The Chinatown Gate, also known as the Dragon Gate, stands at the corner of Grant Avenue and Bush Street in San Francisco, California. It is an ornate, traditional Chinese gate and marks the entrance to what is described as the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.
What to expect
The gate is a monument rather than a building you go inside, so a visit is usually a matter of walking up to it, looking at its decoration and taking a photograph. It works well as a starting point for an unhurried walk into the neighbourhood, which is easy to reach on foot from much of the city centre.
Around the gate
- Grant Avenue, the street that runs through the district, is lined with shops, restaurants and businesses.
- The surrounding streets give a sense of the neighbourhood's scale and its long-established community.
- Because the gate sits at the entrance, it is a natural place to orient yourself before exploring further.
If you are planning a day in San Francisco, the gate pairs easily with a stroll through the district and a meal along the way. Allow a short visit for the gate itself, and more time if you want to explore the streets beyond it.