This document provides information about a visit to Chinatown in Chicago. It gives the location of Chinatown and directions via public transportation. It provides a brief history of how Chinatown was established. It includes demographic statistics and lists what the group experienced and did not get to see on their visit. It concludes with reflections from group members on their experience in Chinatown.

1. Loyola takes on

2. Location
Chinatown is past downtown Chicago on the
South Side located in Armour Square.

3. If a student boards
the CTA at the Loyola
stop on the Red line,
they can stay on the
train all the way down
to the
Cermak/Chinatown
Stop.
Travel

4. History of Chinatown
After the Chinese left the Gold Coast in
California, they migrated to Chicago to escape
from the violence using the First
Transcontinental Railroad. Chinatown
originated in Chicago’s Loop but moved to
Armour Square because of high rent prices.

5. History of Chinatown
In the 1920s when the Chinese were
promised 50-year leases, traditional
architecture was brought from China.
The Pui Tak building is a great example.
When the building opened in 1928 at a
cost of one million dollars, it was the
finest large Chinese-style structure in
any North American Chinatown.

6. Demograph
ics
16,250
11,919
33
38.4

7. What We Experienced
● Pui Tak Bookstore
● Went into grocery stores
● Went into gift shops
● Chatted with locals
● Walked around
● Ate food
● Took the train

8. What We Didn’t Get to See
● Ping Tom Memorial Park
- Park Named after Ping Tom, its creator and founding
president of
Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
● Autumn Moon Festival
- A large festival held in Chinatown streets comprised of
many booths
and tents as well as many cultural activities. This festival is noted for
the moon cakes they traditionally serve.

9. Recommendations
Exploring Chinatown
Grocery Stores
Talk to Locals
Visit Local Gift Shops
Explore the Culture Through
Local Entertainment
Buy Turtles Eat Authentic Foods

10. Reflection
- Paige

11. Reflection - Austin
● Being in Chinatown was a huge culture shock. It was
interesting seeing a completely different culture and
language thriving in a city that belongs to an entirely
different culture. I noticed that I was an “outsider” in this
community and that at times it was detrimental and it
gave me profound respect for the people of Chinatown
who themselves can sometimes be considered
outsiders in our culture.

12. Reflection - Samantha
I have always been interested in learning about other
cultures, and I love that so many cultures can exist in one
city. I enjoy feeling foreign, though still in Chicago,
because it makes me feel that there is something to be
learned from a culture different from my own.
I really enjoyed eating authentic Chinese as well as getting
to experience a bit of Chinese culture in stark contrast to
popular culture in Chicago.

13. Reflection - Megan
-Looking into a new culture
-Different part of Chicago
-Fun experience

14. Works Cited
● http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Chinatown-
Chicago-IL.html
● http://www.chicago-chinatown.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?li=6