Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles is one of the oldest and most colourful areas in the city. It is a combination of classic beauty and urban vibrancy, full of antique shops, herbal businesses and street markets. Tourists visit the Central Plaza, where lanterns are lit, pagoda-style architecture, and local art galleries. Chinatown is also a combination of traditional family-owned restaurants and upscale cafes. The community is alive, and festivals, murals, and cultural events make it a vibrant place to visit with its rich Asian-American heritage and spirit of Los Angeles.
What are the Best Places to Stay in Chinatown?
Here are the three best places to stay in Chinatown for comfort, lively views and delicious food:
Metro Plaza Hotel
Metro Plaza Hotel is a place where people stay for comfort on a budget. The hotel offers clean rooms, a complimentary breakfast, and easy access to major attractions such as Dodger Stadium. The average cost per night is between $130 and $200. The hotel charges for valet parking, and check-in is at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Tourists love the hotel because it’s within walking distance of Union Station and Olvera Street.
Address: 711 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Best Western Plus Dragon Gate Inn
Best Western Plus Dragon Gate Inn has comfortable rooms with cultural touches and a helpful multilingual staff. With its prime location near Chinatown Central Plaza, this hotel offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking. On average, the rooms cost $150-$220 per night. Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Visitors are attracted to this hotel because it’s near restaurants and shops.
Address: 818 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Airbnbs & Boutique Stays
The Chinatown has upscale Airbnbs and boutique accommodations in loft styles and cultural influences. Most offer modern facilities such as AC, TV and WiFi. It’s best for couples, longer stays, and digital nomads. Some places offer parking at a fee, and the cost per night is between $90 and $200, depending on style and size. The check-in is usually 3:00 PM, and check-out is 11:00 AM for both Airbnb and boutiques.
How to Get Around Chinatown
The five most common means of travel around Chinatown are:
Metro Gold Line (L Line)
Chinatown has a secure and busy metro line. The average per ride is $1.75. The Metro Gold Line offers a direct connection to Union Station, Highland Park, and Pasadena. Visitors are advised to be cautious during peak rush hours because of the crowds, and beware of pickpockets.
Walking
Chinatown can be explored by walking to attractions such as Central Plaza, Broadway, Chung King Road, and Thien Hau Temple. It has well-lit main areas, and it’s usually busy all week. It’s generally safe, although people are advised to be cautious at night.
Biking & Scooters
Chinatown has a flat terrain and narrow streets, which means that bikes and scooters are a convenient means of travel. They cost around $0.30–$0.40 per minute after a small unlock fee. Visitors are advised to dock the bikes and scooters after use to avoid theft.
Car & Ride-Share
Chinatown has congested streets, which means that parking is limited. The costs of Uber and Lyft are generally around $12-$20 an hour, depending on distance and time of day. Little parking in the streets and small paid lots are available to those in the driving sector towards Hill Street and College Street.
Bus Routes
Buses are a secure and comfortable means of transportation. It connects Chinatown to Downtown LA, Echo Park, and Koreatown. The average cost per ride is $1.75. It’s usually crowded during peak rush hours.
What to See & Do in Chinatown
Here are six of the best places to visit in Chinatown for a mix of culture, history, and shopping.
Central Plaza
The cultural centre of Chinatown is Central Plaza, surrounded by red lanterns, pagoda-style architecture and the well-known statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen. Cultural performance, shopping, and eating can be enjoyed by the visitor, particularly during the period of the Chinese New Year celebrations. There is no entry fee, and the plaza is open 24 hours per day.
Location: 943 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Chinese American Museum
The Chinese American Museum, housed at the Garnier Building, which has witnessed many historic moments, features exhibits, pictures, and stories of the Chinese community. Entry fee is approximately $5 for adult cases, and is free during special holidays. The museum operates on Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM -3 PM.
Location: 425 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Thien Hau Temple
The Thien Hau Temple is a serene, traditional and spiritual place. It’s open for both worshippers and tourists. It’s safe and usually crowded during the Lunar New Year. It’s free of cost, although donations are accepted.
Location: 756 Yale St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Chinatown Street Art & Murals
Chinatown also displays colourful murals in the streets that combine the traditional Chinese culture with contemporary street art. There are prominent murals located on College Street, Broadway, and Chung King Road. Guided mural tours have a price of approximately $25 each person, and they take an hour.
Shopping (Herbal Shops, Souvenir Stores, Jewellery)
Chinatown has traditional herbal medicine stores, jade jewellery outlets and souvenir booths. Prices are different; herbal teas and tonics are sold at a minimum price of 10, and handmade jade jewellery costs between 50 and 500. The shopping streets are best in Hill Street, Broadway and North Spring Street.
Nightlife (Bars, Speakeasies, Live Music)
The nightlife in Chinatown combines cultural and creative experiences, with cool bars and music live halls. The Bar by General Lee provides cocktails inspired by Asian cuisine, whereas Apotheke LA features vintage mixology. The charge is usually between $10 and $20 and closes at 2 AM.
