Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour, Washington D.C.

Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour (Self Guided), Washington D.C.

At only a few blocks in length, Washington DC's Chinatown may be a lot smaller than other Chinatown's in US cities, but it is no less dynamic, fascinating and exciting. Asian restaurants abound as do beautiful architectural and design details such as pagoda-style roofs and Chinese calligraphy.

When you visit be sure to stand by and photograph the Friendship Arch. Marvel at the workmanship that went into the making of this traditional Chinese gate, which consists of thousands of colorful tiles and more than 200 painted dragons. It is the largest free standing arch in the United States and marks the city’s close friendship and ties with Beijing. Close to Chinatown is Penn Quarter, referred to by some as old downtown. This is a revitalized and reenergized hub of arts and entertainment, bursting with theaters, galleries, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and fashionable boutiques.

Within the neighborhood's limits are several landmark buildings, including the J. Edgar Hoover Building (headquarters of the FBI), the National Portrait Gallery, the US Navy Memorial and the Verizon Center. This is a vast sports and entertainment arena where you can watch basketball, hockey and concerts by some of the biggest musical acts in the world.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Josh.
How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Chinatown and Penn Quarter Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Washington D.C.
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: vickyc
7th and H Streets Northwest, Chinese Friendship Arch

1) 7th and H Streets Northwest, Chinese Friendship Arch

Image Courtesy of Tim Evanson.
H Street Northwest

2) H Street Northwest

Image Courtesy of Tim Evanson.
8th Street Northwest, Calvary Baptist Church

3) 8th Street Northwest, Calvary Baptist Church

Image Courtesy of Elvert Barnes.
9th Street Northwest, Potomac Electric Power Company

4) 9th Street Northwest, Potomac Electric Power Company

Image Courtesy of AgnosticPreachersKid.
F Street Northwest, Warder Building

5) F Street Northwest, Warder Building

Image Courtesy of NCinDC.
8th and F Streets Northwest, National Portrait Gallery

6) 8th and F Streets Northwest, National Portrait Gallery

Image Courtesy of dcwriterdawn.
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, US Navy Memorial Plaza

7) Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, US Navy Memorial Plaza

Image Courtesy of Norman Maddeaux.
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, FBI Building

8) Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, FBI Building

Image Courtesy of Norman Maddeaux.
E Street Northwest
E Street Northwest

10) E Street Northwest

Image Courtesy of Tim1965.
12th Street Northwest, Thurman Arnold Building

11) 12th Street Northwest, Thurman Arnold Building

Image Courtesy of NCinDC.
F Street Northwest

12) F Street Northwest

Image Courtesy of Ken Lund.
F Street corner with NW Northwest, Madame Tussauds

13) F Street corner with NW Northwest, Madame Tussauds

Image Courtesy of NCinDC.
10th and F Streets Northwest, Atlantic Building Complex

14) 10th and F Streets Northwest, Atlantic Building Complex

Image Courtesy of Elvert Xavier Barnes.
10th Street Northwest, Saint Patrick's Catholic Church

15) 10th Street Northwest, Saint Patrick's Catholic Church

Image Courtesy of NCinDC.

Walking Tours in Washington D.C., USA

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Creating your own self-guided walk in Washington D.C. is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Federal Buildings Walking Tour

Federal Buildings Walking Tour

The capital of the United States is home to several notable federal buildings that hold significant historical, architectural, and governmental value.

Among the stately “emblems of authority” in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States – The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Georgetown University Walking Tour

Georgetown University Walking Tour

Georgetown University, established in 1789, is America's oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution. Spanning four campuses in Washington, DC, its main undergraduate campus in Georgetown features fifty-four buildings across 104 acres.

With its Gothic and Georgian architecture, serene green spaces, and Jesuit traditions, the university promotes academic excellence and global engagement. For...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Arlington National Cemetery Tour

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example," a distinguished politician of the 19th century said once.

The historic military necropolis – the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years," goes the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln.

Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. – the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons – had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Georgetown Walking Tour

Georgetown Walking Tour

Georgetown is a historic neighborhood situated in the northwest quadrant of Washington, DC. Despite its proximity to downtown, this former port area has preserved much of its distinct character. In Georgetown, "old-world charm meets modern allure," they say. Those poetically inclined tend to compare it to "a tapestry of cobblestone dreams and timeless grace."

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia or simply The District, is the capital of the United States and, in many senses, America’s front yard. After the American Revolution, the need for the newly independent nation's federal government to have authority over a capital city and not rely on any state for its maintenance and safety, came in the wake of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

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Traveler's Guide to Washington DC: 16 Souvenirs to Bring Home

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