Explore China Town - San Francisco

China Town in downtown San Francisco is the largest Chinatown outside of the authentic Chinatowns in Asia!!

Chinatown developed as many Chinese immigrants settled in San Francisco during the mid 1800’s. The 1906 earthquake destroyed the original Chinatown and it was completely rebuilt. It encompasses 24 blocks in the heart of downtown San Francisco and is also the oldest Chinatown in the world.

China Town is very popular with tourists and often cited amongst the top ten things to do in San Francisco, so when exploring this unique town, be sure to take at least a day to explore this area properly! Even though it is very crowded there are some real gems hidden away in the alleys. There are many inexpensive restaurants to choose from and you can be sure you will be well fed during your visit to the Chinatown.

Grant Avenue is the main street in China town with many shops and restaurants. Grant Avenue dates back to 1834 and holds the distinction of being the oldest street in San Francisco. Stockton Street is a more authentic Chinese experience. A trip to Chinatown would be incomplete without a fortune cookie? So don't forget to visit the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Portsmouth Square is one of the major focal points for the Chinatown, because it is one of the very few wide open spaces. There are all kinds of shops and activities taking place here and it rightly deserves its nickname as the “heart of Chinatown”. See the Chinese playground where the old men play Chinese chess.

You can also come and experience Chinatown by night for a completely different experience. Bright lights, colorful street lanterns and Chinese music make nighttimes a special experience here in Chinatown.

Be sure to buy some souvenirs here, they are inexpensive. Buy a Buddha, a Chinese birdcage, live frogs or crickets. Coming to Chinatown in San Francisco is the closest experience to actually visiting China; without leaving San Francisco!!