As we embark on the Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake, which is believed to foster growth, resilience, and self-transformation, FilmLA wanted to share a little history and showcase some of Chinatown’s hidden gems.
Downtown Los Angeles' Chinatown neighborhood is not the first neighborhood to bear that name. Old Chinatown, located at the site of Union Station, had a long and at times, deeply tragic history. Corruption, vice and decline culminated in land transfer to developers and near total displacement of area businesses and residents. When with City support Southern Pacific and other railroad companies acquired all land east of Alameda Street, nearly all of the then-existing structures were demolished. Several remaining buildings were razed in the 1950’s to make room for parking lots and on-ramps for the 101 Freeway.
This historical photograph represents where Union Station now stands, decades prior to the creation of New Chinatown in 1938.
Designed with commerce, cultural appreciation and tourism in mind, the New Chinatown neighborhood has unsurprisingly proven very attractive to the film industry. Over the years numerous feature films, television shows and commercials have captured scenes within the community. The neighborhood's filmography includes Hollywood action dramas like Dark Man, Hard to Kill, and Lethal Weapon 4, plus comedies including Freaky Friday, High School High, Rush Hour and Surf Ninjas.
Below you will find an annotated gallery of places to explore in Chinatown -- especially if you missed this year's Lunar Festival and Golden Dragon Parade.
West Gate
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
952 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The oldest of the four gates in the plaza, the West Gate was the stage for the 1938 parade and grand opening of New Chinatown. On top of the gate is a plaque with a four-character motto by the Honorable T.K. Chang, the Chinese Consul of 1938, translated as “Cooperate to Achieve."
CHUNG KING ROAD
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
920-970 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Chung King Road is a pedestrian street in Chinatown's northeast corner. With living quarters above its storefronts and well-worn sidewalks, the area is reminiscent of a 1950’s movie set, and centered on Chinese specialty shops and art importers. In the late 1990s, some unused storefronts were converted into art galleries, blending cultures to support a thriving contemporary art scene and nightlife in Downtown Los Angeles.
Central Plaza - Wishing Well
CENTRAL PLAZA - Mei Ling Way
China's important role as a U.S. government ally in the Pacific war against Japan led Congress to repeal the Chinese Exclusion laws in 1943, following a goodwill tour by Soong Mei-ling, the wife of China’s leader Chiang Kei-shek. Inside Central Plaza, Mei Ling Way is the street named in her honor.
The rooflines for many of the buildings in Chinatown have animals and fishes on them -- traditional talismans for protection. The word for “fish” is a homonym for the word “wealth” in Chinese, which is a good omen for a business! Doorways and windows reflect classical Chinese design elements. During festive occasions like Lunar New Year, stages and booths are set up and lion dancers snake through the crowds of visitors to the sound of music and firecrackers.
CENTRAL PLAZA - BRUCE LEE STATUE
Photo Credit: Cindy Matta
EAST GATE
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
947 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012. East of Central Plaza stands the statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, founding father of the Republic of China, erected in 1964. Dr. Sen led the overthrow of the Manchu or Ching Dynasty Emperors in 1911. His political ideals are summarized in a set of doctrines called “The Three Principles of the People” which are nationalism, democracy and welfarism, created to defend the Chinese people against Western Imperialism. Ceremonies are held in front of the statue on the anniversaries of the Republic of China’s beginning on October 10, 1911, as well as Dr. Sun’s birth and death.
Thien Hau Temple
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
750 - 756 Yale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The Thien Hau Temple was originally an Italian Baptist church. The Chinese-Vietnamese Camau Association purchased and renovated the structure in 2005. The temple honors Tin Hau, Cantonese for the Empress of Heaven (天后 Tiān Hòu,) who at age 27 fell into a spiritual trance and rescued her typhoon-stricken family members from certain death at sea. She then ascended to take a place among the immortals to watch over all fishermen and maritime voyagers. Not only is she popular in Hong Kong, but one of the most worshipped goddesses in the world with more than a few hundred million followers.
Chinese Historical Society
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
415 Bernard Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.This one-story Queen Anne style cottage was designed by Philip Fritz, a carpenter for the Bridges and Building Department of the Southern Pacific Railroad back in 1892. Today, it houses artifacts and research materials relating to local and national Chinese and American history. The Historical Society is open to the public every Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and at other times by appointment.
The Garnier Building
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
419 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Built in 1890, the Garnier Building served the growing Chinese American community in Los Angeles and became the political center of Chinatown. Today, it’s the last standing building of Historic Chinatown and is now home to the Chinese American Museum (CAM), a symbol for the Chinese who started their legacy in Los Angeles. The 7,200 sq. ft. museum embodies both a cultural and physical link to the past while connecting it to the city’s multicultural future.
Ord and Yale Street Park
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
524 Ord Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This half-acre hillside pocket-park uses a series of staircases and terraces to create an open outdoor space for the residents in this densely populated area. It’s maintained by the Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department and can be reserved for filming through FilmLA.
Alpine Recreation Center
Photo Credit: City of Los Angeles
817 Yale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The Alpine Recreation Center, operated by the Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department, provides athletic and arts programs for people of all ages. Local residents can be seen starting their days doing Tai Chi at the park. The Center is also home court for the Alpine Striders, the Los Angeles Chinatown youth basketball team that competes against teams from other Chinatown communities as far away as Boston. This park can be reserved for filming through FilmLA.
One Comment on “Hidden Gems of Los Angeles: Chinatown in Focus”
Photo of CHUNG KING ROAD is actually Gin Ling Way inside Central Plaza looking at West Gate