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Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
Nowhere in Philadelphia is quite like Chinatown.
Established in 1871, Chinatown — centered around 10th and Arch streets — offers a world of authentic Asian cuisine, eclectic shops, towering artworks and exciting street festivals in Philadelphia.
The neighborhood is in a league of its own as both a residential neighborhood and a key cultural attraction — with restaurants, shops, landmarks and festivals representing Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and many other East Asian cultures.
Chinatown is also incredibly convenient to get to. As one of several neighborhoods that make up Center City Philadelphia, the vibrant cultural hub is in the heart of Philly — adjacent to some of the city’s most popular attractions and public transit stops.
Read on for a guide to Chinatown, curated with help from Chinatown community members and the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, a non-profit group devoted to promoting and protecting the cultural treasure that is Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
The 40-foot-tall, 88-ton Chinatown Friendship Gate is a Philly landmark built in collaboration with artisans from Tianjin, China. Its Qing Dynasty style features dragon motifs and colorful ornamental details.
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Chinatown is a foodie paradise, with James Beard Award-winning spots like Vietnam Restaurant (don’t skip the barbecue platter) and the not-so-secret speakeasy Hop Sing Laundromat, plus local delicacies like the roast duck noodle soup at Sang Kee Peking Duck House and the siphon-brewed coffee Ray’s Cafe & Tea House.
— Photo courtesy Sang Kee Peking Duck House
More culinary highlights include Sichuan flavors at EMei, dim sum at Ocean City, seafood at Tai Lake and milk tea at Mayflower Bakery.
Chinatown hosts annual street festivals, including the winter Lunar New Year parades and October’s YèShì Chinatown Night Market — a top cultural festival, according to USA Today.
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival takes place at Franklin Square in nearby Old City.
Lunar New Year night parade — Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia
Chinatown displays captivating public murals like the History of Chinatown or the jaw-dropping The Past Supporting the Future (承前啓後) — 21 stories up on the nearby Crane Building.
The Past Supporting the Future (承前啓後) — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Visitors can also tour art galleries at cultural institutions like the Asian Arts Initiative.
Chinatown is home to diverse AAPI-owned businesses.
Pick up whimsical gifts at specialty boutiques like Little Seven House; shop for hot pot ingredients and moon cakes at grocers like Asianfresh Food Market; snag imported treats at snack shops like S. Mart; or purchase herbal remedies and teas at apothecaries like Long Life Chinese Herbs.
Look, it’s hard for me not to spend an entire afternoon in Chinatown. A three-minute walk from the train station and I’m already exploring Ebisu for gourmet snacks or sipping chewy boba tea at TeaDo. And tucking into a perfectly spiced plate of steamy hand-drawn noodles at Nan Zhou — before knocking back affordably priced brews at Bar Ly (with 60 draft beers on tap!) — is always a personal fave. With so much variety, Chinatown offers a new experience every time I visit. (And you should come back during one of the festivals. The energy is electric!)
You’ve got options for where to stay, with lodging like Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Center City, the Hampton Inn Philadelphia Center City, Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City and the Sleep Inn Center City.
King guest room at Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City — Photo courtesy Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City
Ready to experience the neighborhood firsthand? Here are some tips to get you started:
For more information, visit the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation site below.
Official Website
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