The document provides an overview of Chinatown in Chicago, including its history, demographics, attractions, and facts. It describes how Chinese immigrants first arrived in Chicago in the 1870s and settled in what became Chinatown. Over time, the neighborhood has moved locations due to economic and development factors. Today, Chinatown remains an ethnic enclave where many Chinese immigrants live and work, and visitors can experience Chinese culture through shops, festivals, and cuisine. The document also shares personal reflections from students who visited Chinatown and enjoyed exploring the neighborhood.

1. EXPLORING
CHINATOWN
BY: Kathryn Cannon, Prachi
Gandhi, Renee Perkowski, and
Karina Smolyar

3. How We Got There:

4. History of Chinatown:
Chinese Americans fled persecution on the west coast after anti -Chinese violence had broken out during a
decline in the American economy. This was facilitated by the completion of the First Transcontinental
Railroad, whose work force was 80% Chinese. The first Chinese arrived in Chicago in the 1870s. Mr. T C Moy--
considered to be the first Chinese pioneer in Chicago--wrote to his family and friends on the West Coast
saying that he found Chicago to be a more agreeable place. The population of Chinese Americans grew
steadily, and many Chinese people opened businesses such as restaurants and Laundromats. During the
1950s and 1960s, the population of Chinese people doubled as a result of communism in China. A boycott of
American trade in China led to suspicion of Chinese people in Chicago, which led to landlords increasing
rent prices. Chinese Americans were forced to find a new place to live, and soon Wentworth Avenue and
Cermak Road became the "hub" of a new Chinatown. The construction of highways eventually cutting
Chinatown into a smaller section combined with crowding led to the need to purchase new land for public
housing. In the 1970s as a result of the construction of a new State Detention Center, a new location of
Chinatown was founded in the Argyle and Broadway sections of Chicago. Today, Chinatown continues to be
a center where many Chinese immigrants find jobs and many visitors go to shop.
"Chinatown History." Chicago Chinatown. Travel Services, 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://www.chicago-chinatown.info/chinatown-history.html>.
"History."
Chicago-Chinatown.com. Vision I Systems Inc., 1 Jan. 2003. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://www.chicago-chinatown.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?li=6>.

5. Demographics of Chinatown:
• Area: 0.454 square miles
• Population:7,377
• Majority of the population is of Asian descent
• Median Household income (2011): $32,545
• Males: 3,516
• Females: 3,861
• Percentage of foreign born residents: 46%

6. Attractions of Chinatown:
• Attractions: Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co.
• One of the most popular tea shops in Chinatown
• Samples before purchasing
• Large selection of teas
• Choose tea by the bag to fit into your budget
• Attractions: Autumn Moon Festival
• Assortment of booths and tents
• Great inexpensive shopping opportunities
• Cultural activities
• Crafts for the whole family
• Famous delicacy: moon cakes
• Attractions: Chinatown New Year
• Family event
• Food, shopping, fun
• Parade
• Traditional/cultural activities
• Wearing red is considered to be lucky
• Takes place throughout Chinatown
• Sources
• http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Chinatown-Chicago-IL.html
• http://www.chicago-chinatown.info/chinatown-attractions.html

7. Fun Facts about Chinatown:
• 2014 is the Year of the Horse on the Chinese zodiac calendar.
• The turtles sold at Chinatown are called red-eared slider
turtles.
• Their sale in Chinatown is actually illegal.
• There are over 40 Chinatowns in the US.
• In Chinese, the name for Chinatown translates to "Tang
people's streets" after the Tang Dynasty.
• Bruce Lee was born in Chinatown in San Francisco.
• A scene from Rush Hour was filmed in Chinatown in Los
Angeles.

8. Our Trip to Chinatown!
•

13. Our Personal Reflections & Tips!

14. Kathryn 
• Visiting Chinatown was a great way to get to know the ethnic
neighborhoods of Chicago. Because I am new to Chicago, I
had never been to this part of town. It was fun to get to
know new girls in a new part of the city! I learned to open up
and be friendlier- an important skill for my first year of
college. It was exciting to see the little turtles and all of the
other things vendors were selling. I also loved the
architecture of Chinatown-it really embodied the Chinese
culture! I am so glad I got to go on this trip- I will definitely be
back for some more yummy Chinese food.

15. Prachi 
• Will discuss orally in front of group

16. Renee
• Visiting Chinatown was an original experience for me: although I have briefly
visited the Chinatown in San Francisco, I have never visited the Chinatown
nearby. Chinatown covered a larger area than I had expected, but the
neighborhood itself was unlike the surrounding area. The neighborhood
consisted of many shops and vendors that someone can only find in
Chinatown, from miniature turtle vendors to fish markets where we saw a
woman run outside onto the sidewalk to show the man across the street the
fish she was holding. All of these unique shops and restaurants were
interesting to see, especially since I had expected Chinatown to be a small,
touristy city rather than an authentic cultural hub. Although it may seem that
because Chinatown is so different from the surrounding area visiting
Chinatown was not an "authentic Chicago experience," Chinatown and all the
various ethnic neighborhoods make up Chicago. Chinatown has always been a
key neighborhood in Chicago and it is a section of the city that is worth visiting
for its distinct attractions.

17. Karina 
• As a kid I used to come to Chinatown sometimes and I always
remember it being a huge, strange place, with people selling
strange things. My favorite thing and the thing I looked forward to
the most were the turtles they sell on the streets. I was really
hoping that they didn't get rid of those, considering they are illegal
to sell. I was definitely not disappointed. We found the turtles a
couple blocks in and I almost died when I saw how they cute they
were. At any rate, compared to my childhood, I think this trip
definitely brought Chinatown back down to Earth in my mind. It
was not as strange and exciting as it used to seem, although that
may have been because as a kid I was never really exposed to all of
this anywhere else. However it was still great to be there. I love the
culture and the food. I would definitely go back although if I do, I
run the risk of having to sneak a turtle into my dorm.