Chinatown

Chinatown is a neighborhood or district in a city with a substantial population of Chinese immigrants and a cultural footprint centered on Chinese language, cuisine, and commerce. Chinatowns typically host a dense mix of storefronts, markets, temples, and eateries, and they often serve as social and economic hubs for local Chinese communities as well as gateways for visitors seeking Chinese culture.

Chinatown districts in Western cities began forming in the 19th century, as Chinese migrants came to work, mine, and build railroads. They faced legal discrimination and segregation, which shaped the development and boundaries of early settlements. Over time, communities established mutual aid associations, merchant associations, and neighborhood organizations to support residents, preserve languages, and negotiate with city authorities. Immigration waves after the mid-20th century diversified populations and sustained growth of these districts.

Economic life centers on small, family-run businesses—restaurants, grocers, herbal medicine shops, laundries, and markets. Cultural life is marked by Chinese-language media, temples, and celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, mid-autumn festivals, and public parades. Language use varies by city and generation; Cantonese is common in many Chinatowns, while Mandarin and other Chinese languages have grown.

Chinatowns often feature distinctive street fronts, archways (paifang), lanterns, and temples. They usually occupy a central or historic district near downtowns, waterfronts, or transit corridors, and they may be protected by preservation ordinances or subject to redevelopment pressures.

Today, some Chinatowns face gentrification, rising rents, and demographic shifts, while others are expanding to include broader Asian-cultural elements. They continue to function as cultural preserves and economic engines, while also adapting to changing urban and immigration patterns. Notable examples include San Francisco's Chinatown (one of the oldest in North America), Manhattan's Chinatown in New York City, and Chinatowns in Los Angeles and Vancouver.