Welcome to Chinatown
A historic neighborhood in Chicago celebrating Chinese culture.
Imagine stepping around the corner and finding yourself in front of the Chinatown Gateway, one of the most prominent landmarks in the area. Now step through, and suddenly you are surrounded by elaborately adorned streets, ornate architecture, and a colorful world of culture. That's what you'll experience living in the Chinatown neighborhood of Chicago. Some describe it as sensory overload, while others consider it an immersion into Chinese culture.
Residential areas are quaint and have plenty of trees and green spaces. You’ll find well-maintained yards, landscaping, and the friendly, close-knit community known by the rest of the neighborhood. Choose from housing options like luxury condominium buildings, apartments, historic single-family homes, two and three-apartment homes, row houses, and much more.
What to Love
- Excellent Chinese restaurants
- The Chicago Skyline Viewpoint
- Chinatown Summer Fair
- Close-knit community, vibrant culture, and colorful place to live
Local Lifestyle
Residents thoroughly enjoy Chinatown for so much more than the charming, historic homes and well-kept yards. The true happiness comes from the abundance of culture, ornate architectural stylings, great Chinese restaurants, and signature events. Everywhere you turn, you'll find eclectic buildings and artifacts, like the Nine Dragon Wall, a jewel-toned piece of art honoring Chinese folklore. Events like the Lunar New Year Parade provide an example of the community and culture seen every day in this well-loved neighborhood.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There is no shortage of shopping and dining options in the area, especially with the exceptional Chinese restaurants. Throughout the community, there are shops to enjoy, like the Chinatown Bazaar and Asian Image, for a unique-to-town experience. After shopping, head to Kung Fu Tea for a fresh, funky spin on bubble tea.
Joy Yee Plus has bubble tea and was the first in the Midwest to do so, but the noodles are what keep folks coming back for more. Their diverse selection of offerings features different styles of dishes and flavors from across Asia, ensuring everyone gets something they desire. Ken Kee Restaurant is in the center of the neighborhood and serves traditional Cantonese dishes and Hong Kong cart noodles. These delectable noodles are prepared with a dedication to the craft, and the assortment of toppings is endless.
Known as one of the best hot pot restaurants in the Chicago area, Happy Lamb Hot Pot is an all-you-can-eat style Mongolian hot pot restaurant. Skip the sauces and enjoy the ingredients' freshness and the broth's exceptional flavor. For a stylish and conveniently located option for dim sum, look no further than MingHin Cuisine. Enjoy options like juicy har gow, pan-fried turnip cakes, and for dessert, Malay, a deliciously steamed egg cake.
Speaking of dessert, locals love heading to Kyo Matcha, a matcha-based dessert restaurant featuring options like floats, cakes, and puffs. It provides a genuinely unique experience highlighting this Japanese tea's earthy and delicious flavors.
Things to Do
Chinatown has many delightful museums and fun Chinese celebrations to enjoy. The Chinese American Museum of Chicago provides a chance to appreciate Chinese American culture through a selection of exhibitions, education, and research. The museum also holds the Chinese New Year Celebration, featuring traditional music, lion dancing, calligraphy design, and delicious food. That's not the only Chinese New Year celebration held in the area, though. The Chinatown Community Foundation also has a celebration that includes a parade featuring traditional Chinese dragon and lion dancing, colorful floats, and marching bands.
The foundation also holds the Summer Fair, an iconic and unique outdoor event featuring Chinese folk dancing, breakdance battles, fashion shows, musical performances, and much more. It is a fun event loved by everyone and one you certainly won't want to miss. Ping Tom Memorial Park is located along the Chicago River. The park features a fieldhouse with a multi-purpose gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, meeting rooms, fitness center, and more. You'll also enjoy outdoor athletic fields, walking paths along the river, a boathouse that offers kayak rentals, and playgrounds.
Schools
