Chinatown

Washington

Washington featuring street scenes, night scenes and a city
Chinatown
Washington which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes
Washington featuring outdoor art, street scenes and a city
Washington featuring outdoor art, a city and night scenes

Discover a city center neighborhood with a variety of Asian shops and restaurants. Visit the nearby galleries, museums and entertainment centers.

Chinatown in Washington D.C. is a historic district where you can experience Asian charm and cuisine. It’s an enclave of Downtown Washington D.C. and located within close proximity to some of the city’s major art galleries, museums and theaters. Chinatown grew to prominence in the 1930s when Chinese immigrants opened businesses and decorated the neighborhood’s buildings with traditional artwork and signs.

Today, about 20 businesses survive that continue to showcase Asian culture. These businesses sit alongside modern buildings and well-known chain stores. Start your visit at the Friendship Archway, a typical gateway designed to emphasize the area’s Chinese character. Walk along the surrounding streets to see shopfronts adorned with bright lights and Chinese symbols.

Find teahouses and restaurants, which serve classic Asian dishes such as stir-fried noodles and wonton soup. Browse stores that sell crafts, medicinal herbs and spices. Visit the Chinese Community Church to hear sermons in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Time your visit to coincide with the Chinese New Year Parade, which takes place between late January and mid-February. Enjoy live music shows, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese dragon dances.

Visit Gallery Place for retail and entertainment options. This contemporary shopping mall is home to fashion outlets, bars, restaurants and a cinema.

To the south, Chinatown converges with the lively Penn Quarter. Watch basketball and ice hockey matches or attend concerts by world-famous acts at the Verizon Center. Spot work by national artists at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and see exhibitions about American culture at the National Portrait Gallery. Learn about the curious world of espionage at the International Spy Museum and attend a theater show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Chinatown is easy to get to via public buses and the metro. The most convenient metro stations are Gallery Place Chinatown and Metro Center.

Check the websites of the galleries, museums and theaters for admission fees, opening times and schedule of events.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is P5,315 per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
P5,315
P6,163 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,638 reviews)
"loved staying at this property! first time staying at a Motto branch and would recommend it! i saw how some previous guest had problems with their reservation not transferring to the hotel because they booked through expedia, i was a bit scared but called the hotel a day prior to my reservation and ..."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is P5,707 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P5,707
P6,618 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,507 reviews)
"lpved the hotel clean room nice pool and resturant"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is P5,461 per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
P5,461
P8,058 total
Aug 29 - Aug 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,562 reviews)
"Location was excellent, bar tender and concierge very helpful."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
State Plaza Hotel

State Plaza Hotel

3.5 out of 5
2116 E Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is P5,707 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P5,707
P6,618 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,389 reviews)
"amazing space for sleeping, dining and makeup.near the state plaza, the George Washington university and White house and so on. it is convenient for walkcity"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

State Plaza Hotel
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel

3.5 out of 5
900 S Orme St, Arlington, VA
The price is P5,315 per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
P5,315
P6,072 total
Aug 29 - Aug 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Arlington. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,475 reviews)
"We had a great time at Washington, D.C. The stay at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel was convenient for us while we were visiting. The hotel is actually located outside of Washington, D.C. but is in a nice location for a quick Uber ride in and out of D.C. Given we travelled in July one of the hottest ..."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
citizenM Washington DC Capitol

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

4 out of 5
550 School St SW, Washington, DC
The price is P5,679 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P5,679
P6,585 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,701 reviews)
"Love how modern and inexpensive it is"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Downtown Washington D.C. which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Washington D.C.
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Penn Quarter

While you're in Penn Quarter, take in top sights like FBI Headquarters and jump on the metro at Archives Station to see more of the city.

Penn Quarter
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Logan Circle

Logan Circle is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Studio Theatre and National City Christian Church, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Washington.

Logan Circle
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

If you're spending time in Southwest Federal Center, check out sights like Smithsonian Institution or L'Enfant Plaza and hop on the metro to see more the city at L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station.

Southwest Federal Center
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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like National Geographic Museum or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Dupont Circle which includes a monument and a statue or sculpture

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Dupont Circle

Chinatown