Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour, Washington D.C.

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.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Josh.

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

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Washington D.C.

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

Walking Tours in Washington D.C., USA

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Creating your own self-guided walk in Washington D.C. 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.

DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

Washington D.C. is a city of historic memorials and monuments that commemorate key chapters in American history. They are dedicated to all the noteworthy generals, politicians, statesmen and artists who played a major role in shaping the American nation. This walking tour will offer you a glimpse into the history of the U.S.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles

Federal Buildings Walking Tour

Washington D.C. is a federal district and serves as the permanent capital of the United States. As such, it is filled with numerous buildings of federal importance, most of which are the nation's historic monuments too. This self-guided walk will tour you around the most vital federal buildings found in the downtown of Washington D.C.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles

Georgetown Walking Tour

Georgetown is an area located in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., along the Potomac River waterfront. Despite its proximity to downtown Washington, this former port has preserved its own distinct character. Many of the buildings along the tree-lined streets here are over 200 years old. Take this walking tour to reveal some of the cute secrets of this part of the U.S. capital.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

DC Museums Tour

Washington D.C. is well-known for its world-class museums. The Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world, maintains most of the official museums in Washington, D.C. and the entrance is free of charge. Explore some the outstanding museums in D.C. by taking this self guided walking tour.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

The largest military cemetery in the U.S., Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 veterans from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War. Open 365 days a year with free admission, it is visited by more than four million people each year, and conducts between 27 and 30 funerals... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia or simply The District, is the capital of the United States and, in many senses, America’s front yard. After the American Revolution, the need for the newly independent nation's federal government to have authority over a capital city and not rely on any state for its maintenance and safety, came in the wake of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

View all walking tours in Washington D.C., USA

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

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...

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...