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Chinese Food. Photo courtesy of avlxyz.
When visiting Boston, one neighborhood worth exploring is Chinatown. Located in downtown Boston, Chinatown is the only historically surviving Chinese populated area in New England today. While in the past it was home to the city’s garment hub and Red Light District, today you’ll find authentic Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants and markets as well as traditional architecture, historical fare and cultural experiences.
Boston is a very navigable city, and getting to Chinatown is simple. In fact, there are three subway stations located in or near Chinatown, including the South Station and Downtown Crossing stops on the Red Line, the Chinatown stop on the Orange Line and the Boylston stop on the Green Line.
Start your tour by taking in the iconic Chinatown Gate, located at the corner of Beach Street and Surface Road. The gate is designed to keep away evil with two foo lions on both sides of the structure. Nearby, Edward Wong Square was once the hub of community life in Chinatown. From there, you can visit the peaceful park with its rock gardens, fountains and outdoor recreation spaces. Here you’ll find many locals playing board games, exercising and meditating.
The main attraction — and a top Boston experience — is sampling delicious food for an inexpensive price. Possibly the most interesting space in the neighborhood is the grocery store, where you’ll find unrecognizable foods (which can be really fun to sample). Some other top culinary experiences in Boston’s Chinatown include King Fung Garden, a dilapidated venue serving cheap and delicious Asian dishes; Grand Chau Chow, which offers flavorful Cantonese seafood; and China Pearl, known for its unbeatable dim sum. For dessert, head to Eldo Cake House to sample fruit-focused Chinese cakes and milk teas.
Throughout the year, Boston’s Chinatown also hosts a number of cultural festivals. For example, in the summer you can attend the August Moon Festival, held in Chinatown to celebrate the harvest season. Food (mooncakes!), music, cultural entertainment, parades and activities are all part of the fun.
Travel Tip: Chinatown is a great place to purchase souvenirs when traveling in Boston, as it’s one of the cheapest neighborhood’s in the city and your dollar will stretch far.
