Beautiful entrance to one of the cities neighborhoods. We heard that this is one of a couple to mark the entrances. Hope to make it to them all before we leave read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

An iconic staple when visiting the city. Chinatown is easily accessible from Union Square. I normally stay in Union since everything is so walkable and there is so many things to do, eat, shop, and drink in the area. The Chinatown Gate is definitely a landmark to check out as it is the "grand" entrance to Chinatown, the shops and wonderful food! Take a photo from across the street so you can get the entire gate. When you do the hop on hop off tour bus, you will be dropped off across the street. Chinatown has a bunch of hills so be prepared to walk! read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

For some reason, the GPS directions are incorrect. It took me 3 tries to find this Landmark. (Once, I was by myself, walking in the rain!) Somehow, we always ended up at the other end of Chinatown. Finally, I broke out a map instead of listening to the GPS voice and EUREKA! We found it! (Old school style!) Along with the challenge of finding The Dragon Gate, comes the challenge of finding parking. Luck was with us again and we happened upon a broken street meter! The parking monitor said he'd give us 2 FREE hours! Yippee! This Gate is so beautiful compared with the one in Honolulu. I loved the colors, tiles and decorative details! The 2 cement lions at both sides added grandeur and ambiance. The 2 dragons on the roof looked so happy together! Thanks to my Travel Buddy, Yuri, for her tolerance and patience with my persistence in finding this treasure! When I have something in my head, I usually have to make it happen! read more

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~This review is for Chinatown in general~ Financial District literally spills over into this area (or vice versa). Gate immediately reminded me of China/Taiwan and I love it! It's always busy here, so you have to be quick on your feet to take photos or to dodge large trucks driving in the small alley way. There are some interesting shops, so take a look around! I wouldn't recommend buying anything though since the stuff here isn't of the highest quality. However, if you won't make it to China in the next year or so, I suggest grabbing some milk tea from TenRen! I love that place (there are two in this area), since they use real tea leaves. Egg tart bakery was closed but this didn't stop people from visiting the area! I even discovered a $5.99 AYCE dim sum.... Don't forget to check out the cool murals! Lots of picture worthy backgrounds. read more

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Very cool place with lots of history. We took a bunch of photos in front of the wall murals. They're all over the place. Tons of places to eat and random little shops. Def a place to visit. read more

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Came to Chinatown for the first time ever! We were walking along the Pier and decidid to finally visit Chinatown! There is a parking a block or so down which is really convenient so you can just walk up the Chinatown street. We were so lucky, there where actually some performances going on! Two dragon heads dancing along with some cool music. It gave me chills to see this piece of culture live, the drums were amazing. My parents weren't huge fans of the loud drums so we would occasionally hide in a store while they passed. Not going to lie, the stores disappointed me a bit, most of them were just filled with little souvenir type things or some markets with fresh groceries. I guess it's mostly my fault for expecting so much. However we did pick up a nice silk robe and gave the Buddha statue some quarters in his belly for a wish! Overall really cool experience in Chinatown! I would recommend coming by at least once' read more

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San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the United States. The Chinatown Gate or Dragon Gate is located at the southern entrance to Chinatown at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Bush Street. This beautiful gate is the only authentic Chinatown Gate in North America. Similar structures are usually made with wooden pillars unlike this iconic symbol which conforms to Chinese gateway standards. Stone is used from base to top of the gate and jade green tiles adorn the roof. Grant Avenue is written in Chinese as "Dupont Gai". The Gateway was designed in 1970 by Clayton Lee, Melvin Lee, and Joe Yee. Chinatown Gate receives more visits than the Golden Gate Bridge each year. Stop by the Chinatown Gate for some fantastic Chinese food and shopping. read more

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Chinatown gateway Arch also known as the Dragon's Gate. The lion statures on either side are to guard against evil spirits. The gate has 3 openings, the largest in the middle is meant for dignitaries and the other 2 are for commoners. read more

Dragon's Gate - Dragon’s Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The service is so bad. The restaurant charges 18% gratuity with bill. It's so ridiculous. Food is not worth the price. I will not recommend this restaurant. read more

Great photo spot. Has some nice cafes and bars in the area and shopping that fits all budgets.

This is where they filmed from big trouble in little China, when Jack Burton and Wang are looking for Miao Yin from the lords of death until they got caught from Lo Pan's warriors against Egg Shen's armies. Also, it's my all time favorite John carpenter movie. read more

My hotel happened to be right across the street from the Chinatown gate which made it very easy to find. The Chinatown gate is the entry to the infamous China town which I enjoyed. Walking by this gate and you cant miss the beauty and charm of the structure. You also wont miss tourists and or just passerbys stop and take some quick pics of the gate. I definitely recommend walking through the gate to check out Chinatown and its plethora of restaurants, stores and cultural atmosphere. read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

