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

White House

White House

4/5(142 reviews)

Explore the home and workplace of the president of the United States. See entertainment areas and state rooms and learn about the history of this famous building.

White House
National Mall which includes a city, an administrative building and heritage architecture

National Mall

4.5/5(65 reviews)

Washington’s famous strip is teeming with American history in each and every monument and museum that you’ll see.

National Mall
National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Institution

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Smithsonian Institution is a popular museum in Washington with a rich history. Discover the area's entertainment choices and notable monuments.

Smithsonian Institution
United States Capitol

United States Capitol

4.5/5(144 reviews)

Sitting on top of Capitol Hill is a Washington landmark that’s been the home of American democracy for more than 200 years.

United States Capitol
Arlington National Cemetery which includes a cemetery, a square or plaza and a memorial

Arlington National Cemetery

4.5/5(109 reviews)

A beautiful and vast space, America's most famous military cemetery is a fitting tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes.

Arlington National Cemetery
University of Maryland, College Park

University of Maryland, College Park

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of University of Maryland, College Park during your travels in College Park. Experience the area's fascinating museums and lively festivals.

University of Maryland, College Park

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 ₹7,553 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
₹7,553
₹8,758 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,760 reviews)
Great location and a fantastic hotel.

Reviewed on 2 Dec 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 ₹8,909 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
₹8,909
₹10,330 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
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! (4,846 reviews)
Other than providing if and credit card, everything went smoothly

Reviewed on 7 Dec 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 ₹8,423 per night from 1 Jan to 2 Jan
₹8,423
₹12,474 total
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
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 helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,981 reviews)
The hotel had four elevators that made it easy to get up or down The QR code on the room card wasn’t easy to get accepted to go to a particular floor

Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol

3 out of 5
1225 First St NE Washington DC
The price is ₹7,900 per night from 23 Dec to 24 Dec
₹7,900
₹9,160 total
23 Dec - 24 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,782 reviews)
Most staff was great. The managers weren’t as welcoming. Hotel is fine but it didn’t feel like a Hilton Hotel. Felt a little dated. You could tell the carpets weren’t super clean. The color helped hid dirt and stains. Also, the AC didn’t work well.

Reviewed on 7 Dec 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol
Glover Park - Georgetown

Glover Park - Georgetown

4 out of 5
Washington DC
The price is ₹10,633 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
₹10,633
₹12,329 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,716 reviews)
The hotel was quite nice, however, the staff at the front desk, not so much. Whomever checked us in was wonderful; warm, friendly and personable. The lady who checked us out...would be an awesome front desk receptionist at the IRS or maybe an abortion clinic. She had the personality of a kidney stone, ...

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2025

Glover Park - Georgetown
citizenM Washington DC Capitol

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

4 out of 5
550 School St SW Washington DC
The price is ₹8,009 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
₹8,009
₹9,287 total
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,005 reviews)
Loved the room, the staff and the lobby vibe.so cool clean and modern.

Reviewed on 4 Dec 2025

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
See all 6,314 properties in Chinatown
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 Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of Women in the Arts, 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 United States Navy Memorial 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 Studio Theatre and Mary McLeod Bethune Council House.

Logan Circle
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NoMa

While you're in NoMa, take in top sights like Smithsonian Institution 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