What To Do In Chinatown Los Angeles with One Afternoon (2024)

One afternoon is just the right amount of time to explore one of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods: Chinatown. If you’re visiting Los Angeles soon, don’t miss this enchanting neighborhood filled with amazing restaurants, shops, architecture, and more.

Chinatown Los Angeles was developed in 1938, after the original Chinatown LA was sadly demolished to build Union Station.

Now located slightly northwest of its original spot, Los Angeles’ Chinatown is filled with businesses belonging to the original Chinese families who first moved here and also first-generation Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees.

Today’s Chinatown in Los Angeles is both a popular tourist destination and a thriving community, where you can find beautiful displays of Chinese culture and tradition.

So, what can you do in Chinatown Los Angeles in one afternoon?

Keep reading for highlights on the best dining, shopping, and attractions in Chinatown, straight from a local (me!) who’s lived in LA for 15 years.

And if you like this post so far, be sure to also check out my video recapping what to do in Chinatown:

CHINATOWN, LOS ANGELES | What to See, Do, Eat & Explore

Getting to Chinatown Los Angeles

Transit

Los Angeles’ Chinatown is incredibly walkable, so you can easily take the Metro Gold Line to the Chinatown stop. When you hop off, you’re just a block from Central Plaza. 

Car

Or, you can get to Chinatown by car, but keep in mind parking may be a little bit hard to find here. Metered street parking is available, and parking lots around the area typically cost about $8-15.

Architecture in Chinatown, Los Angeles

In just one afternoon, you can see amazing architecture featuring incredible curved roofs, vibrant colors, and neon lighting.

Symbolic ornamentation can be found at every turn. Fire-breathing dragons, fish and crabs, tigers, phoenixes, and stunning water features are part of what makes Chinatown so fun to explore.

Did you know that evil spirits can’t cross water, and upturned eaves repel evil spirits? That’s why you’ll see many water features and upturned rooflines throughout all of Chinatown.

The colors of red, gold, and yellow each symbolize good luck and happiness, immortality, and royalty, respectively. Every architectural and design feature serves a purpose. It’s fascinating!

Shopping in Chinatown LA

Stop by Chunky Gifts, a small business selling art and craft goods by AAPI creatives. The jewelry, artisan candles, stickers, and more items make great souvenirs!

You can also meander around many of the small souvenir shops for figurines of Buddha, wind chimes, cool magnets, and other collectibles.

Looking for a miniature bonsai tree? You can find an excellent array of bonsais sold by a street vendor in Chinatown!

Saigon Plaza, Chinatown Plaza, and Dynasty Shopping Center in Los Angeles’ Chinatown are ideal for shopping. Pro tip: These centers are great for finding souvenirs like t-shirts and mini figurines at cheaper prices than those found in Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Venice Beach.

Fun Tours of Chinatown Los Angeles

If you’re looking for a unique and exciting way to explore Chinatown, consider taking a tour. The colorful architecture, bustling markets, and history of Chinatown are fascinating. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, a Chinatown tour is a great way to discover the hidden gems of this bustling neighborhood.

Ghost Tour

If you love ghost stories, don’t miss this exciting ghost-hunting tour by GetYourGuide. Led by a paranormal investigator, this tour will take you through haunted sites, seeking out active spirits while armed with ghost-hunting gear!

Although I haven’t personally taken this tour, I have taken other tours by GetYourGuide, and they’ve always been spectacular.

This tour is such a good one if you’re into spooky stuff!

🤩 Book The Haunt, a Ghost Hunting Tour in Chinatown!

Free Walking Tour

Although there aren’t regularly scheduled tours every day throughout Chinatown, you can check the calendar here on the neighborhood’s website to see if the “Undiscovered Chinatown” tour is running on the day of your visit. 

This free walking tour will take you through a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more in Chinatown. You’ll be able to see off-the-beaten-track points of interest and also help you score some great deals while bargain shopping!

Museums in Chinatown Los Angeles

Cakeland

Love cake? This place is for you! CAKELAND is a unique art museum and immersive experience located in Los Angeles.

Created by Oakland-based artist Scott Hove, CAKELAND is a surreal world of cake-inspired sculptures, featuring intricate and whimsical designs made from foam, paint, and other materials. 

Walk in, and you’ll be in a dream! Massive cake sculptures are on every wall and ceiling here.

It’s definitely worth the small fee to get in. This one-of-a-kind cake museum is totally Instagrammable and so much fun to explore.

Chinese American Museum

The Chinese American Museum showcases the history and contributions of Chinese Americans in Los Angeles.

Here, you can learn about the immigration of Chinese individuals to the US, the role of Chinese Americans in making the transcontinental railroad, and the experiences of Chinese Americans in LA.

Chill at the Park and Get Great Views of Los Angeles

If you have a little bit of time to spare, head over to LA State Historic Park, also known by locals as the cornfields. LA Historic Park is one of the best in the city because you can see incredible views of downtown LA from here. 

And better yet, it’s dog-friendly! I love bringing my dog, Casper, to have a picnic and toss a ball around. He absolutely loves it!

