Chinese Heritage Walk: Explore the Heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s a living piece of history. Established in the 1850s, it’s the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia. Packed with culture, stories, and traditions, this area has long been a symbol of resilience, identity, and community for Chinese Americans.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Chinese Heritage Walk offers a unique opportunity to see Chinatown through the eyes of expert docents who live and breathe its history. You’ll explore temples, tea shops, traditional markets, and other gems that connect the past with the present.
What You’ll Experience on the Heritage Walk
The walking tour is designed to immerse you in the heart of Chinatown, with stops that showcase its architectural, historical, and cultural richness. Here are some of the highlights you can expect:
🏛 Portsmouth Square
This is where the city of San Francisco was claimed for the United States. Today, it’s a bustling community hub, alive with families, children, elders playing Chinese chess, and daily life unfolding in real-time.
☎ Chinese Telephone Exchange
Located at the site of what’s now the United Commercial Bank, this building once hosted the only foreign language telephone exchange in the U.S.—operated entirely by bilingual female switchboard operators.
🙏 Tin How Temple
Built in 1852, Tin How Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in the United States. It honors the goddess of the sea, Mazu, who is a beloved figure in Southern Chinese coastal communities.
🥬 Stockton Street Markets
For a real taste of local life, the markets on Stockton Street can’t be missed. This is where many Chinatown residents do their shopping, especially on Saturdays when the street comes alive with energy and flavor.
🥠 Fortune Cookie Factory
Tucked inside the narrow Ross Alley, this small shop is one of the last places in the country where fortune cookies are still made by hand. Visitors can watch the process and even get custom fortunes.
Why Chinatown Matters
Between the 1850s and early 1900s, most Chinese immigrants in San Francisco came from Guangdong Province, in southern China. At that time, it was the only Chinese port open to foreign trade, and most immigrants spoke Cantonese.
Despite decades of discrimination, legal exclusion, and even violence, Chinese Americans built a thriving community in San Francisco. The architecture, street layout, and vibrant businesses reflect both resilience and a deep sense of identity.
Today, Chinatown is not just a tourist attraction. It’s a living neighborhood, full of families, businesses, places of worship, and cultural institutions that continue to serve the local community.
Tour Details
Schedule:
Available Tuesday to Sunday
Tour times: 10:00 AM (no Sunday tour), 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM
Optional dim sum lunch available after the 10:00 AM tour for an additional fee.
Pricing:
- Adults: $25
- Children under 15: $20
- Children under 5: Free
Special rates are available for school groups—ask for details!
Booking Info:
- Group tours: Book 2 weeks in advance
- Small groups (5 or fewer): Book at least 3 days in advance
- Minimum charge: $50
- Cancellations made too late may be subject to a fee
To Book:
📞 Call: 415-986-1822 ext. 24
📧 Email: tour@c-c-c.org
(Please include your name, contact details, preferred date/time, and number of participants.)
Important: Your tour is only confirmed once you receive a reply by phone or email.
Meet Our Docents
The experience is made even more meaningful thanks to our knowledgeable and passionate docents, each with a unique connection to Chinese culture and San Francisco history.
- Lynn Eichinger – Veteran tour guide and historian with a background in tech and education.
- Blandina Farley – World traveler and storyteller who brings San Francisco’s history to life.
- Shelly Ginenthal – Long-time San Francisco resident and artist, fluent in Portuguese.
- Janice Hom – Native San Franciscan and cultural expert, fluent in Cantonese.
- Gwen Kuo – Art magazine writer and expert in Asian contemporary art, speaks Mandarin and Japanese.
- Marjorie Leet Ford – Author, radio producer, and expert storyteller, fluent in French.
- Mengxuan Liu – Scholar in Chinese American studies, fluent in Mandarin.
- Anita Rao – Multilingual guide with deep ties to Chinese culture through her time in Hong Kong.
Want to Learn More About Chinatown?
Looking to continue your journey into Chinese American history? Check out these recommended books—available at discounted prices at our gallery shop:
- San Francisco’s Chinatown by Judy Yung
- Driven Out by Jean Pfaelzer
- Picturing Chinatown by Anthony W. Lee
- Genthe’s Photographs of San Francisco’s Old Chinatown by Arnold Genthe
- Postcard History Series: San Francisco’s Chinatown by Robert & Brenda Bowen
Culinary Walks (Currently Unavailable)
For those more curious about food, our Chinese Culinary Walk and Luncheon is a delicious way to explore Chinatown. When available, this tour includes visits to tea shops, herbal stores, seafood markets, and ends with a dim sum lunch. Stay tuned for updates!
Ready to experience the rich culture of Chinatown firsthand? Book your Chinese Heritage Walk today and take a step into one of America’s most vibrant cultural neighborhoods.