From the Golden Gate Bridge to the historic Alcatraz island, you’ll never be short of wonderful places to visit in San Francisco. If anything, it can be hard to decide where exactly you should go first! One attraction that I think really deserves your attention, though, is the Chinatown district.
The city is a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds, so, if you’re looking to gain a real appreciation of this after you arrive on your San Francisco flight, this is one place you really need to go to. If you’ve not already guessed by now, this part of the city is home to thousands of Asian immigrants and, with its multitude of temples and dragon statues, you’d be easily forgiven for thinking that you were in Shanghai rather than San Francisco! It’s the largest Chinatown anywhere in the world, so you should expect to come across lots of exciting attractions, as well as experience plenty of hustle and bustle, when you come here.
Situated in the city’s downtown area, Chinatown contains dozens of buildings that feature elements of traditional architecture. Head to the Bank of Canton (which was formerly the Chinese Telephone Exchange) and you’ll see an intricate pagoda roof, while the Bank of America branch has golden dragons on its doors and walls. Meandering through the district is an experience not to be missed and as you walk you’ll be fascinated by the sight of traditional herbal shops and cafes serving lots of tasty dishes.
You should also make the effort to stop by Portsmouth Square, as it is one of the few open spaces in Chinatown, so it’s a good place to take a breather. While you can simply relax on one of the many benches, you should take this time to get to know some of the locals better by playing a game of chess.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to capture your imagination, but if you find the choice to be a little overwhelming I suggest you book a place on guided tour. With an expert leading you through Chinatown’s winding streets, you will get to see things that would have otherwise escaped your attention.
There are plenty of companies that offer excursions through Chinatown, but if you want a slightly more unusual trip throughout the district you could go on a ghost walk. This is a great way to learn about some of the area’s urban legends, with guides on hand to tell you about mysterious goings-on and spirits. As you walk, you might be told about the adventures of modern-day vampire hunters and hear the tale of Fu Ling Yu, a gambler who was killed when caught cheating and whose spirit is said to roam the region. It’ll certainly make for a thrilling way to spend an evening!
Chinatown’s a great place to visit at any time of year, but if you want to see it at its best then I advise you to head here when the annual Moon Festival is on. Held in the autumn – either in September or October, although the specific date changes each year – the spectacle sees the district come alive in a weekend full of fun and celebration. Attend this fascinating event and you’ll get a great insight into Chinese culture thanks to street parades and art shows. There will also be the chance to tuck into mooncakes, a delicious Chinese pastry that usually features a red bean or lotus seed filling.