China Town in Washington DC

China Town in Washington DC is a small, historic neighborhood east of downtown, along H and I Streets between 5th and 8th Streets, Northwest. China Town Washington DC includes both Chinese and other Asian restaurants and small businesses. Other than the Chinese New Year Celebration, it is known for locations such as the Friendship Arch, the Verizon Center, and the Old Patent Office Building. DC Chinatown was originally populated by German immigrants, proof of this being the Washington branch of the Goethe-Institut. Meanwhile, Washington's original Chinatown was along Pennsylvania Avenue. However, development of the Federal Triangle government office complex in that area forced Chinese immigrants to move out and into the current location.

After 1968, China Town started to flag, with many residents leaving for suburban areas. In fact, when the Washington Metro station serving the neighborhood was founded in 1976, it was named simply Gallery Place, making no mention whatsoever to Chinatown. Then nothing much happened for about ten years, when the aforementioned Friendship Archway designed by Alfred H. Liu was inaugurated. It was built to commemorate the friendship between Washington and its sister city Beijing, and also in hopes that it would the underline the Chinese identity of the neighborhood.

However, in 2006, Chinatown experienced a $200 million renovation, turning the area into a hotbed of nightlife, shopping and entertainment, featuring luxury restaurants, a state-of-the-art movie theater and several new stores. Chinatown is now home to traditionally Chinese businesses, as well as internationally recognized chains, all with signs both in English and Chinese, giving the place an aura of communion and globalization at the same time. In general, Chinatown in DC is indeed a place of meeting for different cultures as well as generations, and this coming-together will hopefully be always symbolized by the iconic archway.