Chinatown (Washington, D.C.)

Chinatown Downtown Historic District
Neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Chinatown's "Friendship Archway", as seen looking west on H Street, NW
Chinatown within the District of Columbia
Coordinates: 38°53′59″N 77°01′18″W / 38.8998°N 77.0217°W / 38.8998; -77.0217
Country	United States
District	Washington, D.C.
Ward	Ward 2
Government
• Councilmember	Jack Evans
ZIP Code	20001
Area code(s)	202

Chinatown in Washington, D.C.(Chinese: 華府華埠; pinyin: huá fǔ huà bù), is a small, historic borough east of downtown consisting of about 20 ethnic Chinese and other Asian restaurants and small businesses along H and I Streets between 5th and 8th Streets, Northwest. It is known for its annual Chinese New Year festival and parade and the Friendship Arch, a Chinese gate built over H Street at 7th Street. Other nearby prominent landmarks include the Verizon Center, a sports and entertainment arena, and the Old Patent Office Building, which houses two of the Smithsonian Museums. The neighborhood is served by the Gallery Place-Chinatown station of the Washington Metro.

The Chinatown area was once home to many Chinese immigrants. Chinese immigrants began to move into the area in the 1930s, having been displaced from Washington's original Chinatown along Pennsylvania Avenue by the development of the Federal Triangle government office complex. The newcomers marked it with decorative metal latticework and railings as well as Chinese signage. At its peak, Chinatown extended from G Street north to Massachusetts Avenue, and from 9th Street east to 5th Street.