Chinatown

San Francisco

Chinatown which includes street scenes
Chinatown
Chinatown showing a city, street scenes and signage
Chinatown showing street scenes
Chinatown featuring street scenes

San Francisco Chinatown is a colourful treat for visitors. Packed with authentic restaurants, exotic shops, ornate temples and buzzing food markets.

As one of the most densely populated and vibrant areas of the United States, this place hasn’t been without drama during its 160-year existence. It has witnessed turf wars, opium dens, bootleggers and secret clubs and societies. It also even had an unhealthy dose of bubonic plague. This colourful past has helped to shape the rich character of its contemporary culture making it one of San Francisco’s most popular districts to visit. In common with many other San Francisco districts, the Chinatown area was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and its resulting fires that destroyed large areas of the city. Today it’s a distinctive and striking area.

Begin your Chinatown experience at Chinatown Gate, located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. You can’t miss this entrance with its pagoda-topped design. The ceremonial entrance to the area is decorated with ornamental dragons and is guarded at either side by stone Fu dogs.

Come inside for an authentic experience. The markets sell live turtles and chickens and a host of other animals. Located down a back alley, known as Ross Alley, you’ll stumble across the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Your nose will guide you there. Inhale the distinctive delicious aromas as you approach. This is the only hand-made fortune cookie maker in San Francisco, which makes cookies of all varieties and sizes. You’re welcome to step inside to see the cookies being made and best of all, you can buy a bag of freshly-baked cookies to take away with you.

Not to be missed is the abundance of Chinese restaurants serving up a huge variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. There are dim sum restaurants and souvenir shops galore in the main tourist area but don’t just stick to the main streets. Head off down the labyrinth of back alleys where you’ll discover a different world with many a secluded gem secreted away waiting to be discovered.

The sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown are highly distinctive and will stay with you for a long time after you visit. It really should be on every visitor’s schedule. Chinatown is well within walking distance from the downtown area. Streetcars also service the area.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Chinatown

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

5 out of 5
600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
The price is RM1,595 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
RM1,595
RM2,080 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"overall amazing"

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Orchard Garden Hotel

Orchard Garden Hotel

4 out of 5
466 Bush St, San Francisco, CA
The price is RM548 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM548
RM655 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"The bed was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on at a hotel!"

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Orchard Garden Hotel
Grant Plaza Hotel

Grant Plaza Hotel

2 out of 5
465 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is RM375 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
RM375
RM442 total
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
Good location in the heart of Chinatown
"Good location, cozy rooms, the noise outside can be a nuisance, but the location makes up for it. the rooms are clean and the property is well kept and safe."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Grant Plaza Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is RM510 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
RM510
RM600 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,626 reviews)
"vfgfvf"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is RM555 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
RM555
RM827 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,659 reviews)
"Z"

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
Fully refundable
The price is RM409 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
RM409
RM465 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,027 reviews)
Fair enough
"Our family stayed overnight before taking an early morning flight. The hotel was a mile from SFO, clean, comfortable and very reasonably priced. We’d stay again for the convenience."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Chinatown

Union Square featuring a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(287 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4.5/5(37 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to TransAmerica Pyramid – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
North Beach showing a city and skyline

North Beach

4.5/5(129 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach
Default Image

Russian Hill

4/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco

Chinatown