Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour (Self Guided), Chicago

Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago’s smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you’ll find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese restaurants and medicine stores.

Start at the Chinatown Gate over Wentworth at Cermak Road – one of the neighborhood’s most emblematic streets since long. Visit the Pui Tak building, designated a Chicago Landmark in 1993, informally known as Chinatown’s “City Hall”, then learn about the settlement’s history at the interesting Chinese-American Museum, which shares the story of Chinese Americans through their own eyes and words. Besides an excellent film explaining early immigration to Chicago, there are dozens of artifacts and documents to browse through.

On the northeast corner of Cermak and Wentworth, you’ll find the Nine Dragon Wall – a reproduction of the 15th-century mural of the same name in Beijing. Each of the nine dragons brings a special kind of prosperity luck for the present and future!

Chinatown Square is a newer area as compared to the main strip or Wentworth Ave. An outdoor mall of sorts, it is filled with restaurants, retail, a bank, beauty shops, and offices – though you might also get to see traditional festivals during certain times of the year. Scrolling along further away, the Ping Tom Memorial Park awaits you on the riverfront.

Follow this self-guided walking tour to discover one of North America’s largest and most vibrant Chinese communities!