Chinatown Travel Guide

Washington

A brightly lit traditional Chinese gate with intricate designs, a Walgreens store, and a Starbucks on a city street at night.
A bustling city street at night with illuminated signs and storefronts.
A street with cars, a Walgreens store, and a traditional Chinese gate.
A brightly lit traditional Chinese gate with intricate designs and characters, set against a city street at night.
A traditional Chinese gate with intricate designs and a sign in the center.

Discover a city centre neighbourhood with a variety of Asian shops and restaurants. Visit the nearby galleries, museums and entertainment centres.

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 theatres. Chinatown grew to prominence in the 1930s when Chinese immigrants opened businesses and decorated the neighbourhood’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 emphasise 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 Centre. 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 theatre 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 Centre.

Check the websites of the galleries, museums and theatres for admission fees, opening times and schedule of events.

Stay near popular Chinatown attractions

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

8.0/10 (59 reviews)
After visiting Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Washington. Discover the area's entertainment choices and notable monuments.
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Top hotels in Chinatown

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown

3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW Washington DC
The price is Rp1.813.965 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
Rp1.813.965
Rp2.103.208 total
26 Nov - 27 Nov
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,096 reviews)
"The hotel was one block away from the capital one arena which was perfect. Very nice bar in the basement. Room was just really small but the value was there being in DC and right around the corner from the event. Staff was very nice at the desk, bar and valet."

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC
The price is Rp1.609.921 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
Rp1.609.921
Rp1.866.703 total
22 Nov - 23 Nov
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,503 reviews)
"Great location, super kind and helpful staff, clean, provided everything we needed, overall really good experience, nothing to complain about."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2026

Washington Plaza Hotel
Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

4 out of 5
Washington DC
The price is Rp2.183.162 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
Rp2.183.162
Rp2.531.377 total
20 Nov - 21 Nov
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 ...
Glover Park Hotel Georgetown
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW Washington DC
The price is Rp1.626.968 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
Rp1.626.968
Rp2.429.682 total
26 Nov - 27 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,649 reviews)
"The staff was truly amazing, respectful and helpful. The room was small for a king bed, could use a renovation and upkeeping, but we loved location."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2026

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.675.946 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
Rp1.675.946
Rp1.943.259 total
29 Nov - 30 Nov
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 ...
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol
Holiday Inn Express Washington DC Downtown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Washington DC Downtown by IHG

2.5 out of 5
317 K St NW Washington DC
The price is Rp1.953.612 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp1.953.612
Rp2.265.213 total
24 Nov - 25 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Holiday Inn Express Washington DC Downtown by IHG
See all 6,004 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.

Where to stay in Chinatown

Find the best Chinatown areas for the activities you enjoy most.
The United States Capitol building with classical architecture, including columns and detailed sculptures.
Photo by The Graham County Chamber of Commerce
Open Photo by The Graham County Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Washington D.C.

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 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.

A large stone statue of a man in a suit with arms crossed, set against a clear sky.

Northwest

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Northwest. Check out top attractions like White House and Capital One Arena, and jump on the metro at Cleveland Park Station or Van Ness-UDC Station to see more of the city.

A stone bridge with multiple arches spanning a river, with bare trees in the foreground and a sunset sky.

Georgetown

Georgetown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Washington Harbour or Dumbarton Oaks.

A historic building with American flags, a church spire, and a brick courtyard.

Old Town Alexandria

Take time in Old Town Alexandria to visit attractions like Alexandria City Hall and Market Square. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at King Street Station to see more of the city.

A fountain with a statue of a figure, surrounded by trees and benches in a park.

Dupont Circle

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Chinatown Travel Guide