Chicago’s Chinatown district is located just south of downtown in the Armour Park area. It is a vibrant, colorful neighborhood with a rich history. Residents and visitors of Chicago who want to explore the shops, restaurants and sights of the neighborhood can book tours that provide historical, cultural and culinary information about the area.
Chinatown’s Chamber of Commerce promotes the history and culture of Chinese Americans in Chicago. One of its major initiatives is a tour program. The group offers a one-hour walking tour and a 30-minute bus tour. Tour guides provide a history of the city’s Chinese community and a primer on Chinese culture. All the major landmarks in the area are visited, such as the Nine Dragon Wall, murals, the zodiac sculptures of Chinatown Square and the commercial district on Wentworth Avenue. Reservations can be made online.
Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
2169B S. China Pl.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-326-5320
chicagochinatown.org
Chicago chef Rebecca Wheeler offers a culinary tour of Chinatown. The tour begins at a classic Chinese bakery. Wheeler leads a discussion on the area’s history as customers munch on barbecue pork buns and sip Hong Kong-style tea. Groups then have the opportunity to learn about the basic ingredients of Chinese kitchens with visits to two neighborhood markets. Other stops include a wok shop, a tea shop and a jewelry store. At these stops, guests learn about wok cooking techniques, cooking equipment and Chinese tea varieties. The tour begins to wind down with a stop for Szechuan don don followed up with Chinese desserts such as egg custard tarts. The final destination is a neighborhood candy shop. Wheeler also offers private tours.
Rebecca Wheeler Ethnic Market Tours
773-368-1356
[email protected]
rebeccawheeler.com
The Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute offers hour-long tours during the summer. The tour includes an introduction to Chinese culture and local Chinese American history. In addition to taking visitors to well-known landmarks, tour guides also lead a visit to the neighborhood’s St. Therese Catholic Church, where the mother of famed gangster Al Capone worshiped. A stop at a Buddhist temple and a visit to Wentworth Avenue businesses are also on the tour.
Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute
2145B S. China Pl., 2nd Flr.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-842-1988
chicagocci.com
For those who prefer to take their time seeing the sites of Chinatown but enjoy the assistance of a guide, MetroWalkz offers self-guided tour information. Purchase and download the MetroWalkz Chinatown guide from the MetroWalkz website to begin exploring the neighborhood. The sightseeing guide has a map and detailed information on all the major sights and landmarks in the neighborhood. Each stop is numbered, and the map includes detailed walking directions.
MetroWalkz.com
500 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 300
Chicago, IL 60611
metrowalkz.com
