15 Things in Chicago’s Chinatown You’ll Wish You Found Sooner

Chicago’s Chinatown is more than a cluster of restaurants or a weekend photo op—it’s one of the city’s most culturally rich and emotionally resonant neighborhoods. Step off the Red Line at Cermak-Chinatown and you’re instantly immersed in a different rhythm: incense wafting from the temple steps, the crisp chop of cleavers in mom-and-pop butcher shops, paper lanterns swaying over tea houses, and elders playing xiangqi (Chinese chess) in the park with quiet intensity.

This isn’t a tourist trap dressed in dragon motifs. It’s a tight-knit community with deep immigrant roots, fierce pride, and an evolving identity that stretches far beyond sweet-and-sour stereotypes. And the things to do in Chicago’s Chinatown reflect just that—a vibrant mix of the old and new, the sacred and the street-level. You can pay your respects at a 100-year-old Buddhist temple, sip oat milk boba in a neon-lit dessert café, shop for jade charms and dried mushrooms, or take in the downtown skyline from the scenic Ping Tom Memorial Park.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong Chicagoan who’s never truly explored past the gateway, this guide to the best things to do in Chicago’s Chinatown will help you experience the neighborhood the way locals do: through food, culture, conversation, and a little bit of serendipity.

1. Snap a Photo at the Chinatown Gate

Location: Intersection of Cermak Rd & Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

The Chinatown Gate is more than just an entrance — it's a statement. Towering red columns, traditional green tiles, and golden characters welcome you to one of Chicago’s most iconic and culturally rich neighborhoods. The gate was built in 1975 as a tribute to the Chinese immigrants who helped shape the area, and it still stands today as a symbol of pride and perseverance.

It’s the perfect place to start your visit. Locals often use it as a meeting point, and almost every visitor pauses here for a photo — framed by the energy of Wentworth Avenue behind it. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, standing beneath the gate feels like stepping through a cultural threshold into another world.

2. Wander the Chinatown Square Plaza

Location: 2133 S. China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616

Just steps from the gate, Chinatown Square Plaza offers a vibrant contrast to the older part of the neighborhood. Opened in the 1990s, this modern open-air mall was built on a former rail yard and now serves as a bustling cultural and commercial hub. It’s where tradition meets trend — with bubble tea cafés next to herbal medicine shops, and dim sum joints around the corner from K-pop boutiques.

The plaza’s layout invites wandering: walk among life-sized statues representing the Chinese zodiac, admire colorful murals that tell stories of Chinese-American history, or shop for unique gifts like lucky bamboo, porcelain tea sets, and modern streetwear. There’s a stage for public performances, plenty of benches to sit with a bao bun in hand, and a steady flow of locals, tourists, and families enjoying the space.

If you’re only doing one stop in Chinatown, this spot gives you a taste of it all — food, culture, color, and energy.

3. Visit the Nine-Dragon Wall

Location: 170 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616 (just west of the Chinatown Gate)

Tucked into a quiet pocket just steps from the bustling Chinatown Gate, the Nine-Dragon Wall feels like a hidden jewel. This stunning mosaic replica is modeled after the famous Nine-Dragon Wall in Beijing’s Forbidden City. Brightly glazed tiles—yellow, green, and deep blue—depict nine sinuous dragons dancing across the surface, each symbolizing power, strength, and prosperity in Chinese culture.

It’s a peaceful spot to slow down and admire the craftsmanship. The wall faces a small, tree-lined courtyard with benches—perfect for a quick break from walking or a contemplative moment in between bites and browsing. If you’re into photography, it’s one of the most vivid backdrops in the neighborhood. Kids are usually drawn to the color and detail, while adults appreciate the cultural symbolism.

4. Eat Dim Sum at MingHin Cuisine

Location: 2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (inside Chinatown Square)

No visit to Chinatown is complete without dim sum, and MingHin Cuisine delivers the real deal. Known citywide for its Cantonese dishes and sleek, modern interior, this Michelin-recognized spot serves up steamed dumplings, BBQ pork buns, turnip cakes, chicken feet, congee, and more—pushed to your table the old-school way: on shiny metal carts that roll through the dining room.

The energy is half the fun—servers call out dishes, families gather around lazy Susans, and plates disappear almost as fast as they arrive. If you’ve never had dim sum, it’s the perfect way to try lots of small plates and share flavors with friends or family. If you’re a veteran, you’ll appreciate the freshness, attention to detail, and hard-to-find specialties like crispy taro puffs or steamed rice noodle rolls.

