Chinese Heritage Walking Tour in San Francisco, San Francisco
Guide Location: USA » San Francisco
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 1.1 km
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 7
Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 1.1 km
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Christian Mehlführer
Author: doris
San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America. It provides an astounding abundance of varied merchandise at surprising prices, a great selection of restaurants and gift shops. San Francisco's Chinatown features several amazing attractions that can be enjoyed, ranging from museums and churches, to specialty shops and restaurants. Take this walking tour to explore the main tourist attractions in Chinatown, San Francisco.
Tour Stops and Attractions
1) Chinatown Gates
Chinatown Gates were installed in 1969, being a gift from the government of the Republic of China. This ornate, dragon-guarded gateway marks the southern entrance to Chinatown. Past the gates, visitors will see elaborate 1920s streetlights sculpted to resemble golden dragons lighting the way.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and BrokenSphere
2) First Chinese Baptist Church
The First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco was established in 1880. It is a multi-generational, bilingual and bi-cultural church. When Chinese students were not permitted to attend the city's public schools, the Church offered day school for children, and night school for adults. Today it offers English language classes and an outreach program to immigrants.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and BrokenSphere
3) Kong Chow Temple
Kong Chow Temple was established in 1857. It is located on the fourth floor of an old building that also houses the Chinatown Post Office. This ornate temple features white walls, a pyramid-shaped ceiling, flowers and richly colored altars, each color having a unique significance. The temple's balcony offers a spectacular view of Chinatown.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Tai Pan of HK
4) Tin How Temple
Dedicated to the Queen of the Heavens and the Goddess of the Seven Seas, Tin How Temple was built in 1852. It is the oldest Chinese temple in the United States. This small temple features thick incense, lots of fruits and gifts, hundreds of gold and red paper lanterns, that hang from the ceiling, and the larger is the lamp the larger is its donor's contribution to the temple. Take a good look around, because taking pictures is not permitted.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and TimShoesUntied
5) Portsmouth Square
Portsmouth Square is considered the living center of Chinatown and one of the most significant historical sights in San Francisco. It is also known as the "heart of Chinatown", because this is the place where the Chinese neighborhood started. It is the place where residents of all ages gather for Chinese chess games, community events and tai chi rituals. The square features statues, plaques and markers, that relate the history of the neighborhood.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and BrokenSphere
6) Bank of Canton
Bank of Canton was originally built in 1909 to house the Chinese Telephone Exchange. The building is an amazing landmark and a historical site of Chinatown. The female telephone operators who used to work here once knew English, five dialects of Chinese and all their clients by name and address. In 1949 the exchange was closed, and in 1960 the building was bought and restored by the Canton Bank.
7) Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory opened in 1962. It is the only fortune cookie bakery in the city where the cookies are still made by hand. Here, two women make daily over 20,000 fortune cookies. They are using a conveyor belts that look like miniature waffle irons. The admission is free.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and orangachang
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