Exploring Chinatown

Page curated by George Shi and Xiwen Liu

Exploring DC's Chinatown.

Editor's Notes:

Chinatown, built upon generations of Chinese immigrants, is always considered as one of the bases for the American Chinese community. With numerous Chinese cultural elements (such as Chinese characters, Chinese symbols, paintings, and buildings), Chinatown is a perfect place to dive deep into Chinese culture and get a taste of Chinese food. However, in another way, Chinatown reflects Chinese immigration, and also as a witness towards the city's movement. In Washington DC, Chinatown witnesses to the change and expansion of the city. Throughout the 20th century, with the establishment of the Capital One Arena and the construction of government buildings made the Chinese population migrate out of DC. Moreover, in recent years, with increasing living expenses in DC, some of the remaining Chinese population has moved to places like Rockville, MD, and Fairfax, VA. With the moving of the population, the business in Chinatown is also diminished. Nowadays, with only a few Asian-related businesses (such as restaurants, and grocery stores) still open, Chinatown is not “China” anymore, and has lost its "shine." However, exploring this area still is meaningful. With numerous Chinese cultural elements, this neighborhood still has some of the taste of China. Following are our explorations in Chinatown. (George Shi)

Chinatown Gate

Photo by Alice Baughman

Wah Luck House

Also designed by Alfred H. Liu in the 80s, this affordable housing complex was meant for Chinese American families dealing with the displacement of their neighborhood after the construction of the new convention center.

Photo by Alice Baughman

A Grocery, Herbs, and Spice Shop

Photo by Alice Baughman

We had a delicious group lunch at Chinatown Garden, and then we wanted to explore what remains of D.C.'s Chinatown - a neighborhood part of the National Register of Historic Places. The Chinatown area has grown smaller in recent decades due to high property prices, among other reasons. Today, circling a couple of blocks, we noticed that the Chinese grocery stores, restaurants, and community centers are somewhat few and far between (mixed with Walgreens, Chopt, and other chain stores and restaurants). Other blocks bore the signs of urban decline, with vacant and abandoned properties, and interesting signage (with politically charged language relating to immigration and prison policy). However, it was hopeful to note that some of the abandoned or empty storefronts are temporarily serving as art display areas! (Alice Baughman)

The Playful Asian American Collaboration that has evolved into Chinatown

Chinatown is by far one of D.C famed attractions and rightfully so. While the experience isn't quite like waltzing into an authentic Chinese street, its still a must see D.C experience. On the streets right by the National Mall the creativity and culture of America and China is on display. The atmosphere almost alludes to the future as signs displaying multiple languages become the norm in the neighborhood. (Kai Okai-Brown)

Photos by: Kai Okai-Brown, Jan 17 2022 in Chinatown.

D.C. Chinatown - Cultural Appropriation?

I found another treat in Chinatown in the way American and Chinese culture have perceived and interact with one another. I was pleasantly surprised to find Bruce Lee references in an extremely formal and traditional Chinese establishment. When consuming American culture I'd almost forgotten that while it is its own entity it's action are largely in response to other cultures. The mingling of cultures makes for an extremely charming global environment that I hope to see more of. (Kai Okai-Brown)

While there were a handful of authentically Chinese restaurants and groceries in Chinatown, I was somewhat disturbed to witness the use of Hanzi (Chinese characters) on international corporations such as Walgreens and Nandos, as this form suggests the commodification of aesthetic diversity. (Evan Wollerton)

Photos By: Kai Okai-Brown on Jan 17. 2022 in China Town

From my perspective, Chinatown assimilates small cities in China. Especially the grocery stores that sell not only food but also some decorative items. From those decorative items (like those in the pictures below), I could see many traits that occur in China when I was a child or something my hometown, a remote county would have today. At the same time, Chinatown also shows many modern traits. There's an interesting blend of the two.

I'm very into my identity as Chinese. I could feel how this place was built years ago by Chinese communities in America that tried to build a place that feel like home. At the same time, D.C. in some way is like Beijing. Both cities are culturally prosperous with their own countries' history and art. And the symmetric layout of the city by careful plan also makes them similar.

(Xiwen Liu)

Photos taken by Jill Preston

Follow my Chinatown experience!

(Jillian Preston)

Noticing the Bricks

While walking the block, I looked down and noticed every couple feet or so there was a square brick with an image on it. We quickly realized the images were of the Chinese Zodiac symbols. I captured six of what I assume were 12 bricks with these images along the course of about one block. A couple blocks down, there were clusters of all 12 Zodiac symbols in front of 3 or 4 consecutive buildings. I thought this was a really interesting piece of art and decoration that added to the area if you looked down to notice it. (Grace Lyons)

Chinatown:

a decades of change

As I mentioned in the introduction, Chinatown documented the change and expand of the city. Moreover, I believe the Chinatown documented the change of the Chinese immigrants and their generations' gap. I want to especially address the Chinese Community Church. I have luck enough to talk with several Chinese immigrants and their offspring. It is interesting to see how people switched from Buddhism to Christian. The Chinese Community Church perfectly shows the transition that the Chinese immigrants are experiencing. Moreover, as I mentioned in the lunch, the old generation of immigrants are largely Republican and conservative. However, the new generation leans Democratic and more progressive. These conflicts are very interesting and somehow also reflect at the buildings too. (George Shi)

The Chinatown Metro Station:

A Bustling Center of Washingtonian Life

Near and around the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro Station, you'll find a wealth of vibrant activity from Washington residents and commuters. Ranging from talented buskers to workers on their smoke break, you'll happen upon gems you didn't know existed just by passing through. (Sophia Moustaid)

I wonder why the young boys were busking outside of the Capital One Arena. Given the text and content of what was being rapped, I cannot imagine that such a young child would have a command over the profanity that he was singing or knew what it meant. This seems to be a reflection of what pop culture values in its music. We want the sensational, the bombastic, stuff with flair and shock value! (Justin Oei)

A video two talented young boys rapping with an older man dancing in front of Capital Arena, captured a weekday night.

Sharing food on a lazy Susan makes dining a social & communal act

Laura and JaneAnne contemplate sauce!

Around the corner thriving, surviving Chinatown turns to urban dispair with dead bird on the stair

But it is a beautiful and resilient part of town; a testament to the long presence of Chinese ingenuity and community in our midst

Editors' note: For Chinese food, it is meant to be shared in big portions. This is food culture that inherited down and shaped Chinese's family perception. (You can think of Italian) George Shi

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