5. Explore the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago

Location: 238 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616

For a deeper understanding of Chinatown beyond its food and storefronts, the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) is a must-visit. Housed in a restored 1896 building that once served as a community center, this thoughtfully curated museum tells the story of Chinese immigrants in the Midwest—how they arrived, adapted, resisted discrimination, and helped shape the city around them.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits on immigration, family-owned laundries, Chinese railroad workers, and personal stories passed down through generations. Rotating exhibitions explore everything from traditional calligraphy to contemporary Chinese-American art, and the staff—often volunteers from the community—are passionate and eager to share context you won’t find in any travel guide.

It’s not a massive space, but it’s layered with emotion, pride, and lived history. Spend 30–45 minutes here and you’ll walk away with a much richer perspective on what makes this neighborhood tick.

6. Stroll Through Ping Tom Memorial Park

Location: 1700 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Hidden behind the rumble of the Red Line and just steps from Chinatown’s main streets lies a true urban oasis: Ping Tom Memorial Park. Set along the Chicago River, this 17-acre park is a tranquil escape where pagoda-style architecture meets skyline views. It’s a favorite among locals for morning tai chi, evening strolls, and weekend picnics under the shade of willow trees.

A curved red bridge leads you into the heart of the park, where you’ll find a Chinese-style pavilion, riverwalk paths, murals, and open lawns perfect for laying out with a bao and a book. Kayak rentals are available in warmer months, and the park often hosts cultural events like dragon boat races and music festivals.

Named after civic leader Ping Tom, who was instrumental in advocating for Chinatown’s development and preservation, the park reflects the community’s pride in both its past and future. It’s the kind of place where you go to take a breath—and remember that the best parts of a city are often just off the main drag.

7. Try Bubble Tea at Joy Yee’s

Location: 2139 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616 (inside Chinatown Square)

For many locals and loyal fans, Joy Yee’s Noodles is the undisputed OG of bubble tea in Chicago. Since opening in the late ‘90s, this colorful, bustling eatery has become a landmark for its massive menu of Asian comfort food—and, more famously, its dizzying selection of bubble teas and smoothies. We're talking over 100 combinations: classic milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls, mango slushies with lychee jelly, avocado shakes, red bean snow... it’s wild in the best way.

What sets Joy Yee’s apart (aside from its photogenic drinks served in oversized, logo-stamped cups) is that you can truly customize your drink. Choose your tea base, your fruit flavor, your level of sweetness, and which of the many toppings you want swimming in your cup. The drinks are delicious, yes—but they’re also fun, over-the-top, and part of the neighborhood's generational food culture.

You’ll almost always find a line, especially on weekends, but the chaos is part of the charm.

8. Shop for Gifts at Giftland or Aji Ichiban

Location: Giftland – 2211 S Wentworth Ave; Aji Ichiban – 2117B S China Pl (inside Chinatown Square)

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves poking around quirky shops for treasures you won’t find in a big-box store, Chinatown has you covered. Two standouts? Giftland and Aji Ichiban—each offering a different kiDnd of shopping experience that’s equal parts playful, nostalgic, and weirdly addictive.

Giftland is a true Chinatown classic. Step inside and you’ll find walls packed with paper lanterns, lucky cat figurines, zodiac trinkets, silk slippers, calligraphy scrolls, chopsticks, panda plushies, herbal patches, and just about every red-and-gold souvenir you can imagine. It’s kitschy in the best way—and the perfect place to find unique, affordable gifts.

Just a few blocks away, Aji Ichiban feels like a retro Asian candy shop that time forgot. This Hong Kong-based chain sells self-serve bins of dried fruits, salty snacks, milk candies, gummies, and seafood jerky. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure snack fest—great for trying new flavors or filling a goodie bag for friends back home.

9. Visit a Buddhist Temple

Location: Buddhist Temple of Chicago – 1151 W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (Note: not directly in Chinatown but accessible); Won Kow Building (historical)—2237 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

While Chicago’s Chinatown is known for its restaurants and shops, it also holds space for spiritual reflection. Though the original Won Kow building no longer functions as a temple (it closed in 2015 and was once the site of Chinatown’s oldest restaurant), the building still holds architectural significance, with its curved rooflines, decorative tiles, and distinctly Eastern design—a quiet reminder of Chinatown’s historical depth. It’s worth pausing outside for a look and a photo.

