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 & I

Sixth & I is just one of the places to see in Washington, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed theatre scene in this walkable area.
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Things to do

Washington: Small-Group City Unveiled eCruiser Tour

Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour

฿1,312
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour
Tour group poses in front of White House

Washington, D.C. Day Trip from New York

฿4,488
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Washington, D.C. Day Trip from New York
Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

฿1,305
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour
Capitol Hill Tour with US Capitol & Library of Congress Admission

U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress Tour with Rotunda & Crypts

฿2,142
per adult
U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress Tour with Rotunda & Crypts
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

฿1,004
per adult
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.
The Hard Rock Cafe entrance in Washington DC

Dining at Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC

฿1,339
per traveller
Dining at Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC
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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 ฿3,553 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
฿3,553
฿4,120 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
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! (2,020 reviews)
"Overall a great experience. Did not understand that this was a micro hotel, so very small but nice room for a single person. Really missed not having a mini fridge."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 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 ฿3,662 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
฿3,662
฿4,246 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
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 ...
Washington Plaza Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington DC

Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw Washington DC
Fully refundable
The price is ฿4,542 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
฿4,542
฿6,435 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,399 reviews)
"The staff was wonderful, always helpful, holding doors for me because I am disabled. Martin, Charlotte, Margina are some of the names that I remember who always went above and beyond. We will definitely be coming back."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2026

Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington DC
Moxy Washington DC Downtown

Moxy Washington DC Downtown

3 out of 5
1011 K Street NW Washington DC
The price is ฿4,051 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
฿4,051
฿4,698 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Moxy Washington DC Downtown
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel

3.5 out of 5
900 S Orme St Arlington VA
The price is ฿3,662 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
฿3,662
฿4,183 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Arlington. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very good! (3,398 reviews)
"Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is a nice, clean, well-maintained place. It's conveniently located 5 minutes drive from DCA airport and Washington, DC downtown. Beds and pillows were comfortable, breakfast bar offered quite a few options and Starbucks coffee variety. The only annoying thing was AC in ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2026

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
Park Hyatt Washington

Park Hyatt Washington

5 out of 5
1201 24th Street, NW Washington DC
The price is ฿10,548 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
฿10,548
฿12,230 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
Park Hyatt Washington
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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. Learn more about Chinatown
Learn more about Chinatown
A historic building with a clock tower, a busy intersection, and a person riding a scooter.

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 Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

A statue in a park with a paved walkway and benches.

Northwest

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

A row of brick buildings with storefronts, a crosswalk, and a traffic light.

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 Georgetown Park or Washington Harbour.

A brick building with a red door and a sign that reads "Old Fashioned Pop's Dream Company."

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