Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9. CHINESE CULTURE CENTER
The Chinese Culture Center comprises an art gallery and a small crafts shop, featur-
ing the work of Chinese and Chinese-American artists.
Chinese Culture Center •
Hilton Hotel 3rd floor, 750 Kearny St • 415 986 1822 •
www.c-c-c.org
Google Map
10. ST MARY'S SQUARE
This square is graced by a stainless-steel and rose-granite statue of Sun Yat-sen by
San Francisco sculptor Beniamino Bufano.
Google Map
View photo
Gold Rush Cantonese
Chinese immigrants began to arrive with the Gold Rush, to get rich quick and
return home heroes. As it happened, things turned politically sour in China at
the time, and many Chinese stayed in the new land. Unfortunately, there was a
racist backlash against them, resulting in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and
Chinatown became a kind of ghetto, full of opium dens and vice. The Act was re-
pealed in 1943, and things have steadily improved ever since.
Tip:
Don't drive into Chinatown: it's very congested, and parking is impos-
sible. Take the
cable car
- all three lines will get you there.
Tip:
One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in town is Yank Sing.
Back to intro
Chapter contents
