Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest Chinese community outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city because of the intriguing culture, history, attractions, and events. Visitors quickly become absorbed in this miniature Asian world of temples, festivals, shops with pagoda roofs, and mesmerizing dragon parades.
History and Culture of San Francisco’s Old Chinatown
This unique district was first established in 1848 when there was a large boom in Chinese immigrants to the United States. The area has had a significant influence in the history and values of traditional Chinese settlers in North America. It is an area that has consistently retained its specific identity by way of old-style customs, languages, and places of worship.
New Chinese migrants often choose to live here because of the understanding of their cultural principles. To visit Chinatown is to experience the vibrant culture, food, and talent of Asia. It consists of alleys filled with authentic Chinese stores, food cafes, bars, and art galleries. All of the buildings here have been designed with a Chinese influence.
Must-See Chinatown AttractionsWhile Chinatown San Francisco is one of the biggest outside of China, it is still merely eight blocks long and three blocks wide. However, it draws in tourists from all over the world who enjoy strolling along the streets and taking in all that it has to offer. For the best Chinatown experience, The Chinese Historical Society of America and the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco both offer maps for self-walking tours and guides for assisted tours of Chinatown.
The area has some amazing art galleries, including Shakris Fine Asian Works of Art and Stylers Art Gallery. You'll find genuine Chinese artwork, crafts, and sculptures. The Old St. Mary's Cathedral was built in 1854 and was the first building erected as a cathedral in the state of California. Most of the stone work was quarried and cut in China. Stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory located on Ross Alley. It opened in 1962 and still puts out 20,000 fortune cookies daily, of which all are made by hand.
Festivals in Chinatown
There are three yearly festivals that uphold the city's Chinese heritage. The Chinese New Year and the Autumn Moon Festival attract large crowds of locals and tourists. The Dragon Boat Festival is held every year near Treasure Island.
- Chinese New Year: The lunar festival occurs between late January and early February and consists of a street fair and Chinese New Year Parade.
- Autumn Moon Festival: This is a tribute to the mythical immortal goddess Chang O who lives in the moon. The celebration includes enjoying the abundance of the summer harvests and other foods, as well as moon cakes and moon-shaped pastries bursting with lightly sweetened fillings.
- Dragon Boat Festival: This is an event held in respect of the two thousand year old tradition of honoring Qu Yuan. He was a scholar and adviser to the emperor of the Chu Kingdom who jumped into a river to show his disapproval of government corruption. Over a hundred colorful dragon themed boats with paddle teams compete in races that are held just off Treasure Island.
Chinatown San Francisco at Night
While Chinatown is best visited mid-day when all the shops are open, there’s plenty happening at night too. For instance, the night market is open from 6 to 11 p.m. every Saturday from July to November, and many of the shops remain open until as late as 11 p.m. on weeknights. Some of the restaurants never close and bars are usually open until 2 a.m.
