Chinatown is a small historic neighborhood in the Northwest quadrant of DC. Chinatown is located east of downtown Washington, DC between H and I Streets and 5th and 8th Streets, NW. It is served by the Gallery Place/Chinatown stop on Metro’s Red line. It is the home of several famous museums, including the National Portrait Gallery. The Friendship Arch, a traditional Chinese gate, prominently marks the neighborhood at H and 7th Streets.

Chinatown / Penn Quarter History

Chinatown was once home to thousands of Chinese immigrants. The area experienced a decline after the late 1960s race riots. Despite the subsequent decrease in its Chinese population, the Friendship Archway was erected in Chinatown in 1986 to celebrate the city’s relationship with Beijing and status as the District’s official Chinatown.

Chinatown / Penn Quarter Real Estate

Chinatown’s housing consists primarily of high-rise apartment and condominium buildings.

Chinatown / Penn Quarter Favorites

Visit one of Chinatown’s many Asian restaurants such as Momiji or Reren Lamen & Bar, or grab wood-fired pizza and an award-winning beer at Matchbox. Head to the Penn Quarter strip and try Rasika, one of the top ten restaurants in all of DC, or the Old Ebbitt Grill, a longtime DC favorite established in 1856. Take in the annual Chinese New Year parade and a game at the Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals and Wizards.

 

 

Want to know what it’s like to live in Chinatown / Penn Quarter? Let’s go on a neighborhood orientation tour!