If you can walk there or take a trolley close enough and walk do that, because parking is a bear. Next to New York, this is the best Chinatown I have ever been to. I just love it. Go during the day as things close sort of early there. Just start walking. It is safe and fun. There are little places to get great Chinese food and fine dinning as well. Take your pick, they are all great. I have never had a bad meal there, from the cheapest of little dives to the more pricey fine dinning places. While walking you will see all manner of stores. You can buy inexpensive gifts for friends or yourself (do not buy Jade there--ever). They have everything from toys to Chinese traditional clothes. The people are friendly and any local can direct you what to do next. If you are lucky enough to be there for a parade or during Chinese New Year, you are really in for a treat. read more

Pretty cool to see. Some interesting murals and beautiful, ornate looking shops / antique / cultural items. Wish I'd had more time to spend there. read more

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Seems like every time I'm in the Bay Area I make my way to this Chinatown. Totally weird, but then again, probably not because being a 1st generation Chinese in this country I feel I'm obligated to come here. On the other hand I'm likely overthinking this. I love this town though and why not? This friendship gate is gorgeous & it welcomes locals & tourists alike into this historic enclave. An enclave that is rich in history & still steeped in old world traditions. read more

This is an icon of Chinatown! And to be honest, of San Francisco. It's a must for any tourist. It's on the corner of Bush St. and Grant. A true "welcome" to a BIG community, this "gate" has been major Instagram famous for years!! The tour buses go through this as well (even though they currently aren't running). The lions on the gate are there to symbolize protection from evil. read more

The gate is a little underwhelming but still an interesting landmark. The whole of Chinatown was also interesting. There's lots of shops and places to eat, plus some people playing music outside. Streets are very crowded, but all in all still a pleasant experience. read more

This Gate is pretty cool - it looks like something for Mortal Kombat or from Ghost Busters like an ancient gateway in an urban city into another rhealm or world. Perhaps that's kind'a true in a symbolic way because it does mark the beginning of San Francisco's China Town area which is a charming area with tons of shops and goodies and Chinese cuisine and artifacts. The gate itself is what it is - it's a large gate that looks antique and is cool for photos. It's worth seeing if you are already in the area and plan to shop in China Town - otherwise I wouldn't make a special trip ONLY for this gate. read more

This is a really cool and fun place to visit. The gate itself could be missed if you aren't paying attention. That said, it's absolutely beautiful and well worth visiting. The detail is fantastic and it's a memorable place to grab a picture. Also, the neighborhood, Chinatown, is fantastic and loaded with local shops blossoming with really cool stuff from swords to china (dishes) to those beautiful silks robes that my wife talked me into purchasing. If you are visiting San Francisco then personally I think it's an absolute must to venture through Chinatown and see the gate. read more

Dragon's Gate - Dragon Wall in San Francisco's Chinatown. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very nice and had an Oriental vibe. Great gift shops all around and the prices are not bad. The murials are the area are beautiful and very detailed. Better than most China Towns I been to. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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https://youtu.be/Pybl8uheppk I help my husband film a video about it. It was fun. Sometimes there is a meditation practice there. read more

My walk from the Tenderloin to work in the Financial District can be pretty depressing sometimes. Dark, grey, cold, and bleak. People all have their heads down, earbuds in trying to forget those around them and the fact that they are willingly walking into their cubicle cells for 8-10 hours. The transition to a full time job wasn't easy. The walk to work didn't help. So instead of walking all the way to Kearny, I switched my route to walk up Grant instead. And it was probably the single best thing I could've done to make my day a little easier. So now I get to greet the stone Dragon heads as I walk through their gate. I am greeted by colorful shops with workers scrambling to put all their goods out on their sidewalks for the day. Tourists in bright colors are happily smiling and posing for photos. PokemonGo stops are lit and spawning Eevees left and right. (I'm not kidding, my Pokemon gaming technique has also gone up since going this route instead). And the walk to work just feels that much...nicer. More relaxed. It is hard sometimes to get up the initial steep hill and avoid all the clueless tourists, but it sure as hell beats the stone cold and lifeless grey one block over. read more

Yes! The Grand entrance to Chinatown, it's presided over by the huge Chinese gate and its lions. There is usually a big crowd of people here. Tourists taking pictures, misionaries and activists all use this area. Its a nice stroll down Grant street from here to take in all the shops selling all the stuff you really don't need. They mostly stay busy. I can't remember an open shop here. It seems like all the same shops as my first visit. It is fun though and the shops are, for the most part, inexpensive. So take the required photo then come on in and explore! read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great place to walk around and shop for souvenirs and amazing affordable prices. Don't get ripped off shopping else where, I repeat DON'T shop elsewhere! Def recommend. read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

I am so surprised this hasn't been reviewed yet. Oh well! Chalk up a first for me! I fondly remember the first time a passed under this gate. I was a freshman at USF at the time - our RA was showing us around the city. "A real-life Chinatown," I thought to myself in wonder. I couldn't help it, I was but a wide-eyed country boy, fresh off the plane in a big city. Alas, those days of whimsy are over. Luckily for me, I pass the gate on my way to work, which allows me to experience that initial wonder vicariously through the tourists taking photos - and asking me to take their photos. read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

The legendary and iconic Chinatown Gate! Serving as a main one way entrance this gate is beautiful in structure, color, and design. Great photo opportunity just watch out for cars! Reminded me of GTA video game, that's what a friend said haha. read more

