Chinatown (San Francisco)

San Francisco’s Chinatown district is the oldest in the USA, and arguably the most famous in the western world. It covers a large area of downtown and made up of typically dense backstreets featuring over 300 restaurants, historic temples, vividly painted pagodas, animated markets and tacky souvenir stands. On cheap city breaks in San Francisco, you can take a guided walking tour through labyrinthine streets or simply follow your nose – the pungent aroma of spices, exotic herbal remedies and fish are everywhere. Chinatown’s main focus for souvenir hunters is the busy thoroughfare of Grant Street, resplendent with brightly coloured 1920’s shop houses and the famous Dragon Gate. Soak up the atmosphere of Portsmouth Plaza, where you will encounter myriad fortune tellers and pensioners practicing tai chi or playing backgammon.  

 

There are lots of amazing sights and attractions in Chinatown, not least a dozen or so attractive Buddhist and Taoist temples both old and modern. For a dose of oriental culture and history, on San Francisco weekend breaks, you should make your way to the Chinese Culture Centre, which puts on a dizzying variety of entertainment such as Chinese opera and dance, painting and floral design, artists’ workshops and craft fairs. It also has a fascinating exhibition space showcasing over a century of Chinese-American history. There are also several traditional Chinese art galleries displaying elaborate calligraphy, brush painting and beautiful ceramics.

 

Of course, on short breaks in San Francisco you should indulge in some ethnic bites, and there are hundreds of tempting restaurants choose to from whether you fancy a spot of dim sum or a full on supersized Cantonese banquet. Chinatown’s annual festivities and celebrations are legendary and a visit at Chinese New Year is one of those unforgettable once in a lifetime experiences. The chaotic Autumn Moon festival and the annual dragon boat races are also not to be missed.