Research or...Tour Chinatown with the
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California has a long history of bringing people together to share the important history and role of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California. At the Chinatown Heritage Center, you will find artifacts from Old Los Angeles Chinatown, a drum and bugle corps display, a cozy research center, a library, and a bookstore. They also offer tours (suggested $8 donation per person) ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours; however, they require a minimum of 10 people.
Destination
Address
Parking
Hours
Cost
Appropriate For
Learn more about the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California at the following sites.
Sample Itinerary – Chinatown
Date: [INSERT DATE]
Location: Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Parking
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Arrive at Union Station or Park | 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | $0-$5 | Take the Metro to Chinatown Station or find a parking lot and park for $5 cash |
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Breakfast
Have breakfast at one of the following locations
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Phoenix Bakery | 969 N Broadway, 90012 | $3+ | Enjoy a pastry or large American breakfast in Chinatown.
|
| Nick’s Cafe | 1300 N Spring St, 90012 | $7.50 | |
| Homegirl Cafe | 130 Bruno St, 90012 | $3+ |
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: LA State Historic Park
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| LA State Historic Park | 1245 N Spring St, 90012 | Free | Take a self-guided tour of the monuments and artworks in the park. Parking at the Los Angeles State Historic Park is $2 per hour or $8 per day. |
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Take a Self-Guided Tour or a Professional Tour from the Chinese Historical Society
Take a self-guided walking tour of the Chinatown Central Plaza and Chung King Road
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Chinatown Central Plaza | 943 N Broadway, 90012 | Free | Self-guided walking tours are available specifically for the Central Plaza and Chung King Road. Learn about the architecture and history of the buildings and artwork or check out where famous movies have been filmed. It is also a shopping and eating area. |
| Chung King Road | 943 N Broadway, 90012 | $7.50 |
Some other suggested self-guided tours include mural scavenger hunt, an Angels Walk LA – Chinatown historical self-guided walking trail or a GPS My City walking tour.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
Have lunch at a restaurant or food stand.
| 5 Chinese Food Spots Under $10 | 5 Asian Spots Under $10 | 5 Non-Asian Restaurants $7-$20 |
| Foo Chow Restaurant | LAX-C: Mai Tings Coconut Cakes and BBQ Express | Little Jewel of New Orleans |
| Long Family Pastry | My Dung Sandwich Shop | Howlin’ Rays |
| ABC Seafood | Gigo’s Café and Deli | Phillippe The Original |
| Fortune Gourmet Cooking | Eat JFC | LA Brisket |
| Zen Mei Bistro | Quickly | Amboy Quality Meats |
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Explore a Temple
Visit the Thien Hau Temple
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Thien Hau Temple | 756 Yale St., Los Angeles, 90012 | Free | Experience the Thien Hau Temple and learn about this popular site for Taoist worship. |
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Take the Stairs
Walk the Ord & Yale Street Park Stairs and Visit the Los Angeles Public Library – Chinatown Branch
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Ord & Yale Street Park | 524 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Free | Get some steps in and see the city from the top. Then learn more about the history of Chinatown at the Los Angeles Public Library – Chinatown Branch. |
| Los Angeles Public Library – Chinatown Branch | 639 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Free |
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Take a Selfie (At the Gateway Monument)
Take a photo at the Gateway Monument
| Location | Address | Cost | Notes |
| Gateway Monument (Dragon Gate) | 600 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Free | Find the pillar with the Gateway Monument plaque explaining the importance of this monument. Take a photo of the monument, but be careful not to walk into traffic. |
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Eat Dinner
Have dinner at a Chinese restaurant or street food stand
There are many amazing Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Eat an appetizer or a full dinner at a local favorite like Won Kok, Golden Dragon Restaurant, Hop Woo, or Jade Wok.
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