Chinatown

The first Immigrants from China arrived to DC in 1851 and by 1884 the first Chinatown was established in DC on Pennsylvania Avenue with approximately 100 people. By 1903 Chinatown not only had residents but many shops and businesses as well all run by Chinese families.The area grew throughout the early 1900's until the Federal Government forced the Chinese families out because of the development of the Federal Triangle Project. Although many of the families moved away from the area in the 1970's The Chinese culture still remains very strong due to organizations that keep up with history and culture of the area. The Friendship Arch greets those who enter China town and is the largest Chinese archway in the nation, It symbolizes the friendship of Beijing with DC.