Where to Eat in Chinatown Los Angeles

Now it’s time for a meal! As you can imagine, there are so many delicious restaurant options in Chinatown.

You can find traditional Chinese food here, and also many other Asian cuisines, too, like Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese. 

Plus, Chinatown is also home to new-school eateries, like Burgerlords, offering the best vegan milkshakes and burgers around town.

Yang Chow

On our visit, we went to Yang Chow, a historic restaurant famous across all of Los Angeles.

I got the sizzling rice soup, a big plate of orange chicken, and beef with broccoli. I personally loved the soup the best! You can even see a wall of pictures of celebrities who have been to Yang Chow.

And of course I had a fortune cookie at the end of the meal!

Can you guess what my fortune was??? I can’t tell you, or else it won’t come true — but let’s just say, it was a good one! 😃 🥠

Homegirl Cafe

While you’re exploring all the shopping options in Chinatown, don’t forget to stop by Homegirl Cafe for a green smoothie.

Homegirl Cafe is part of Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit in LA providing tattoo removal, job opportunities and more services to former gang members. Your purchase here goes to a great cause!

Golden Dragon Restaurant

Come here for great dim sum! Golden Dragon has been highlighted again and again as one of the best dim sum spots in Los Angeles.

Feast on pot stickers, tangerine beef, shrimp, and leek dumplings. Delicious!

CBS Seafood

This bustling spot, known for a dining room decked out with art deco turquoise chairs and red tapestries, is more than just a seafood paradise. It’s famous for its BBQ meats and an array of dim sum delights, too.

Expect carts brimming with favorites like har gow, shumai, and the most scrumptious shrimp dishes. The Peking duck is a showstopper here, and the lively atmosphere adds to the authentic experience.

Be sure to make reservations!

Tian’s Dim Sum

Tucked in LA’s Chinatown, Tian’s Dim Sum is your go-to for an authentic dim sum experience. This quaint spot offers classics like pan-fried turnip cakes and BBQ pork rolls.

A casual setting with no dim sum carts, you can place your order directly and savor the variety. Perfect for a quick, diverse taste of dim sum in the heart of the city!

Far East Plaza

Far East Plaza is a culinary hotspot. Here, you can find the famous Howlin’ Ray’s (my personal favorite), Thien Huong, a delicious Vietnamese restaurant, and Eddie Huang’s NYC Baohaus.

Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Far East Plaza is a must-visit for any food enthusiast in Chinatown.

Bakeries in Chinatown Los Angeles

Phoenix Bakery

Step into Phoenix Bakery for a taste of Chinatown’s sweet heritage! Famous for its signature Strawberry Cream Cake, this family-run bakery has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1938. Offering a delightful array of traditional Chinese pastries and American sweets, Phoenix Bakery is a MUST visit for dessert lovers.

More amazing bakeries in Chinatown Los Angeles:

• Queen’s Bakery
• Long’s Family Pastry
• The Wonder Bakery
• Kim Hung Bakery

Other Things to Do in Chinatown Los Angeles

Dragon Gate: Chinatown’s Architectural Gem

During you visit to Chinatown LA, be sure to see the Dragon Gate on Broadway Street. It’s a gateway that you can’t miss, signifying the entrance into the neighborhood.

The two dragons are looking at each other, almost as if they’re about to fight! Definitely a great photo opp, and also a great way to appreciate the history and artistry of Chinatown.

Art Galleries

Chinatown’s vibrant art scene is a hidden gem, with galleries like The Good Luck Gallery, Coagula Curatorial, and Fifth Floor Gallery offering a peek into contemporary and avant-garde art. These galleries showcase a diverse range of artworks, from local to international artists.

Chinatown Central Plaza

Central Plaza in Chinatown, Los Angeles, is steeped in history and Hollywood glamour. Developed in the 1930s, it presents a ‘Hollywoodized’ version of Shanghai, featuring streets like Bamboo Lane, Gin Ling Way, and Chung King Road.

You’ll find two prominent statues in Central Plaza. One is of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a pivotal figure in Chinese history.

The other is a tribute to the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, unveiled in 2013. You’ve gotta see it!

Events in Chinatown LA

Nearly every month of the year, you can find a fun event happening in Chinatown LA. These events highlight Chinatown’s dynamic community and cultural richness.

A few include:

• Chinese New Year Festival & Parade: Celebrates the lunar new year with a colorful parade and festivities.
• Chinatown Summer Nights: Features an array of food trucks, vendors, culinary demonstrations, and cultural activities.
• Chinatown After Dark: A monthly event offering new culinary experiences and music from emerging artists.
• Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: A traditional celebration with mooncakes and cultural activities.

🤩 Save up to 50% on Los Angeles attractions with a GoCity Pass.

With the GoCity Pass, you just pay one flat fee to see LA’s best attractions. It’s a great way to see the most amount of things on your trip, and save money.

Plus, if you decide to change your mind, you can get a refund for a non-activated pass within 90 days of purchase.

Well friends, that’s it for today. I hope this blog post was helpful! Do you have more questions about what to do in Chinatown Los Angeles? Leave a comment below!