Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour (Self Guided), Washington D.C.
At only a few blocks in length, Washington DC's Chinatown may be a lot smaller than other Chinatown's in US cities, but it is no less dynamic, fascinating and exciting. Asian restaurants abound as do beautiful architectural and design details such as pagoda-style roofs and Chinese calligraphy.
When you visit be sure to stand by and photograph the Friendship Arch. Marvel at the workmanship that went into the making of this traditional Chinese gate, which consists of thousands of colorful tiles and more than 200 painted dragons. It is the largest free standing arch in the United States and marks the city’s close friendship and ties with Beijing. Close to Chinatown is Penn Quarter, referred to by some as old downtown. This is a revitalized and reenergized hub of arts and entertainment, bursting with theaters, galleries, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and fashionable boutiques.
Within the neighborhood's limits are several landmark buildings, including the J. Edgar Hoover Building (headquarters of the FBI), the National Portrait Gallery, the US Navy Memorial and the Verizon Center. This is a vast sports and entertainment arena where you can watch basketball, hockey and concerts by some of the biggest musical acts in the world.
When you visit be sure to stand by and photograph the Friendship Arch. Marvel at the workmanship that went into the making of this traditional Chinese gate, which consists of thousands of colorful tiles and more than 200 painted dragons. It is the largest free standing arch in the United States and marks the city’s close friendship and ties with Beijing. Close to Chinatown is Penn Quarter, referred to by some as old downtown. This is a revitalized and reenergized hub of arts and entertainment, bursting with theaters, galleries, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and fashionable boutiques.
Within the neighborhood's limits are several landmark buildings, including the J. Edgar Hoover Building (headquarters of the FBI), the National Portrait Gallery, the US Navy Memorial and the Verizon Center. This is a vast sports and entertainment arena where you can watch basketball, hockey and concerts by some of the biggest musical acts in the world.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,000 cities, can be found on the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Washington D.C.
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: vickyc
Guide Location: USA » Washington D.C.
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: vickyc
1) 7th and H Streets Northwest, Chinese Friendship Arch
2) H Street Northwest
3) 8th Street Northwest, Calvary Baptist Church
4) 9th Street Northwest, Potomac Electric Power Company
5) F Street Northwest, Warder Building
6) 8th and F Streets Northwest, National Portrait Gallery
7) Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, US Navy Memorial Plaza
8) Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, FBI Building
9) E Street Northwest
10) E Street Northwest
11) 12th Street Northwest, Thurman Arnold Building
12) F Street Northwest
13) F Street corner with NW Northwest, Madame Tussauds
14) 10th and F Streets Northwest, Atlantic Building Complex
15) 10th Street Northwest, Saint Patrick's Catholic Church
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Unusual Things to Do in Washington DC
You might be inclined to think that the capital of the United States consists solely of museums and monuments, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As a local, I’ve found that there are so many more things to do in this city than just the main tourist highlights. Read on to learn 10 of...
10 Chocolate Destinations in Washington D.C.
Let’s be honest, you hear the words "Washington, D.C." and you think politics, history, museums, etc. You can’t take five steps in the city without being surrounded by history. As important as all that culture is, it’s also a bit overwhelming. Make it fun by exploring Washington,...
Traveler's Guide to Washington DC: 16 Souvenirs to Bring Home
The capital of the United States is an attraction in its own right and many things that have originated here or in the nearby areas are of great cultural and historic significance. To decide which of them can make for an ideal souvenir for you to bring home, check out the proposed list of local...
The Most Popular Cities
/ view all