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Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood is the heart of Asian history and culture in Philadelphia.
Step through the 40-foot-tall Chinatown Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch streets and you’ll enter a vibrant world of authentic Asian cuisine and shops, towering works of art and seasonal street festivals.
Stretching from Arch Street to Vine Street, and from 11th Street to 8th Street, the neighborhood is packed with businesses representing several East Asian cultures, from Cantonese and Vietnamese to Korean and Thai.
Chinatown — one of more than a half-dozen neighborhoods that make up Center City Philadelphia (aka Philly’s downtown) — also hosts traditional activities and cultural celebrations throughout the year.
Springing up from a simple laundromat in 1871, Chinatown is a bustling community — with hidden gems scattered throughout its lively streets and intriguing alleyways — and remains an important cultural and economic hub for much of Philly’s Asian American population.
Today, Chinatown remains an important cultural attraction, full of spectacular restaurants, specialty shops and boutiques, and massive festivals and celebrations, especially around Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year lion dancers — Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia
Find trendy bars and cafes sitting right across from immigrant-run food stalls and lively marketplaces like Asianfresh Food Market.
Sing your heart out during karaoke at Yakitori Boy, or tour one of the numerous galleries and installations at cultural institutions like the Asian Arts Initiative.
Or sample offerings by James Beard Award-winning restaurants and mixologists, at spots like Vietnam Restaurant and the not-so-secret speakeasy Hop Sing Laundromat.
Stalls at the YèShì Chinatown Night Market — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
But Chinatown’s not just a can’t-miss destination for tourists. It’s also home to many Philly residents, with houses, schools and places of worship peppered throughout.
The best way to experience this dynamic neighborhood is to weave through with curiosity and open-mindedness. Not sure what a shop is selling? Pop in and say hi. See an interesting product that you’re not familiar with? Just ask. Picking up the scent of something delicious? Try it for yourself. Chinatown is a welcoming neighborhood of people excited to share their culture with you.
Along with the colorful and iconic Chinatown Friendship Gate — which was created in part by artisans and engineers from Philly’s sister city, Tianjin, China — don’t miss public murals like the captivating History of Chinatown mural by Arturo Ho, Giz, N. Phung and H. Tran, or the jaw-dropping The Past Supporting the Future (承前啓後) mural by Chenlin Cai, Amy Cheng and Eurhi Jones — 21 stories in the air on the nearby Crane Building.
The Past Supporting the Future (承前啓後) — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Getting to Chinatown couldn’t be easier.
Near premier attractions like the Pennsylvania Convention Center, several hotels and Reading Terminal Market — which is one of the oldest and largest public markets in America — Chinatown sits kitty-corner to a nexus of Philly commerce. And with all the activity, SEPTA’s public transportation is your best friend.
Chinatown Friendship Gate — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Bus lines running through Chinatown include routes 23, 45, 47, 47M, and 61. The Broad Street Line runs right under the neighborhood, with a convenient subway stop at N. 8th and Race streets. Chinatown visitors can also take one of several trolley lines or the multi-county Regional Rail to Jefferson Station on 12th and Market streets, just a few minutes walk away.
Street parking in Chinatown can be sparse some days — but it is available. Those looking to drive can also find plenty of parking in nearby lots or at one of the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s Center City garages.
Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings.
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