Chicago's first Chinatown stood in the Loop. In 1912, pushed out by rising rents, its merchants moved south to Cermak Road and Wentworth Avenue, and built a neighborhood of their own, with a city hall, temples, bakeries and restaurants. It is one of the few Chinatowns in America that is still growing, and on weekends the dim sum crowds spill out onto the sidewalks. This walk takes you from a wall of nine dragons past the gate on Wentworth Avenue, the old city hall where the FBI raided a casino, a bakery that has made pork buns since 1986 and a plaza of zodiac animals to a pagoda on the river, where the water taxi leaves for downtown. Come hungry.
- Nearest 'L' station
- Cermak-Chinatown Red · 1 min walk to the start
The first 3 stops
Try these stops for free in the app. The full stories and directions are waiting for you there.
1Nine Dragon Wall
2Chinatown Branch Library
3Chinatown Gate
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🔒16 more stops to discover
In the app, Chinatown will be $2.99 for the full 1.3 mi route: every stop's photos and stories, and GPS guidance that tells you when you've arrived.
Coming soon to the PaveTrail app. The Chicago walks are on their way; New York's 26 walks are in the app now.
Also on this walk: Wentworth Avenue, Pui Tak Center, Chinatown Square and more
Sights
- Chinatown Square
- Chinese American Museum of Chicago
- Chinese American Veterans Memorial
- Chinese in America Mural
- Ping Tom Memorial Park
- Pui Tak Center
- St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church
- Wentworth Avenue
Food and drink
- Chiu Quon Bakery
- Go 4 Food
- Lao Sze Chuan
- MingHin
- Phoenix
- Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
- Triple Crown
Shops
- Ichiban Candy
