Chinatown
3.5
About
Los Angeles Chinatown is home to great food and numerous specialty stores where you can shop for charming souvenirs amid lanterns and neon signs lining the streets. Don’t miss the Chinese-style buildings around the Central Plaza and the ornate East Gate—one of the most famous landmarks of the area. Chinatown hosts major events throughout the year like the Lunar New Year Parade and the Lantern Festival. It's also a stone’s throw away on foot from the Old Plaza and the historic Olvera Street, so you might want to explore the surroundings when you’re done visiting the district. – Tripadvisor
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Chinatown
The area
Neighborhood: Central L.A
How to get there
- Chinatown • 4 min walk
- Union Station • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,975 within 3 miles
Attractions
680 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
605 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
185
Average
187
Poor
88
Terrible
37
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Sheryl
Phoenix, AZ578 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A Chinese community with a long history, it is one of the oldest Chinatowns in European and American countries.
Although the city was empty today, we also enjoyed the wonderful corners of Chinatown.
Taoist Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and fishermen
Antique bells and drums hang near the entrance of the carved beams and painted buildings. Inside the temple, you can see dragon and tiger statues carved from granite slabs!!
There are historic buildings and shops in Chinatown, and you can visit the Bruce Lee statue!!
Although the city was empty today, we also enjoyed the wonderful corners of Chinatown.
Taoist Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and fishermen
Antique bells and drums hang near the entrance of the carved beams and painted buildings. Inside the temple, you can see dragon and tiger statues carved from granite slabs!!
There are historic buildings and shops in Chinatown, and you can visit the Bruce Lee statue!!
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicdelaflor
Buenos Aires, Argentina502 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Nice ! Well prepared and reflects eastern culture. We went during the day, a Monday, when almost everything was closed. Anyway, we were able to enjoy it. There are gastronomic proposals and shops with Chinese products. It is worth visiting
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IchigoKurosaki
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
It's mind boggling as to why there are so many negative reviews on Chinatown. Sure, it may not be the best Chinatown in the world, but it's far from being the worst. Centered around Broadway betw. College and Bernard, there are enough shops, restaurants, and cafes to make a trip worthwhile. The architect of the buildings along Gin Ling Way evokes the charm of a quaint sothern Chinese village. It is also one of L.A.'s best known landmarks, frequently used as a shooting location for many films and TV shows. In spite of all that, naysayers are always looking for something negative to nit-pick over. My response to the reviewer from Chicago complaining about the streets being dirty and how Chicago Chinatown is a million times better: I've been to Chinatown Chicago, and being located in the notorious southside(murder capital, USA), it's no picnic out there I can tell you. And the individual from San Diego: New York more authentic than L.A.s., I think not. There has always been a Chinese community located wthin the same area in L.A. for more than 100 years. FACT: By comparison, most of present day Manhattan Chinatown wasn't even standing when Disneyland celebrated it's 25th anniversary back in 1980. My verdict for L.A. Chinatown: YES!!!!
Written August 11, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland64,888 contributions
Oct 2019
Passing through the Dragon Gate we enjoyed the time spent here. Strolling around we made our way to the Central Plaza.
Admiring the Chinese styling and decorative features, it was fascinating to learn of the original Chinatown's relocation to make way for Union Station in the 1930s.
Numerous eateries beckon and we had a tasty snack in one.
Admiring the Chinese styling and decorative features, it was fascinating to learn of the original Chinatown's relocation to make way for Union Station in the 1930s.
Numerous eateries beckon and we had a tasty snack in one.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J. Vasquez
West Covina, CA14 contributions
Mar 2020
Chinatown has by far been one of my favorite places to visit. You cant beat the sightseeing, shopping, eating, and cultural experience all in one place. The best part is, if you are living in LA, you can do this practically any weekend. It's about the easiest and less expensive way to get out of LA without leaving LA. Emerge yourself into a unique eastern culture that has mesmerize and captivated the world. You can find everything here from your favorite dumplings, foo dog statues, and even get your Chinese horoscope read all in one place.
Written January 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda J
Denver46 contributions
May 2022
One shop hates handicapped people and told me I was not allowed in her store because of my wheelchair. I have a picture of the shop it is right in the middle of the shops that is all together. I went in with my daughter and we was looking to buy a good 100 plus women's dresses and accessories. The woman looked at me and just gave me the worst looks ever like I was robbing the place. She kept an eye one me and was just awful. She screamed out of no where in front of like 10 or so people. You get out You in wheelchair and it wont go through. I'm in the store so why will it not go through. I was so embarrassed. The other people looked at me like what the heck. After she yelled at me and told me that my wheelchair cant be in there about 3/4th of the other customers left too. If you are facing Wonder Bakery its to the right, The store on the corner.
Phoenix Bakery is a must do and welcomes handicap people as well as two tiny shops Hong Kong Imports and another that I misplaced their card that was in the back by the light that crosses to the building that was used in a movie. I will have to get the names and see if I can add them. They was amazing and they ended up getting almost four thousand dollars which that one lady could have made but decided handicap people are not welcomed.
