Chinatown Travel Guide

Washington

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


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 ₹8,227 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
₹8,227
₹9,539 total
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,628 reviews)
"Nice, no frills hotel. Very clean and in a prime area. Rooms are very small, as it is a “micro hotel”, otherwise it is a great choice."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 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 ₹9,348 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
₹9,348
₹10,839 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,402 reviews)
Great place
"The hotel and service was amazing.that had everything you need. The staff was friendly and so helpful. The food was great and very close to everything 10 out of 10"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 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 ₹9,606 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹9,606
₹13,736 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,431 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
3.5 out of 5
900 S Orme St, Arlington, VA
The price is ₹8,491 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹8,491
₹9,701 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
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! (2,309 reviews)
"Courteous and always-smiling reception desk staff. Well-designed lobby. Good-sized room and toilet. Hotel entrance from street is hard to identify (no sign & not well-lighted). There's one light switch (for the overhead wall light) that is very hard to identify (a small black button)."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel
4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw, Washington, DC
The price is ₹8,727 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹8,727
₹12,606 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,966 reviews)
"Parking is expensive, but all together a great hotel. Loved my experience !"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Omni Shoreham Hotel
Hotel Arboretum
Hotel Arboretum
2 out of 5
1917 Bladensburg Rd, NE, Washington, DC
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (823 reviews)
"It was ok but the heat in the hallways was unbearable. Most employees were friendly. The room keys kept not working and we kept them separate from our phones."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Hotel Arboretum
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. showing street scenes, night scenes and a city

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(156 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 Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center and jump on the metro at Archives Station to see more of the city.

Penn Quarter
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Logan Circle

A noteworthy feature of Logan Circle is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out National City Christian Church and Studio Theatre.

Logan Circle
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NoMa

While you're in NoMa, take in top sights like Union Station Shopping Center and jump on the metro at Gallaudet U Station to see more of the city.

NoMa
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

While you're in Southwest Federal Center, take in top sights like Smithsonian Institution or L'Enfant Plaza, and hop on the metro to see more of 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 of the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street

Chinatown Travel Guide