The city within a city: San Francisco Chinatown
From my readings on the net, I have learned that the San Francisco Chinatown is the oldest (circa 1840) and largest Chinese community in the USA, as well as outside of Asia. Now that makes this ethnic quarter one of our definite stops!
We’ve actually passed by the area many times with the car but because the parking meters here are the old accepting-only-coins version, we had to seek parking elsewhere. For this California trip, we’ve mainly survived paying by credit card. The USA is a country that values credit worthiness and primarily spends on credit cards (don’t get me started with the Netherlands because our credit cards here are actually debit cards), so why not make the most of it? Very convenient—no worries on having leftover US Dollars, and in fact, we have used some of our leftover US Dollars from last year's trip, and yeah, no ATM foreign withdrawal fees as well. It couldn’t have been more perfect as we found a free parking spot up in Montgomery street which was just a few minutes’ walk to Chinatown.
I really liked San Francisco’s Chinatown, it is very authentic and I felt like I was in Asia. The shops teeming with ‘Made in China’ goods and trimmings in gold and red remind me of the streets in Hong Kong. What more, the mob of black haired people dashing through the sidewalks elbow-to-elbow and hurriedly crossing the streets transported me to Asia. ‘Uh, this is so Hong Kong...’ says the Dutchman confirming what I had in mind with a hint of nostalgia in his voice (he temporarily lived there last year). Even the streets are translated into Chinese characters! It is always a marvel of activity in Chinatown, a city within a city, equipped with its own infrastructure, from banks, a hospital, schools, a post office, temples and more. Just brilliant.
I’ve been to New York’s Chinatown and I must say it did not come close. A must see indeed when in San Francisco! Even for just a quick stroll.
Directions: The neighbourhood is located between North Beach (where the Italian neighbourhood is) and downtown San Francisco which is the Financial District as well. The main entrance to San Francisco’s Chinatown with the pagoda roof gateway as seen on foto above, called the ‘Dragon Gate’ is along Bush Street and the main street on Chinatown is Grant Avenue.
One of my favourite fotos, took this inside the car while waiting for the red light to turn green.
Grant Avenue, the main street in Chinatown.
Streets have Chinese characters translation and it is always busy here.
The American and Chinese flags fly side by side in San Francisco's Chinatown.
All 'Made in China' products! Those lanterns are nice for the summer in the garden at night.
Always SALE in Chinatown =) and folding wooden doors with Chinese bronze artwork, pretty.
Chinese baked goods.
More Chinatown scenes.
All my fotos are here: San Francisco Chinatown, California, USA
Travel Period: March 2011
Destination: San Francisco (California), USA
We’ve actually passed by the area many times with the car but because the parking meters here are the old accepting-only-coins version, we had to seek parking elsewhere. For this California trip, we’ve mainly survived paying by credit card. The USA is a country that values credit worthiness and primarily spends on credit cards (don’t get me started with the Netherlands because our credit cards here are actually debit cards), so why not make the most of it? Very convenient—no worries on having leftover US Dollars, and in fact, we have used some of our leftover US Dollars from last year's trip, and yeah, no ATM foreign withdrawal fees as well. It couldn’t have been more perfect as we found a free parking spot up in Montgomery street which was just a few minutes’ walk to Chinatown.I really liked San Francisco’s Chinatown, it is very authentic and I felt like I was in Asia. The shops teeming with ‘Made in China’ goods and trimmings in gold and red remind me of the streets in Hong Kong. What more, the mob of black haired people dashing through the sidewalks elbow-to-elbow and hurriedly crossing the streets transported me to Asia. ‘Uh, this is so Hong Kong...’ says the Dutchman confirming what I had in mind with a hint of nostalgia in his voice (he temporarily lived there last year). Even the streets are translated into Chinese characters! It is always a marvel of activity in Chinatown, a city within a city, equipped with its own infrastructure, from banks, a hospital, schools, a post office, temples and more. Just brilliant.
I’ve been to New York’s Chinatown and I must say it did not come close. A must see indeed when in San Francisco! Even for just a quick stroll.
Directions: The neighbourhood is located between North Beach (where the Italian neighbourhood is) and downtown San Francisco which is the Financial District as well. The main entrance to San Francisco’s Chinatown with the pagoda roof gateway as seen on foto above, called the ‘Dragon Gate’ is along Bush Street and the main street on Chinatown is Grant Avenue.
One of my favourite fotos, took this inside the car while waiting for the red light to turn green.Grant Avenue, the main street in Chinatown.Streets have Chinese characters translation and it is always busy here.The American and Chinese flags fly side by side in San Francisco's Chinatown.All 'Made in China' products! Those lanterns are nice for the summer in the garden at night.Always SALE in Chinatown =) and folding wooden doors with Chinese bronze artwork, pretty.Chinese baked goods.More Chinatown scenes.All my fotos are here: San Francisco Chinatown, California, USA
Travel Period: March 2011
Destination: San Francisco (California), USA
