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 Store 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.

Federal Buildings Walking Tour

The capital of the United States is home to several notable federal buildings that hold significant historical, architectural, and governmental value.

Among the stately “emblems of authority” in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States – The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... view more

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

DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years," goes the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln.

Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. – the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons – had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Georgetown Walking Tour

Overlooking the Potomac River, in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., lies a historic neighborhood called Georgetown. Those poetically inclined tend to compare Georgetown to "a tapestry of cobblestone dreams and timeless grace." Indeed, this part of Washington, D.C., replete with charming tree-lined, cobblestone streets, cultural landmarks, and a vibrant atmosphere, is a... view more

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

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example," a distinguished politician of the 19th century said once.

The historic military necropolis – the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the... 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

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,...

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...

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...