Chinatown Friendship Gate, Philadelphia
This gateway at 10th and Arch Street is a beautiful, welcoming entrance into the lively Chinatown district filled with great Asian restaurants, bakeries, shops, markets, and places of worship. A symbol of cultural exchange and friendship between Philadelphia and its sister city of Tianjin, it is the first authentic Chinese Gate built in America by artisans from China.
Weighing about 88 tons and standing 40 feet high, the Gate has bright colors and elaborate designs that reflect early Chinese imperial construction. One may see themes of mythical creatures and graphic patterns typical of the Ming and Qing Dynasties; the phoenix is meant to ensure good luck while the dragon, said to have the magical power of retaining water in its mouth, is intended to protect the structure of the Gate and the community from fire.
Originally dedicated in 1984, the Gate was rededicated on November 19, 2008, after being repainted with the help of Tianjin artisans using ancient techniques and traditional materials. Take your pictures, then find a place to eat and/or shop!
Tip:
Serious foodies will not want to miss the EMei Restaurant – a nice, no-frills eatery serving classic Chinese dishes alongside spicy Sichuan specialties. Mei Cai Kou Rou (steamed pork with preserved mustard) is something to die for!
Weighing about 88 tons and standing 40 feet high, the Gate has bright colors and elaborate designs that reflect early Chinese imperial construction. One may see themes of mythical creatures and graphic patterns typical of the Ming and Qing Dynasties; the phoenix is meant to ensure good luck while the dragon, said to have the magical power of retaining water in its mouth, is intended to protect the structure of the Gate and the community from fire.
Originally dedicated in 1984, the Gate was rededicated on November 19, 2008, after being repainted with the help of Tianjin artisans using ancient techniques and traditional materials. Take your pictures, then find a place to eat and/or shop!
Tip:
Serious foodies will not want to miss the EMei Restaurant – a nice, no-frills eatery serving classic Chinese dishes alongside spicy Sichuan specialties. Mei Cai Kou Rou (steamed pork with preserved mustard) is something to die for!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Philadelphia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Chinatown Friendship Gate on Map
Sight Name: Chinatown Friendship Gate
Sight Location: Philadelphia, USA (See walking tours in Philadelphia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Philadelphia, USA (See walking tours in Philadelphia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Philadelphia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour
King Charles II of England owed a lot of money to Admiral Sir William Penn. He paid in 1681 by signing over lands in America to the Admiral's son, William Penn. Young William, a Quaker and a thorn in the side of the King, became landlord of present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. William sailed up Delaware, laid out a grid, and founded Philadelphia.
The streets of the grid run east and west... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The streets of the grid run east and west... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Philadelphia Introduction Walking Tour
The sixth largest city in the United States and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a dynamic city heaped with old-world charm and contemporary infrastructure. Notable for its rich history, primarily as the birthplace of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Often called Philly, Philadelphia is also known as the City of Brotherly Love – a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Often called Philly, Philadelphia is also known as the City of Brotherly Love – a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia's oldest park, established since 1867, is also the city's largest municipal park, sprawling over 2,000 acres adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River. The park grew out of the Lemon Hill estate of Henry Pratt, whose land was originally owned by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1972, the park was placed on the National... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
In 1972, the park was placed on the National... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Franklin Parkway Walking Tour
Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic boulevard running through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Named for America's Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this mile-long tree-lined parkway is lined with several notable sights and world-class museums.
At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
University of Pennsylvania Walking Tour
As America's first university, The University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn or Upenn, for short) has a history stretching back to the mid-18th century, closely bound with the city's colonial past and the birth of the United States. Initially, this Ivy League institution emerged as the College of Philadelphia, one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the US Declaration of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia
One of the most fascinating personalities in Revolutionary America, Benjamin Franklin, while still a teenager, left his Puritan family in Boston for Philadelphia to start a new life. Indeed, his life turned out to be quite remarkable. Franklin was a writer, a printer, a philosopher, a postmaster, a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, and a diplomat – the absolute purist version of the American... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love
Looking for a great gift while visiting Philadelphia? Famous for its history, arts and culture, championship sports teams, and award-winning food and drink, Philadelphia is a top-rated shopping destination. Here, you'll find an amazing selection of items to choose from - something uniquely...