I would not suggest this place to anyone that has a handicap. I am unsure if there is a way of turning people in for ADA non compliance but we are sure going to look.
Phoenix Bakery is a must do and welcomes handicap people as well as two tiny shops Hong Kong Imports and another that I misplaced their card that was in the back by the light that crosses to the building that was used in a movie. I will have to get the names and see if I can add them. They was amazing and they ended up getting almost four thousand dollars which that one lady could have made but decided handicap people are not welcomed.
I would not suggest this place to anyone that has a handicap. I am unsure if there is a way of turning people in for ADA non compliance but we are sure going to look.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timmy B
4 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Very cool and historic theater, including the celebrity hands and feet in concrete. This is where all the celebrities go to watch movies. Go downstairs to the bathroom and check out the pictures on the wall of celebrities imprinting their hands in the concrete. You can only go to this historic theater if you book an IMAX movie. All other movies are in the newer theaters.
Written April 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie
Milwaukee, WI8 contributions
Oct 2022
We drove through Chinatown a few different ways and decided not to stop. What signs of life there were appeared to be street vendors either selling tourist items or fruit. My hats off to people making a go of it here, but it's rundown, and not really welcoming to visitors.
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madrewith3kids
Minneapolis, MN125 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
To be fair we got there about an hour before closing but there were only about three stores open. I couldn’t tell if the other stores were closed for the day already or out of business. It was a sad sight. The place was literally a ghost town. It was cool to see the Bruce Lee statue. The buildings are cool for photos but you won’t spend much time here. I would say get there well before closing time but have a back up plan in case it’s dead throughout the day regardless of what time it is. Little Tokyo is a fun place with more stores that are actually open. I would hate to see China Town get shut down due to lack of business but they need to do something to revive the place.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
loveLA
Los Angeles, Ca71 contributions
I live in Los Angeles and always enjoy the atmosphere of China Town. Besides having hundreds of Chinese restaurants from which to choose, there are hundreds of tiny, interesting shops! There are many lovely and unusual gift items imported from China...all at a good price.
The main street in Chinatown is Broadway...if you go further North on Broadway, you will find the shops and restaurants have authentic looking Chinese architecture. There are also two large, old wishing well ponds. Oh, for those who love bakeries, Chinatown is full of them!
Saigon Plaza is also fun with hundreds of shop vendors located under one large roof (on Broadway).
Little Tokyo is more modern than Chinatown, but still interesting. Japanese Village Plaza is an outdoor shopping plaza with Japanese blue tiled roofs and architecture. There are many good Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo....the Japanese markets are also fun to visit. For those who love Japanese gardens, there are two: one at the New Otani Hotel and one at the Japanese Community Center. If you can only visit one, I recommend the one at the community center.
The main street in Chinatown is Broadway...if you go further North on Broadway, you will find the shops and restaurants have authentic looking Chinese architecture. There are also two large, old wishing well ponds. Oh, for those who love bakeries, Chinatown is full of them!
Saigon Plaza is also fun with hundreds of shop vendors located under one large roof (on Broadway).
Little Tokyo is more modern than Chinatown, but still interesting. Japanese Village Plaza is an outdoor shopping plaza with Japanese blue tiled roofs and architecture. There are many good Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo....the Japanese markets are also fun to visit. For those who love Japanese gardens, there are two: one at the New Otani Hotel and one at the Japanese Community Center. If you can only visit one, I recommend the one at the community center.
Written April 26, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can someone tell me what is the best Chinese restaurant to try in Chinatown? I really like egg foo yung. Thanks, Joan H
Written July 22, 2018
If you are into Chinese dimsum there are two restaurants where there is an attached foodtogo abc seafood and cbs seafood
Written November 4, 2018
Please recommend a good budget/ mid range hotel/motel a short walking distance to Chinatown Los Angeles. Thx
Written October 31, 2017
I would not stay in this area. It is nice but not worth spending more than a few hours.
Written November 1, 2017
Please recommend a good budget/ mid range hotel/motel a short walking distance to Chinatown Los Angeles. Thx
Written October 31, 2017
We didn't stay close to Chinatown, but I am sure you could find a hotel that would meet your expectations. May I suggest to Google hotels close to the area; Tripadvisor, also, could narrow down the selections for you. The good part is that the transit system takes you to so many areas, we felt safe, and used it as we did not rent a car. Also, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce may be able to assist with options. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Written November 3, 2017
Hola ¿Cuanto tiempo se necesita aproximadamente para recorrerlo completo?
Written April 27, 2017
¿Hay lugar para estacionar en Chinatown? o no me conviene alquilar auto en LA. Espero puedan ayudarme. Gracias
Written February 1, 2017
My father wants to get a duck to eat that is hanging from the store front windows that he has seen in san Francisco. ... can this be done in l.a. chinatown? ?
Written October 10, 2016
When I will visit Chinatown, where is the best parking space?
Written July 18, 2015
Juanpabe51
Medellin, Colombia
Hola, el estacionamiento en el hotel es gratuito? es decir, las tarifas incluyen estacionamiento durante la estadía?
Written January 3, 2015
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing