The best things to do in Chinatown, Chicago

Serving as the neighborhood's hub, Chinatown Square features a two-level mall housing a variety of local businesses, including restaurants, teahouses, beauty shops and candy vendors. The design of the area was inspired by Chinese Imperial Court and features statues representing each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which were created by artists in Xiamen, China. Stop by the square in the summer and you may catch an impromptu concert or dance performance.

Time Out tip: The square is also home to many of the best Chinatown restaurants, so it's easy to spend half a day eating and shopping.

Founded to bring Chinese language and culture programs to local libraries and schools, this organization is best known for offering tours of Chinatown's attractions and restaurants. Head to the Cultural Institute's website to learn more about its offerings, including public and private tours, as well as dumpling-making dinners and Tai Chi classes.

Originally a railroad yard, Ping Tom Memorial Park—one of the best parks in the city—is named for the Chinatown resident who was the leading force behind the creation of this community space. Thanks to its location directly next to the Chicago River, the park is a popular spot for kayaking. One of the most recent additions to the park is a state of the art fieldhouse, which houses a gymnasium, fitness center and an indoor pool.

Time Out tip: The park hosts a Dragon Boat Race for Literacy every summer, which sees teams paddling dragon boats down the river to raise money for local schools and literacy organizations.

Not far from the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station, this decorative wall sits on the edge of a parking lot, welcoming commuters to the neighborhood. A replica of a similar piece of artwork in Beijing, the Nine Dragon Wall celebrates the mythical creature that is emblematic of China's spirit, as well as the number nine, which often symbolizes longevity. While the original Nine Dragon Wall was built by Chinese emperors, this version was constructed by the local chamber of commerce and is a popular spot to snap photos.

Built in 1975 and renovated in the years since, Chinatown’s landmark gateway on Wentworth Avenue welcomes visitors to the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood. Snap a photo under the four Chinese characters, which translate as “the world belongs to the commonwealth.” The design was inspired by a gate that architect Peter Fung found in Beijing.

As the first piece of traditional Chinese architecture to be built in the area, the Pui Tak Center is a cornerstone of Chinatown's community and one of the most visually striking structures in the area. A Western interpretation of traditional Chinese architecture, the Pui Tak Center features gabled towers and decorative terra cotta accents. The building was restored in 2010 after being purchased by the Chinese Christian Union Church, which offers ESL classes and immigration services to area residents.

Housed near the heart of Chinatown, the Chinese American Museum of Chicago hosts a small collection of exhibits that allows visitors to learn more about Chinese culture. The museum's permanent exhibit explores the journey taken by Chinese immigrants traveling to the Midwest, including stories submitted by individuals currently residing in Chicago's Chinatown.

There are countless restaurants in the neighborhood for a great meal but until the opening of Nine Bar in 2022, you couldn’t really get a craft cocktail anywhere. Tucked away behind Moon Palace Express, this dim and moody lounge has finally given Chinatown the drinking destination it deserves. The menu leans on Asian-inspired concoctions, such as a Mai Tai made with almond cookie orgeat syrup, while the kitchen delivers fun bites like wok-fried wings tossed in General Tso’s sauce.

Unleash your inner superstar and show off those vocal cords at a karaoke bar. Chinatown is home to some of the best in the city, including Sakura Karaoke Lounge, where you can sing your way through a catalog of more than 100,000 tunes. Got stage fright? No worries—private rooms for up to 25 people are also available.

This South Side Chicago Public Library branch is unlike any other in the city system. The 16,000-square-foot interior is split across two floors and features a feng shui-influenced design, as well as amazing views of the Chicago skyline. It also includes Chinese language materials and a mural by CJ Hungerman entitled “Universal Transverse Immigration Proclamation,” an ode to the neighborhood’s history and character.

Located a couple of blocks west of Chinatown proper, this massive one stop shop is stocked with all the Asian goods you could ever need and well worth the slight detour. Grab some fresh seafood, assorted snacks or frozen dumplings to take home, then refuel with a quick bite at the food court. You can chow on dim sum, egg custard tarts, barbecue pork and much more.

Time Out tip: If you've got time to spare, sit down to sushi at 312 Fish Market, hot pot at Qiao Lin Hotpot or prime cuts of steak at Holu.

The nonprofit Heritage Museum of Asian Art showcases a variety of different Asian artforms, with a collection assembled by art dealer Jeffrey Moy. Inside the Chinatown institution, visitors will find jade and pottery that dates back to the Neolithic period, porcelain, snuff bottles, textiles and more. There are also exhibitions devoted to ojime beads (part of a small toggled cord that was attached to kimonos) and Chinese puzzle balls, which date back to the 1700s.

Get to Chinatown in style by taking a ride on the Chicago Water Taxi. The boat service transports passengers between popular locations like Michigan Avenue, the Ogilvie Transportation Center and Ping Tom Memorial Park. You’ll be able to gawk at architectural wonders and the city's top attractions while leisurely going up and down the river.

Time Out tip: Water taxi season runs from March to November.

On a nice day, you'll find a group of older men playing mahjong in this small park, located directly to the south of Chinatown. The area is named for Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-Sen, who helped overthrow the country's ruling dynasty and acted as China's first provisional president. Visitors will discover a bust of Yat-Sen located near the center of the park.

When the weather's nice, you'll find crowds of people lining up in Chinatown Square to order from Joy Yee's walk-up window. While the restaurant's menu offers Pan-Asian dishes, the main draw is the pastel-colored bubble tea. Joy Yee claims to have introduced the drink to Chicagoans, and customers can order theirs with a variety of fruits, teas and toppings.

This popular candy shop has a bouncy pop soundtrack for sweet tooths perusing its rows of Lucite bins, where cute packaging reigns supreme. Discover a world of Asian delights, from Japanese rice cakes to an assortment of Kit Kats. There are also savory goods like dried seafood snacks, classic wasabi peas and more priced by the half pound, and just about every flavor of Pocky and Lay’s you can imagine. Not cheap, but surely worth the experience.

For those interested in traditional herbal remedies, this bulk-goods store in Chinatown Square offers everything you’re looking for. Cure what ails you with a host of herbal teas and natural medicines. There are also dried goods ranging from scallops to mushrooms.

At the intersection of Archer Avenue, Princeton Avenue and Cermak Road sits a memorial dedicated to all Chinese-American veterans who have served in the armed forces. It was constructed in 2017 by the Chinatown American Legion Post 1003.