Hidden Gems of Los Angeles: Chinatown in Focus

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.”

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.

546 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90012.  Since 1937, well-wishers have been tossing coins with their backs turned into the Wishing Well, hoping to have a hidden wish granted, that only one’s soul can see. Designed by Professor Liu Hong Kay from Los Angeles, the Wishing Well is modeled after the Sacred Seven Star Caverns Wishing Pool, a famous scenic site in Guangdong, China. Mountains surrounded by water have a strong reputation as home to “immortals” and by rendering them in miniature, Kay captured its essence as a sacred landscape.

943 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012. Hollywood film star and cultural icon Bruce Lee opened a martial arts school at 628 N College Street in Chinatown, and was a fixture there during the filming of the 1960s television series The Green Hornet. His statue, located near the pedestrian intersection of Sun Mun Way and Jung Jing Road in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, is the only statute of the martial artist in the United States.  Since its unveiling in 2013, it’s become a “must see” attraction for fans worldwide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.