If you’re interested in a more immersive spiritual experience, the Buddhist Temple of Chicago in Uptown (a short Red Line ride north) offers a tranquil escape rooted in Japanese Jodo Shinshu tradition. Founded by Japanese-Americans after WWII, the temple welcomes visitors to its regular services, peaceful garden, and open meditation sessions.

Both locations, in different ways, remind visitors that Chinatown isn’t just about consumer culture—it’s also about ritual, reflection, and resilience.

10. Eat Hand-Pulled Noodles at Slurp Slurp Noodles

Location: 2247 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

If you’ve never watched someone stretch and slap a lump of dough into perfect strands of noodles, you’re missing out. Slurp Slurp Noodles, a cozy shop on Wentworth Ave, specializes in Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles—a northern Chinese comfort food that’s chewy, slurpable, and endlessly satisfying. You can literally hear the rhythmic whap-whap of the chef pulling noodles in the open kitchen, giving the place a kinetic, street-side energy that pulls people in.

Start with their signature bowl: rich beef broth, sliced brisket, crisp bok choy, cilantro, chili oil, and your choice of noodle thickness (yes, you get to pick). Whether you like wide ribbons or thin strands, the result is a hearty, soul-warming meal that’s hard to forget.

The menu also features sides like spicy cucumbers, pork dumplings, and cold noodle salads—perfect complements if you’re coming with friends or sharing a spread.

11. Get a Custom Chop (Name Seal) Made

Location: Available at various gift shops and specialty stores, including Ten Ren Tea – 2247 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

If you’re looking for a souvenir that feels both meaningful and timeless, skip the fridge magnets and order a custom Chinese name chop. These traditional stone seals, used historically in East Asia to sign documents or artwork, are carved with your name in Chinese characters — and they’re as personal as travel mementos get.

Shops like Ten Ren Tea (yes, the popular tea store) often offer chop-making services in the back. You’ll select a stone (jade, marble, or soapstone are popular), then work with staff to choose the right characters — either a direct translation of your name or something symbolic. Once engraved, it’s presented in a silk box with red cinnabar ink. The whole experience is surprisingly affordable and deeply memorable.

The result? A one-of-a-kind seal that connects you to centuries of Chinese calligraphy and identity. Artists love them. Writers treasure them. And travelers? They take them home as tactile proof they came, saw, and connected with something deeper.

12. Browse the Chinatown Library

Location: 2100 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

It might not be the first place you think to visit, but the Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library is a quietly powerful stop on your cultural tour. Opened in 2015, this modern building blends feng shui principles with cutting-edge architecture, offering a serene, light-filled space designed to reflect both Chinese heritage and Chicago’s urban landscape.

Inside, you’ll find bilingual collections in English and Chinese, including novels, cookbooks, children’s stories, and reference materials. There are community rooms for calligraphy classes and author talks, a dedicated teen zone, and one of the city’s most popular reading gardens. For travelers with kids, it’s a great indoor break; for solo visitors, it’s a place to pause, read, and take in the cultural heartbeat of the neighborhood.

The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and often local to Chinatown themselves—ready to share recommendations or help translate signage you spotted during your walk. It’s not just a library; it’s a living community hub.

13. Try Traditional Chinese Medicine

Location: Various apothecaries along Wentworth Ave and inside Chinatown Square — notable shops include Yin Wall City and Tai Wah Herbal Center

One of the most fascinating ways to experience Chinatown is through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—a holistic approach to wellness practiced for thousands of years. Along Wentworth Avenue and tucked into small storefronts and herbal shops, you’ll find shelves lined with glass jars of dried roots, ginseng, chrysanthemum flowers, dried seahorses, powdered pearl, and more, each with a specific use tied to ancient principles of balance and energy flow.

Don’t be shy—step inside and ask questions. In many of these shops, licensed practitioners are available for walk-in consultations, where they may check your pulse or ask about symptoms before recommending a personalized blend of herbs or teas. Even if you don’t go the full TCM route, browsing the apothecaries is like walking through a living museum of natural medicine. The smells, the textures, the careful organization—it all tells a story about how health and tradition are intertwined in Chinese culture.

14. Celebrate at a Festival

Location: Chinatown Square Plaza, Wentworth Ave, and surrounding streets (varies by event)

Chinatown doesn’t just preserve tradition—it brings it to life through spectacular community festivals. If your trip lines up with one of the major cultural celebrations, prepare for an experience that’s equal parts color, rhythm, and energy.

