Easily accessible by the CTA’s Red line, Chicago’s Chinatown is the second-largest in the United States. Although it’s technically part of the South Loop, a trip to the neighborhood can make you feel like you’re a world away. Instagram-worthy street art, delicious food, and beautiful architecture make Chinatown a cool combination of old and new.
If you’re planning a visit, here are a few can’t-miss stops:
Nine Dragon Wall
158 W. Cermak Rd.
When you get off the Red Line, be sure to take a picture at the Nine Dragon Wall, inspired by the wall in Bejing’s Beihai Park. The wall is made of glazed Chinese tile. Nine large dragons represent longevity in Chinese culture, while the smaller dragons painted around the wall in red, gold, and blue represent good fortune.
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S. Wentworth
Located along the banks of the Chicago River, Ping Tom Memorial Park was once a railyard. Today, the nearly 20-acre space has a beautiful green space, playground, gymnasium, and pool. Sit on the patio and enjoy a view of the city’s skyline, or visit the boathouse, where you can rent a kayak in the summer months. And don’t leave without visiting the murals near the 18th Street bridge.
Chinatown Square
2133 S. China Pl.
Explore the shops and restaurants that fill this two-story outdoor mall. And when you’re done, enjoy the artwork all around, including statues of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and the Chinese-in-America mural made of thousands of pieces of hand-painted Chinese glass.
Chinese-American Museum of Chicago
238 W. 23rd Street
No trip to Chinatown is complete without a visit to the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago. This beautifully curated display of Chinese-American culture first opened to the public in 2005 and reopened in 2010 after a fire. There are two floors of exhibits, including historic furniture, jewelry, paintings, and a collection of stories of Chinese immigration to the Midwest.
You can’t visit Chinatown without sampling some of the delicious food from the restaurants in the area. Here are a few of our favorites:
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
2002 S. Wentworth
Qing Xiang Yuan is known for its delicious handmade dumplings. Choose from beef, pork, seafood, or vegan fillings, or try something from their seasonal menu. And you can wash it all down with a variety of herbal teas.
MingHin
2168 S. Archer
MingHin has several locations in the Chicagoland area, but the Chinatown location has a menu full of traditional Cantonese dishes. Not sure what to order? Look online ahead of time at the mouth-watering pictures of each dish.
Dolo Restaurant & Bar
2222 S. Archer
If you’re planning a night out, check out Dolo’s tasty offering of gourmet dim sum and live seafood. Enjoy your food at a table or watch the game at the fully-stocked bar.
Hello Jasmine
2026 S. Clark
For a quick bite, head to Hello Jasmine for traditional Taiwanese food and drinks. Choose from a variety of milk teas, fruit teas, and smoothies while you snack on something from the street food menu. Fried sweet corn? Yes, please!