Where to Eat & Drink in Chinatown
These are the eight best restaurants in Chinatown that offer both Chinese and international meals:
Philippe the Original (near Union Station)
Philippe the Original is among the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles, and it offers French Dip sandwiches filled with tender roast beef and hot mustard. It has a relaxed diner atmosphere that appeals to both locals and tourists. The average meal is priced between $10 and $15 per person, and the restaurant is open 6 AM -10 PM daily.
Location: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Yang Chow Restaurant
Yang Chow offers traditional Cantonese meals, with the most favoured one being the Slippery Shrimp, which is covered with sweet and spicy glaze. Fried rice, kung pao chicken, and noodles are also a part of the menu. The food prices are approximately $15-$25, and the restaurant is open 11 AM-9 PM throughout the day.
Location: 819 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Howlin’ Ray’s
Howlin’ Ray is a new Nashville hot chicken restaurant in Chinatown, where crispy fried chicken sandwiches are served with a mild to mildly spicy triangle of spice in the sandwich. The menu sides consist of coleslaw and crinkle-cut fries. The cost is between $12 and $18, and it is operational from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM-7 PM.
Location: 727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Won Kok Restaurant (Late Night)
Won Kok, a popular late-night restaurant specialising in dim sum, fried rice, and shrimp dumplings, is available till the early morning. The food is served fast with a classic atmosphere in the restaurant, with an average cost of between $10 and $20. It operates daily until 3 AM.
Location: 210 Alpine St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Majordomo by David Chang
Majordomo combines Korean, Chinese, and Californian tastes within a contemporary restaurant. Foods such as bo ssam, spicy noodles and short rib with rice are all signature foods. The restaurant charges approximately $25-$50 per person and its hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 5 PM -10 PM.
Location: 1725 Naud St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Chimney Coffee House
Chimney Coffee House is a trendy, cosy cafe located on College Street, and within walking distance of Central Plaza. It has a creative menu of cold brews, avocado toast, and pork belly sandwiches. It is a famous breakfast and brunch place and costs between $8-$15 per head. The cafe opens 7 AM – 4 PM daily.
Location: 1100 N Main St B, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Steep LA (Tea House)
Steep LA is a minimalist, modern tea house inspired by Asian tea culture. It is recognised as a producer of handcrafted Taiwanese teas, matcha lattes, and rice bowls that utilise local ingredients. The atmosphere is peaceful and suitable during afternoon breaks. The average price is $10-$20, and it opens 11 AM-7 PM every day.
Location: 970 N Broadway #112, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Chinatown Bakeries (Phoenix Bakery, Wonder Bakery, Kee Wah Bakery)
Chinatown has authentic Chinese bakeries such as the Phoenix Bakery, Wonder Bakery, and the Kee Wah Bakery. They’re located on Broadway and Central Plaza main streets, and are best known for affordable snacks and authentic cultural sweets. They’re usually crowded with families, and the average cost per person is between $3 and $10. The menu consists of egg tarts, mooncakes, pineapple buns, and sponge cakes
Location (Phoenix Bakery): 969 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Location (Wonder Bakery): 943 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Location (Kee Wah Bakery): 150 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776, United States
What Essential Tips Should Tourists Know Before Visiting Chinatown?
Below are the eight important tips that help tourists enjoy Chinatown comfortably, safely, and with special experiences.
Best Time to Visit
Chinatown is most enjoyable to see during the Chinese New Year festivities at the end of January or early February, when the streets are filled with lanterns, dragon dances, and parades. It is best to shop in the mornings and in the evenings to enjoy food stalls and music.
Crowd and Safety
Chinatown is usually busy during the weekend and festivals. The city is generally safe, but visitors need to be alert for pickpockets in busy places. It’s best to stay in areas that are well-lit at night.
Cash vs. Card
In Chinatown, ATMs are available near Central Plaza and Broadway. Most vendors accept cards, but small food stalls and bakeries usually accept cash only.
Parking and Transport
There is paid parking in the public parking lots on Broadway and Hill Street, and they typically charge 2-5 dollars per hour. Alternatively, use Metro L Line (Gold Line) or local buses which pass through Hill and College Street.
Dining Etiquette
Sharing dishes is common in traditional Chinese restaurants. Even in the local restaurants, you are expected to share a meal, and it is also respectful to allow elders to eat before you do. The tipping rate at most places is 15% to 20%.
Local Culture
Chinatown is a mixture of Mexican-American and Chinese roots with a multicultural experience. Tourists are allowed to participate in calligraphy classes or temple festivals in a local community. Visitors can explore side paths like Chung King Road for art galleries, and religious or cultural spaces such as the Thien Hau Temple.
Shopping Advice
Numerous shops are selling herbal medicine, tea, and souvenirs, but the prices vary. It is acceptable when bargaining is done in a respectful manner. Before purchasing, check the quality of check products, particularly with antiques and jade jewellery.
Accessibility
Chinatown is easy to walk around and accessible by wheelchair, particularly on Broadway and Central Plaza. Metro stations and major attractions have ramps and convenient entrances, which make it easy for anyone to navigate around.
