Where is the Chinatown Friendship Archway in Washington D.C.? Distinctly Chinese Places

Washington D.C.'s Chinatown was originally located near Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1931, the government seized the land to build the Federal Triangle and other federal projects, forcing the community to scatter. A new Chinatown emerged along H Street NW between 5th and 7th Streets in the District of Columbia despite resistance from some local businesses and landowners.

The Friendship Archway was brought to life by Alfred Liu, an architect and longtime champion of Chinatown. Liu also designed Wah Luck House, an apartment building providing housing for elderly residents. Born in Taiwan, Liu moved to the United States as a teenager and became deeply involved in advocating for Chinatown’s growth and cultural presence as Chairman of the Chinatown Development Corporation. His connection to the community is reflected in every detail of the archway’s design.

A local Washington, D.C. site, Greater Greater Washington, chronicles the building and refurbishing of the Friendship Archway over the years in two articles titled, Chinatowns Friendship Archway and The Story of how DC's Friendship Archway in Chinatown Came to Be.

People standing by the road waiting for the Annual Chinese Lunear New Year Parade Photo by N. Greene

Today, the neighborhood along H Street NW between 5th and 7th Streets is on the National Register of Historic Places. The archway symbolizes both historic Chinatown and the friendship between Washington, D.C., and Beijing, China. It is one of the largest traditional Chinese-style archways outside China with classic Ming-Qing dynasty design elements. Dragons on the archway represent the five-clawed symbol of imperial authority. The phoenixes represent harmony and virtue. Adorn on the structure are clouds, waves, and mountains that reflect cosmic balance.

2026 Chinese New Year Parade

Crowds filled the streets of Washington D.C. Chinatown and downtown enjoying traditional music and Chinese culture marking the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac represents strength, freedom, and vitality. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be energetic, intelligent, and independent, with a natural drive to explore and take action. The horse symbolizes speed and perseverance, encouraging ambition and a love of adventure.

Traditionally, the Year of the Horse is associated with movement, progress, and the pursuit of goals, making it a time for bold decisions, new opportunities, and embracing change. Street Photography by Gavin Bragdon.

Over the years, Chinatown has faced challenges maintaining a uniquely Chinese influence. Many Chinese-inspired restaurants and stores have come and gone. Here are a few notable Chinese oriented places in Chinatown, Washington D.C.:

Restaurants

• China Boy Rice Noodle
  815 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• China Express
  746 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Chinatown Garden
  618 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Dumpling District
  625 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Joy Luck House
  748 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Reren Lamen & Bar
  817 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Tony Cheng
  619 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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• Wasai & Gong Cha
  716 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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Market / Specialty Store

• Da Hsin Trading Company
  811 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
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Washington D.C. Chinese Friendship Archway in Washington D.C. Traffic cleared for the Annual Lunear New Year Parade, Photo by N. Greene

Friendship Archways Around the United States

Across the United States, many cities feature beautiful Chinese ceremonial archways, or paifang, traditional gateways marking temples, neighborhoods, and historical sites. Some of the most notable ones include:

San Francisco, California

Dragon Gate

Built: 1970

Address: Grant Ave & Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108

The most famous Chinatown gate in the U.S., featuring a green-tiled roof, stone guardian lions, and calligraphy by a Chinese scholar.

Los Angeles, California

Chinatown Central Plaza Gateway

Built: 1938

Address: 943–951 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

This Chinatown features red columns, upturned rooflines, and guardian lions marking the entrance to New Chinatown.

New York City, New York

Manhattan Chinatown Archway

Built: 2009

Address: Canal St & Bowery, New York, NY 10013

Gifted by Beijing, this structure symbolizes cultural exchange. Other archways can be seen in Flushing and Sunset Park, New York.

Chicago, Illinois

Chinatown Gate

Built: 1975

Address: 2206 S Wentworth Ave (at Cermak Rd), Chicago, IL 60616

This archway features a green-tiled roof and traditional inscriptions, welcoming visitors to Chicago’s historic Chinatown.

Seattle, Washington

Chinatown–International District Gate

Built: 2008

Address: S King St & 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

This archway features calligraphy and traditional roofline details, honoring the Asian American community.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Chinatown Gateway Plaza Arch

Built: 2009

Address: N King St & River St, Honolulu, HI 96817

As a reflection of Hawaii’s long-standing Chinese immigrant history, this archway is inspired by one of the earliest Chinese immigrant neighborhoods in the United States.

Boston, Massachusetts

Chinatown Gate

Built: 1982

Address: Beach St & Surface Rd, Boston, MA 02111

The archway is guarded by stone lions celebrating Boston’s Chinese-American community.

Chinese Museum in Washington D.C.

Located the neighborhood of Washngton D.C. Dupont Circle, the privately funded Chinese American Museum preserves and shares Chinese-American history.

Address: 1218 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States

Free Admission, Open, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM