Chinatown Central Plaza

Chinatown Central Plaza is a public square at 943 N Broadway in Los Angeles, surrounded by shops selling items such as tea and pineapple cakes. Its ornate architecture and Bruce Lee memorial make a stroll here more than a shopping stop, and weekends can bring karaoke, food vendors and a livelier scene. The plaza dates to 1938, when it became a new center for Los Angeles’s Chinese-American community after the original Chinatown was displaced by Union Station construction. Some storefronts are closed, so plan to explore the open shops and nearby sights.

A new center for Chinatown

Chinatown Central Plaza was dedicated in 1938, after construction of Union Station displaced Los Angeles’s original Chinatown. The square became a new gathering point for the Chinese-American community. Its history gives the plaza a particular place in the city’s Chinatown story, beyond its shops and photo spots.

Ornate buildings frame the square. A Bruce Lee memorial is among the details to look for as you walk around. The plaza has also appeared in the film Chinatown, a detail that may interest fans of classic cinema.

Shops and weekend activity

Browse the open shops for goods such as tea, pineapple cakes and souvenirs. Some storefronts are closed, so the range of places to explore can vary. Shop owners may be happy to talk about what they sell, and trying Mandarin can be a friendly way to start a conversation.

Weekends can bring karaoke and food vendors, adding activity to the plaza. If you visit to eat, reported options include skewers and sweet potato balls from vendors, as well as dim sum at a nearby restaurant. Bring cash: some stores limit card use or require a minimum purchase.