The Best Chinatown in the World
I have not been to all the Chinatowns in the world. However, I have seen and visited a number of them. Since I began traveling the globe, I was able to visit and explore the one in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Los Angeles, Yokohama, Kobe, and Manila. I think San Francisco has the most beautiful Chinatown anywhere ever.
If I were to give a ball park figure as to the number of times I have come here, I would say somewhere in the thousands. I come here to eat, buy dimsum, shop, and even attend church services on Sundays. San Francisco's Chinatown is indeed a feast for the eyes. It is extremely colorful, be if for its buildings or the merchandise sold inside them. Needless to say, a visit to this iconic section of the city is strongly encouraged.
A trip to SF's Chinatown is a momentary trip out of the US even though it is on US soil. I have been to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. I must say, SF's Chinatown is very authentic.
This dragon gate marks the entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown
The cable car passes through Chinatown from the Financial District. Remember though that this is not the same line as the one which departs from the Cable Car turnaround on Powell Street. Locals going home from the Financial district ride this on the weekdays.
Old St. Mary's Cathedral, my parish church
My favorite store in this part of town is always full of tourists from everywhere.
I never realized so many murals had been created in Chinatown. Walk along Grant Street and you are sure to see them on the many cross streets from California Street all the way to Broadway Avenue.
The façade of another souvenir store which has become an attraction in Chinatown. I was in Target and saw an image of it on a postcard.
One can easily spend a day browsing through the stores, wet markets, and restaurants here.
It is interesting how many stores here resemble each other in design as far as the layout of the merchandise is concerned.
These trinkets are sold on the sidewalk. You do need to haggle here. Remember folks, you may be in the US but when it comes to merchandise sold in the street, it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount. The Chinese locals know the drill.
While walking on Grant Street in Chinatown, one would be hard pressed not to see the huge amount of merchandise sold both inside the stores as well as on the sidewalk. Women's scarves, personalized California license plates, bamboo hats, parasols, you name it, it's here.
One of the two dragons guarding Citibank.
East West Bank
