Chinese culture has managed to penetrate almost every corner of the world. They are very welcome and were even able to establish Chinese communities in many major cities around the world. The communities they have built are often represented in the local Chinatown. San Francisco’s Chinatown is by far the largest and oldest located outside of Asia, established in the 1850s.
It is one of the main tourist attractions in the area, as it presents a fascinating combination of shopping opportunities, gastronomy and culture. It is accessible as anyone can easily explore the district on foot, by bus or by cable car. Basically, there is a large traditional front door that is located at the south entrance, which welcomes people to the Chinatown of San Francisco. At certain times each year, the streets of the Chinatown community are filled with many festivities, especially during the Chinese New Year. It is actually the highlight of the entire celebration of Chinese culture that is colorful and truly a sight to look forward to.
One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. This factory has been in operation since 1962. When you get here, you will be able to see how the cookies are processed and you will even have the opportunity to taste the products. Perhaps your favorite thing to do when in San Francisco’s Chinatown is to dine at one of the many cafes or restaurants. Chinese cuisine is popular all over the world, so you should have some of the many varieties of Chinese dishes available. Also, you can find other restaurants in the area besides the Chinese ones. There are also restaurants like Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, Italian and Thai. There are also American outlets for hamburgers, etc.
Shopping is definitely tremendous fun on these streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The place is also full of bustling fish markets and Chinese food shops. There are stores where you can buy ingredients for Chinese dishes, as well as stores that sell kitchen utensils and equipment for preparing such meals, including woks, bamboo steamers, and Chinese blades. Of course, Chinese food is never without chopsticks. You can buy them to make your experience authentic. Additionally, for anyone planning their own Chinese New Year celebration, traditional Chinese party decorations are available.
Other stores in the area include candy stores, electronics and video game stores, as well as stores selling modern and traditional Chinese clothing. Also, Chinese movies are very popular and are available in DVD stores for you to rent or buy.
Overall, you will find a great atmosphere in Chinatown San Francisco. A friendly community that offers almost everything to interest each and every member of the family. Where else can you find a place like this? If you plan to visit a Chinatown in the world, this is the one worth visiting.