At a Glance

Located along the southern edge of Downtown, Boston's Chinatown is a commercial and cultural hub for the City's Chinese community. The neighborhood was built on tidal flats in the early 1800s, and has since been home to residential, commercial, transportation, and institutional uses. 

Today Chinatown's dense mix of shops, restaurants, and housing in historic buildings creates an ever-bustling neighborhood with easy access to Downtown, the Theater District, and Boston's dynamic waterfront. Chinatown's elegant gate across Beach Street marks the eastern entrance to the neighborhood. With its unique water features and bamboo, Chinatown Park forms a distinctive terminus to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and place of respite. 

While visitors come from all over to sample Chinatown's range of specialty Asian shops and restaurants, Chinatown is also home to a number of other businesses and organizations, including Tufts Medical Center. South Station serves as a major rail and bus hub for Boston, bringing numerous visitors through the area every day. Chinatown Main Street supports area business owners and nonprofits. 

Want to learn about and share your ideas on planning and development in your neighborhood? Email our Community Engagement team at PlanningEngagement@boston.gov to learn about upcoming engagement opportunities. For information about planning context, zoning, or Planning Department processes, please contact [email protected].