Perhaps no area of ​​Los Angeles does not emphasize the title of the "melting pot" of the city, and indeed of the whole country, like Chinatown. As it is clear from the name, it owes its name to the Chinese community, which chose this part of the city for its settlement. Today it is a real corner of Asia in the heart of America - around full of Chinese restaurants, snack bars and shops. But that's not all: Chinatown can also boast of significant "common American" monuments and many different events throughout the year.

A bit of history

The first mention of Celestial citizens in Los Angeles dates back to 1852 . Apparently, the pioneers the city's advantageous position and wide opportunities for enrichment were appreciated - five years later there was already a small community . The Chinese quickly established themselves in Los Angeles business - by 1870 there were about 200 permanent residents, mostly workers gardeners, peasants and road workers . Ironically, they lived in a small street Los Negros . At the beginning of the 20th century, immigrants from China managed to completely clean up the laundry business and grow up to an unthinkable 3000 people . Chinatown occupied 15 streets already, where there were about 200 "national" houses . As a consequence, there were numerous shops and restaurants, the Chinese Opera House and three temples . The residents of the district even issued their own newspaper, and when calling to Chinatown from other cities in the US needed to type a separate code, from personal from Los Angeles . Thanks to its authenticity, the area quickly gained popularity, and the first tourists here were Los Angeles residents who came to take a look at the exotic .

What to see

Start meeting with Chinatown is from the Central Square, which is located at North Broadway, 947. On the sides of the square you can see the traditional buildings in which the families of Chinese pioneers in Al Ai still live, and several monuments: the statue of the founder of the Republic of China, Sun Yat Sen, five ti-stepped pagoda and well of 1939, where it is customary to throw a coin and make a wish. In the shopping centers "Saigon Plaza", "Chinatown Plaza" and "Dainasti Center" you can buy jewelry, clothes and shoes . It is worth paying attention to the building of the oldest Chinese bank - Cathay Bank, Taoist temple, Chinese Methodist Church and Pacific Alliance Hospital, where doctors of traditional Chinese medicine are taking . The West Plaza shopping center should go in search of avant-garde paintings and curious art objects . Uz More about the history of the Chinese communities in Southern California in general and Los Angeles in particular can be found in the Chinese Historical Society, which displays many photographs and artifacts of the early years of the community's establishment .

Address: Chinatown, Los Angeles