Welcome to one of the largest and most vibrant ethnic communities in North America, a densely populated 30-block community are known as Chicago’s Chinatown. Centered at Wentworth and Cermak, this community is home to over 10,000 residents and over 400 businesses and community institutions. Created and established between the 1890’s and 1912, Chinatown is a backdrop of cultural landmarks and popular sites such as the Nine Dragon Wall, Chinatown Gate, and Ping Tom Memorial Park. It offers a glimpse into the customs, traditions, and rich culture of one of the oldest civilizations in the world and hosts a number of important annual heritage festivals and events.
Once here your group can shop the many authentic haggling markets selling herbs, arts, crafts, and fashion, or eat the most ethnically true food in the several restaurants. Sugar and spice, and Dim Sum is nice, which is what you’ll find everywhere in this community! Head over to the classic Chinese style Chinatown Pavilion, take a photo by the most identified and memorialized Entrance Gate, or head over to the founding organization headquarters on 249 Cermak Avenue. Take a photo by the Dragon Column Monuments or pay respects by the Veterans Military Memorial or heritage site. Once you’ve haggled, ate, and seen all the sites (and trust us, there’s a lot) you can head over for an official tour to experience and learn the city inside and out. These one hour chaperoned walking tours are led by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and truly give you an immersive insight into this community, city, and Chinese nation as a whole!