The most famous event is Chinese New Year, usually in late January or February, when the streets burst with firecrackers, lion and dragon dances, and red lanterns strung between buildings. The Dragon Boat Festival, typically held in June along the Chicago River near Ping Tom Memorial Park, features high-speed boat races, traditional music, and sticky rice dumplings called zongzi. And the Autumn Moon Festival, often held in September, celebrates the harvest with glowing lanterns, mooncakes, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

These festivals aren’t just for show—they’re rooted in deep cultural meaning, honoring ancestors, unity, and the cyclical nature of life. Expect live music, pop-up food stalls, traditional performances, and a contagious sense of joy that spills into every corner of the neighborhood.

15. Dine Late at Chi Cafe

Location: 2160 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

When most of the neighborhood winds down for the night, Chi Cafe is just hitting its stride. Open until 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on weekends), this sleek, neon-lit diner is a go-to spot for night owls, industry folks, and hungry locals looking for a late-night bowl of comfort. The vibe? Think Hong Kong café meets modern Chicago diner—with glowing backlit menus, polished wood tables, and a quiet buzz that never fully dies down.

The menu is massive, spanning Cantonese and Hong Kong-style comfort food: pork chop rice, XO noodles, sizzling clay pots, silky congee, milk tea with condensed milk, and even late-night takes on seafood and veggies. Everything comes out fast, hot, and generous in portion. It’s a favorite for post-shift chefs, insomniacs, and anyone who understands that some cravings only hit after midnight.

If you're the kind of traveler who likes to end the night with something real—not a protein bar or vending machine snack—Chi Cafe delivers. It’s not just a meal; it’s a local ritual, and one of the best ways to experience Chinatown when the crowds are gone and the streetlights hum.

Conclusion

Chicago’s Chinatown isn’t just a place you visit—it’s a place you feel. It hums with energy in the morning bustle of bakeries, whispers with history in temple doorways, and glows late into the night under neon signs and bubbling noodle bowls. Whether you came for the food, the festivals, or a quiet stroll by the river, one thing’s certain: you’ll leave with more than you expected.

This neighborhood is alive with traditions both ancient and evolving—where you can sip boba tea, shop for herbal remedies, cheer on dragon boat racers, or reflect quietly in a feng shui-designed library. It’s where every street corner tells a story, every dumpling holds memory, and every festival invites you into something larger than yourself.

So linger. Explore. Ask questions. Eat more than you planned. And above all, let curiosity lead. Because the real joy of Chinatown isn’t just checking off things to do—it’s in connecting to a community with deep roots and open arms.

Ready for your own story? Chinatown’s waiting.

FAQ

1. How do I get to Chicago’s Chinatown?

Chicago’s Chinatown is easily accessible via public transportation. The CTA Red Line stops at Cermak-Chinatown, placing you steps away from Chinatown Gate. Buses like the #21 and #62 also serve the area. If driving, metered street parking and a few public lots are available, though weekends can be crowded—public transit is your best bet.

2. What is Chinatown in Chicago known for?

Chinatown is known for its vibrant mix of Chinese culture, food, art, and history. It features everything from traditional apothecaries and Buddhist temples to modern bubble tea spots and noodle shops. The neighborhood is also famous for seasonal festivals like Lunar New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival, which draw crowds from across the city.

3. Is Chicago’s Chinatown worth visiting?

Absolutely. Chinatown offers a rich cultural experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city. It’s ideal for foodies, history lovers, architecture buffs, and curious travelers who want to step into a world of tradition, community, and bold flavors—all within walking distance of downtown Chicago.

4. What’s the best time to visit Chinatown?

The best time to visit is spring through early fall, especially during major festivals like Chinese New Year (January/February), the Dragon Boat Festival (June), and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (September). For fewer crowds, visit on weekday afternoons or early evenings.

5. How long should I plan to spend in Chinatown?

Plan to spend at least half a day, though a full day lets you experience more: start with dim sum, explore temples and shops, take a riverfront walk in Ping Tom Park, and stay late for dinner or dessert. Evening visits offer fewer crowds and a magical, lantern-lit atmosphere.

6. Are there vegetarian or vegan food options in Chinatown?

Yes! Many restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan dishes, including tofu, veggie dumplings, stir-fried greens, and meat-free noodle soups. Try places like Vegetarian House (a few blocks from the main plaza) or ask staff at traditional spots—they’re often happy to accommodate dietary needs.