A Chinatown In Name Only

D.C.’s Chinatown has all the hits. A giant archway. Dragons painted on the streets. Chinese characters in its storefronts. But…where are all the Chinese people?

For all of its traditional iconography, D.C.’s Chinatown doesn’t feel very Chinese. For years, the remaining Chinese restaurants and shops have felt more like Easter eggs in the neighborhood rather than the main attraction. How did it get like this? Ruth explores the history of D.C.’s Chinese American community.

Ruth and Patrick will be at the Mosaic farmer's market in Fairfax, Va., on Sunday, June 19. Stop by and grab a sticker!

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