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“A unique & colorful setting for so many stories”
Chinatown in Los Angeles, California is located in the city's downtown area. Built in 1938, it is the second Chinatown to be constructed in Los Angeles. The original historic Chinatown was founded in the late 19th century, but was demolished to make room for Union Station, the city's major rail depot, leaving its residents and businesses displaced. It is one of three current major Chinatowns in California; one in San Francisco and the other being in Oakland. Old Chinatown in its heyday, 1890 to 1910, could count 15 or so streets and alleys, and perhaps 200 building units. It had sufficient size and sophistication to boast of a Chinese opera theater, three temples, a newspaper (for a while), and later, its own telephone exchange. Old Chinatown was a residential as well as commercial community. The slow increase in the number of women would lead to the establishment of families with children. During this time, most of today's leading Chinese family and district associations, Chinatown institutions were founded, and church missions were organized, which began the process of community acculturation. Old Chinatown, with restaurants, curio shops, and "strange" entertainments, even became an attraction for the early, pioneering breed of American tourist.
These days, I only come out here to run the LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k to celebrate the lunar new year. The start and finish line for that race is right on Broadway. On Sundays, there's free... Read more
I have been here several times over the years. There are a lot of shops to wonder in and out of and a huge enclosed area full of vendors. You can almost find anything here depending on what you... Read more
It hasn't changed much in the last two (few?) decades. It still has the same stores, the same eateries, the Bruce Lee Statue on the corner is pretty cool. I can almost feel the history and... Read more
Chinatown Central Plaza
Hours
- Sun, Fri, Sat: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Mon - Thu: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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