Chinatown, DC

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 center neighborhood with a variety of Asian shops and restaurants. Visit the nearby galleries, museums and entertainment centers.

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 theaters. Chinatown grew to prominence in the 1930s when Chinese immigrants opened businesses and decorated the neighborhood’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 emphasize 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 Center. 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 theater 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 Center.

Check the websites of the galleries, museums and theaters for admission fees, opening times and schedule of events.

Stay near popular Chinatown attractions

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

8.0/5 (59 reviews)
After visiting Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Washington. Discover the area's acclaimed theater scene and shops.
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Things to do

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Chinatown Hotel Deals

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown

3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW Washington DC
$114 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Jul 26 to Jul 27
$132 total
Jul 26 - Jul 27
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,013 reviews)
"When I arrived they were sold out, and they said they had reserved rooms for people who had booked through third parties (glad I went through Expedia!) but they transferred me from a double to a bunk bed! 400 bucks for a bunk bed?! I don't think so. (It was still private, but very awkward.) I asked ..."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2026

Motto by Hilton Washington DC Downtown
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC
$106 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$123 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5,206 reviews)
"Nice enough hotel, but there is a rooftop deck at a hotel across the street that blasts music until 12:30am several days of the week. The front desk said that there's nothing they can do about it. If you value a quiet nights sleep, look elsewhere."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW Washington DC
$179 nightly
The price is $203 total per night from Jun 28 to Jun 29
$203 total
Jun 28 - Jun 29
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,460 reviews)
"Hotel was in a very good location. Parking is an issue, but there are garages very close by and parking on the street if needed. Room was clean but a bug downer was that the AC would not go below 68 and the room was adequately cool. We told the front desk, they sent up a maintenance guy and he said ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Omni Shoreham Hotel

Omni Shoreham Hotel

4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw Washington DC
$165 nightly
The price is $192 total per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
$192 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,375 reviews)
"What a fun stay with my 3 children and au pair! We swam in the pool, ordered room service, got breakfast at the cafe and took pictures with the Fourth of July display. The staff was great, checkout and check in were so easy. The only complaint would be the size and efficiency of the elevator-not ..."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2026

Omni Shoreham Hotel
Crowne Plaza College Park - Washington DC by IHG

Crowne Plaza College Park - Washington DC by IHG

3.5 out of 5
6400 Ivy Lane Greenbelt MD
$87 nightly
The price is $98 total per night from Jul 26 to Jul 27
$98 total
Jul 26 - Jul 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Greenbelt. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,645 reviews)
"No complaints. It was a pleasant stay."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Crowne Plaza College Park - Washington DC by IHG
Hotel Lombardy

Hotel Lombardy

4 out of 5
2019 Pennsylvania Ave Nw Washington DC
$125 nightly
The price is $145 total per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
$145 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,661 reviews)
"Staff were friendly and helpful!"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Hotel Lombardy
See all 5,969 properties in Chinatown
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 and neighborhoods 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 Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of Women in the Arts, 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 Washington Monument, 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 known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Georgetown Park and Washington Harbour while you're in town.

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

Old Town Alexandria

If you're spending time in Old Town Alexandria, you might enjoy attractions like Athenaeum and Alexandria City Hall. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping 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, DC

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