Los Angele’s Chinatown hardly measures up to its counterpart in San Francisco, but nonetheless it remains a vital cultural centre for the Chinese community.

If Chinatown seems small today, back in 1850, the only Chinese residents were two male servants. Within twenty years, the populations had multiplied to a whopping 72 people. Housing restrictions and anti-Chinese hostilities in 1870s resulted in the tiny community being relegated to one of downtown’s most run-down areas. Thus began old Chinatown.

Present-day Chinatown is home to around 15,000 residents and serves as the cultural centre for more than 400,000 Chinese Americans from the Greater Los Angeles area, as well as recent Chinese immigrants from Southeast Asia. The main thoroughfare is North Broadway, where you will find embellished roofs, ornamental facades, fabulous restaurants, and herbalists.