown In Los Angeles.

LA's Chinatown is small and compact, but it's still the center and hub for the Chinese American community.

even though most Chinese Americans live in other areas now, they return every year for the Chinese New Year's celebration.

A parade of decorated huge dragon floats and lion dancers liven up the Broadway Street.

All year long you can eat dim sum, kung pao and peking duck. The shops in Chinatown Los Angeles are loaded with culinary odd things and ancient herbal remedies.

The Central Plaza has some of Chinatowns oldest buildings. Cross Hill Street to browse the art galleries and studios of Chung King Road.

Chinatown Entrance Gate

When visiting Chinatown, start your tour at the Chinese theme buildings along the 900 block of North Broadway, downtown Los Angeles.

The Chinatown buildings have curved rooflines and beautiful Asian ornamentaion. The Chinatown Gate is a stunning entrance to the Plaza.

It was built in 1939 to replace the historic old Chinatown Los Angeles that was demolished (too bad) to create the Union Station, which is the grand train depot of Los Angeles.

Colorful Chinatown Buildings

Things To Do In Chinatown

Los Angeles Chinatown consists of a two block long pedestrian Mall with foodmarkets, tea stores, herbal shops, art galleries and antique stores. Shopping in Chinatown is fun and exciting. There is even a Tea House and a Temple here. The Chinese shops are filled with beautiful Oriental art and decor. Chinatown is also famous for its Chinese herbs and there are lots of herbal stores there.

Chinatown Temple

The picture above show the beautiful Chinese ornamental buildings that are unique to China.

Restaurants in Chinatown

The most delicious menu item is the Chinatown famous food, Dim Sum, wonderful dumplings, and of course the fresh Seafood from the live fish tanks. Just pick out your dinner and they'll prepare the fish to your liking. There are a number of excellent restaurants in Chinatown Los Angeles.

Dim Sum Dumplings

Here is a list of my personal favorite Chinese restaurants in Chinatown LA.

HOP LOUIE Chinese Restaurant

Hop Louie has been around since 1941. Here you will have great Chinese food, great drinks and an atmosphere that makes you feel you are in China. It's a great place for a family party. This place hasn't changed its look sinced it opened. Charming! Here is the location: 950 Mei Ling Way, Los Angeles, Ca 90012. (213)628-4244

Hop Louie Restaurant

CBS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

This is a wonderful Chinese family restaurant with great Dim Sum, great prices and great service. Here is the location: 700 N.Spring Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90012. (213) 617-2323.

NEW DRAGON SEAFOOD Restaurant

My favorite Chinese dish is 'Sizzling Beef and Sea Scallops'. The food is outstanding and very fresh. it's located at 943 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90012. (213) 626-6050.

GOLDEN DRAGON RESTAURANT

This is a very busy place, always full of Chinese families. It's a reason for that. The food is delicious at very good prices. The address is: 960 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, Ca 90012. (213) 626-2039.

Chinatown-Chinese New Year

Chinatown Golden Dragon Parade

The Chinese New Year festival is celebrated here in January or February (the dates varies from year to year) with festive parades, lots of traditional Chinese food, and Chinese firecrackers.

History of Chinatown

The original old Chinatown was established in the later part of 1800. It was then located where the Union Station stands today, about a mile away. In its heydays. the old Chinatown had about 15 streets and over 200 buildings. They even had a Chinese Opera House.

Chinatown Building

Then the corruption in Los Angeles began to show its symptons and the original Chinatown began to decline. Too many gambling houses, opium dens and a 'Tong' conflict caused many Chinese to go out of business. After many years of decay, the entire area was demolished to make way for the Union Station built in 1938.

The new Chinatown of today was dedicated in 1939. The only thing left of the original Chinatown is the two story Garnier Building, once a residence and a place for Chinese immigrants to meet. The Chinese American Museum is now located in the Garnier Building. It's a very interesting museum to visit. I recommend it highly.

Los Angeles Chinatown

Chinese Historical Society

The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California sponsors walking tours of Chinatown Los Angeles for a small fee. They provide very interesting historical facts and information about the history of Chinatown. For information about the Chinese Historical Society's Culture Center and their walking tours, call the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, (213) 617-0396.

Entrance to Chinatown

How To Get To Chinatown

DIRECTIONS: Exit the Pasadena Freeway (110) 'southbound' at Hill Street, turn left on Vignes, left on Broadway to Chinatown. Or exit Hollywood Freeway (101)eastbound at Broadway, go North to Chinatown.

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