Rich with history, tradition and culture, Boston’s Chinatown is a fantastic place to experience the city’s multicultural roots. Second only to New York and San Francisco, it’s one of the USA’s biggest Chinatown districts. From eating dumplings to stocking up on souvenirs, there’s plenty to do in Chinatown.
Sampling Chinese food is a rite of passage, with the streets lined with everything from upscale restaurants to colourful street stalls. Menus feature an eclectic mix of Chinese favourites, exotic creations and plenty of surprises. For those wanting to stay in the heart of the action, Chinatown is peppered with accommodation options for every budget.
Chinatown is located on the fringe of the city centre core, which makes it an easy walk to the downtown shopping and financial districts. The main access is via Chinatown’s grand opening gate, which is guarded by a pair of fierce foo lions. The district is centred on Beach Street and is bordered by the Leather District and Bay Village. Both are within walking distance.
While today Chinatown is dominated by Asian Americans, it wasn’t always this way. When Boston was initially settled, the area was home to Anglo-Bostonians. Though, desirability quickly deteriorated following railway developments. This change saw a string of Syrian, Jewish, Irish and Italian immigrants flock to the area, attracted by the lower living costs. The Chinese were the last to arrive and eventually made the neighbourhood their own.