Dragon's Gate - Iconic! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such a cool area in San Francisco! Very fun place to visit, great photo ops, you instantly feel like you are in a different county. Tons of people, this is the busiest area in town and finding parking can be tough though they do have a few lots that charge about $10 a day. Very unique shops, tons of places to get souveniers, prices are great and you can haggle to get the best deal. One of my favorite places during our visit, a must see while in the area! read more

This was on the list of "must see" things in San Fran, but honestly I wasn't impressed at all. If anything we didn't feel safe getting out of the car in the area. We were going to park and walk the actual area of Chinatown and decided not to because it looked sketchy and really dirty. Such a disappointment because we are always up for adventures and trying other cultures and love visiting places like this. But I wouldn't recommend getting out in this area. Very Grungy. Isn't what I expected at all. We drove by and that was enough for us. read more

The Chinatown neighborhood in San Francisco is as close to Asia as I've ever come (although Disney's Epot gives it a real good try). So when I enter through the pearly gates that make up the Chinatown Gate, I feel like I'm stepping into another world. A world where I'm the minority and floating boat sushi and sesame roll bakeries are the majority. If you find yourself near the elaborate and stunning Gate, add it to your list alongside the other San Fran staples. **Allow plenty of time, this is the largest Chinese neighborhood in America, imagine blocks upon blocks of groceries, gift shops, eateries, bubble tea stands and more. read more

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Abandon all hope ye who enter here. Wait, I was just playing around with my imagination ... and it got all scary. I didn't come through the "entrance" my first time here, since I just knew better than regular tourists, and had received a bitchin' recommendation for lunch by a local that took us in a different way. But the second time around I wanted to see it. This "entrance" lets you know that good food and interesting culture awaits you. read more

門門門 It's a gate. It's ornamental. It's been seen in movies and TV shows. I saw it. I passed it. I am better for the experience. My life is complete. It is the gate to Chinatown. read more

I used to work on Grant Ave near the Dragon Gate. Love the vibe and the energy of the San Francisco China town. Always hustling and bustling. The funky smell of exotic Chinese mushrooms and the sound of mandarine Chinese and Cantonese Chinese ( even thou I don't understand them ) exchanged between people are what I miss about this area of the city. There is always so much energy in this place whether weekends or weekdays. I like the weekday vibe when less tourists but even the weekends vibe is just so awesome. People walking , moving , eating , drinking , shopping, bargaining , taking photos , so much energy. Love San Francisco Chinatown. read more

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Nice place to go explore. Cleaner than most other places in San Francisco, so that was a really nice aspect. read more

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China towns dragons gate now open to drive right through! The gift shops are partially open now and dining only on weekends is what we heard. Great spots to take pics as it has a few murals to look at. Hanging lanterns also look pretty cool! We even saw a dj playing music right in the center of it all. Come support these businesses. read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's cool but not anything to make sure you drive to and see compared to what the city has to offer. I recommend parking near this and walking up the street to explore China Town that way. Best time of day is 4-5 pm before it's dark to see open stores yet be there when the street lights turn on. read more

This entrance is China town in San Fran is merely a gate an nothing more and if you have been visiting China town in many cities and countries, it might not make much of a Wowing effect. China town is China town as always...many many shops to bargain. It just interesting to walk around and observe the area. If you go from the main gate its a slight walk upwards, so have comfortable shoes. read more

Dragon's Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I found myself roaming the streets of San Francisco waiting for some friends. Of course I turned to Yelp to find where I was and what I was doing. I found this review of a street corner. I found the corner and stood there taking it all in. I never knew where Chinatown was, but I found the entrance. Here is the first real french brasserie that I've found outside of France or Quebec. It's a beautiful place to stop and take in the aura of the city. I can't believe that this hasn't been reviewed since 2005. I'd like to report that it's still the same. read more

Now I'm not saying that I've been everywhere and I've done everything, but I do know it's a pretty amazing planet we live on, and a man would have to be some kind of fool to think we're alone in this universe. Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it." read more

This was my first exposure to SF as Chinatown was just a short walk from my hotel (at Union Square area). I knew SF was hilly but I was not expecting to get in such a workout--the incline on some of these roads were insane but a great experience. I still really enjoyed Chinatown--there's the typical tourist gift shops that sell "The city" merchandise. It's everything from hats and sweatshirts to keychains and postcards. There's also the typical stores that sell jewelry and antiques. I enjoyed the experience but it's pretty much exactly what you'd expect. read more

Look out for the Lords of Death here! Hopefully Jack Burton will save you from any Big Trouble in Little China! This gate is the entryway to another country. Passing through it, you start to see wildly foreign sights, exotic smells, and friendly people. This gate has been in all kinds of great movies, and is quite a beautiful sight. It's so cool that you can still drive through the gate, and feel like you're instantly transported to a distant land. The traffic that goes through the gate is not very heavy, and the local drivers seem to be used to people standing around in front of the place taking selfies. It's a great place to see a piece of San Francisco history. I especially love how the street lamps here are all in the Chinese style, which goes quite well with the gate here. Make sure you check this place out. It's one of the most inexpensive tourist sights to see in SF. read more