Chinatown, Washington D.C.

Name: Chinatown
Address: Washington D.C., United States

#608 among attractions in Washington D.C.

Interesting neighbourhood

Gallery (3)

Map

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown is a small, historic area east of Downtown Washington, D.C. along H and I Streets between 5th and 8th Streets, Northwest. Historically, the area was once home to thousands of Chinese immigrants, which had shrunk to fewer than 300 in 2017. The current neighborhood was the second in Washington to be called “Chinatown” since 1931. Originally, the first Chinatown was built in the Federal Triangle on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue some time after 1851, but was relocated to the H Street area when a new federal building was built there. A Chinese gate was built over H Street at 7th Street. By 1997, prominent landmarks such as the Capital One Arena, a sports and entertainment arena, had gentrified the area. The neighborhood is served by the Gallery Place station of the Washington Metro. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 38°53'59"N, 77°1'16"W

Address

Northwest Washington (Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown)Washington D.C. United States

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Day trips

Chinatown – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Building Museum, International Spy Museum.

~840 ftSW
Art depicting historic American figures
National Portrait Gallery, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • The National Portrait Gallery, nestled in the heart of Washington D.C., United States, is a cultural landmark dedicated to showcasing the faces and stories that have shaped the American nation. This illustrious museum, tag: museum, is housed in a historic building that...
~1020 ftSW
1868 museum also houses Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • The Smithsonian American Art Museum, nestled in the heart of Washington D.C., is a treasure trove of American creativity. This museum, as a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation's first collection of American art and stands as a critical representation of...
~1230 ftSE
Architecture and engineering exhibits
National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • The National Building Museum stands as a majestic architectural treasure in the heart of Washington D.C., a mere stone's throw from the United States Capitol. Housed in a grand structure that once served as the Pension Building, this museum is dedicated to exploring...
~1230 ftSW
Interactive exhibits about espionage
International Spy Museum, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • Steeped in the shadowy world of espionage, the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. is a unique treasure trove of intrigue and mystery. This museum offers an immersive journey into the clandestine operations and intelligence activities that have shaped...
~1180 ftS
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
National Museum of Crime and Punishment, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, often simply referred to as the Crime Museum, offers a stark and intriguing journey through the history of crime and its consequences in the United States. Located in the heart of Washington D.C., this museum provides an...
~190 ftW
Monuments and statues
Friendship Archway, Washington D.C.
1 min walk • Friendship Archway is a paifang installed at Chinatown, Washington, D.C. United States. It is one of the largest ceremonial arches outside of China.
~620 ftS
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
3 min walk • Capital One Arena is an indoor arena in Washington, D.C. Located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, the arena sits atop the Gallery Place rapid transit station of the Washington Metro.
~810 ftSW
Museum, Greek Revival architecture, Art museum
Old Patent Office Building, Washington D.C.
4 min walk • The historic Old Patent Office Building in Washington, D.C. covers an entire city block defined by F and G Streets and 7th and 9th Streets NW in Chinatown. It served as one of the earliest United States Patent Office buildings.
~460 ftW
Church
Calvary Baptist Church, Washington D.C.
3 min walk • Calvary Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the Chinatown neighborhood in Washington, D.C. affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, the Alliance of Baptists, the District ...
~1520 ftS
Theater
Harman Center for the Arts, Washington D.C.
8 min walk • The Harman Center for the Arts is a complex consisting of the Lansburgh Theatre and Sidney Harman Hall in downtown Washington, D.C. USA. SHH is the latest addition to the existing Lansburgh Theatre to create the new "Center For the Arts". Construction began in November 2004 and it opened on September 15, 2007.
~1150 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
Historical Society of Washington, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. also called the DC History Center, is an educational foundation dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of Washington, D.C. The society provides lectures, exhibits, classes, and community events. It runs a museum, library, and publishes the journal Washington History.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Chinatown?

Nearby attractions include Friendship Archway, Washington D.C. (1 min walk), Sixth & I, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), Calvary Baptist Church, Washington D.C. (3 min walk), German-American Heritage Museum of the USA, Washington D.C. (3 min walk).

How to get to Chinatown by public transport?

The nearest stations to Chinatown:

Metro

Gallery Place • Lines: Gr, Rd, Yl (3 min walk)
Judiciary Square • Lines: Rd (9 min walk)

Bus

Washington Deluxe Bus (20 min walk)
Peter Pan Bus (20 min walk)

Train

Washington Union Station (21 min walk)
Russell (23 min walk)

Tram

Union Station • Lines: H Street/Benning Road Streetcar (23 min walk)
H Street & 5th Street Northeast • Lines: H Street/Benning Road Streetcar (30 min walk)