Chinatown – Portland

I’m very disappointed if not kind of offended, as a Chinese American that the city of Portland has let it’s Chinatown become such a ghetto. I know the origins of most cities Chinatowns were areas where ethnic Chinese immigrants converged because they were not allowed to live elsewhere due to racial discrimination. It was only many decades later that the residents in these communities strived to thrive and live the American Dream as people to eventually became known as «The Model Minorities» succeeding if not surpassing the mainstream on teh statistical averages in many aspects of what society and civilization considers traits of success. Towards the 1960’s, these Chinatown areas became commercialized and tourist attractions filled with great restaurants as they’re known in most major metropolitain cities today.
I saw Chinatown as a landmark on a tourist /​visitor’s guide map of Portland, so was curious to how it compared to other Chinatowns such as San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, which I was speculating it would not compare in size/​scope, but actually thought it would be a nicer tighter knit community, even more upscale given it’s Portland… geez, was I wrong and way way way off…
This Chinatown is a ghetto, not even a Yellow Ghetto either, it’s home to many seemingly transient, homeless and mentally ill. The streets smells like the Ass of an Ass, that has been marinated in a pool of urine.
I happened to overhear a seemingly crazy lady tell a police officer that some other crazy lady randomly came up to her as she was minding her own business and for no reason punched her in the face and then kept on moving forward with casualness… so if the crazy folks are calling other people crazy, you know it’s very chaotic on this side of town.
There’s really no local businesses here that are appealing for the most part, unless you’re a local and know of a «hole in the wall» — — but as a tourist, it offers nothing positive as a first impression.
Voodoo Donuts is located on the cusp outside of Chinatown.
This area needs re-​gentrification and a dramatic makeover. This is where, usually I hold millennial hipsters to a certain level of disdain, but think they are the ones who ultimately can make this area better. It’s been done in SF’s SoMa and LA’s Downtown areas, so most certainly can be done here.
I heard there is some sort of nightlife here, but I’m not sure what type. During the day it feels sketchy, so I could only imagine how bad it could seem at night.
I’d love to visit Portland again and hear that Chinatown has has it’s socioeconomic profile raised a bit. You always hear of Hong Kong, Taiwanese and money from China coming into the USA buying properties, etc. — - this is a golden opportunity for foreign money to invest into rebuilding something and creating a more utopian community that could become an economic mecca as well. I’d speculate the land isn’t cheap, but also is probably on the lower average for the city based on how run down it is.

Portland’s version of Chinatown needs a bit more… Chinatown. If you see pictures of the inviting, regal Chinese gateway, then you’ve seen it all.
To get to the archway, you must walk through the many homeless camping on the sidewalks outside the gate.
However, if you keep walking thru you will find a great little Comic Book store and Lan Su Gardens– a tranquil Chinese garden and tea house.

There really isn’t much left to Chinatown any more, just a few old signs. The people and businesses have moved on.
Today areas along 82^nd feel the part much more.
The landmarks here are new. Trying to reinfect a bit of culture. To an extent, they work. Now if only some life would return to the areas between the landmarks… well here are the ones I consider landmarks.
The elephant statue in the Park blocks by Burnside– great statue.
The big gate, also along Burnside. It is great, to bad there isn’t a better neighborhood behind it any more.
The Lan-​Su Garden– I saved the best for last. It is a really great little garden. I think it’s a must see when your in town.

This place was just plain sad when I visited here today. There wasnt a lot of bums or hobos around during the afternoon but you could tell the area was not a «popular» or «well kept». I came here to try a chinese restaurant, but in general to tourists in Portland, avoid this chinatown area. The shops and stores look really run down and there isnt much here to see.
The entrance of this area looks very cool with the traditional lion heads and chinese gateway structure, but don’t be fooled. I would NOT recommend this area to anyone… ever.

Should just rename this place Poorland Chinatown. Got into town at 6pm and the homeless were already camped all over the streets. Came back in the late morning and the homeless were packing up. Noticed all the shops didn’t open till the afternoon and all closed by 5pm. There weren’t many shops around, most were just empty shells.
Even seen a crow eating a rat.

The next morning after our first night out in Portland, we decided to come down to downtown to check out a farmers market but that was closed. Then we saw a parade and at the end of the parade, we saw Chinese lion statues and a gate which only meant one thing– Chinatown! In Portland! So we decided to check it out.
The gate to the entrance of Chinatown from NW 4^th Ave was pretty nice. Two lions on each side and a gate in traditional Chinese architecture. We walked down the street and the excitement went away. The windows and shops looked dilapidated and closed, like Chinatown has probably seen better days. There was also a lot of trash on the ground and it just felt like the neglected, afterthought part of town which is truly unfortunate as Chinatowns are usually robust with things to do, shops, some culture, delicious food smells and electric with people walking around. Maybe I’m use to Chinatown in SF and LA. Have yet to check out Chinatown in NYC. I digress. Maybe the Chinese/​Asian population is small or many have moved on? Seems like it. Not many restaurants I did see or things to do. We went a few blocks in and then decided to go to an arcade.

Not much heritage left in Chinatown except for the large dragons and the gate. Aside from that, expect vagrants, trash, dirty sidewalks, and drunks. Nothing good happens here past midnight.

The Chinatown in Portland has a true-​to-​life city feel of which attracts rednecks to urban areas.
Unfortunately, little of it’s Chinese besides a few blocks. Try some places in the San Francisco Bay Area for a really real Chinatown.
Although the area surrounding the gate is much to blame for its reputation, the far bigger area behind the limited square footage of the gate is what counts. Behind the great wall is Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, the train station, cafes and local shopping. This is a film noir movie with a Adam Sandler trailer representing the entrance.
Chinatown is a modestly sized neighborhood. Couch, none dare call it furniture and Davis Street have some stable and oftentimes wildly entertaining businesses. The feel of the neighborhood is often impressive because it can mean an easy walk to the likes of Powell’s Books in the Pearl. The walk from Chinatown encompasses lots of wonderful parks and a little bit of history. For the most part, the area between the gates and the Greyhound the neighborhood is wonderful. Lots of food trucks are here.
Not to be forgotten, Chinatown is well-​serviced by MAX and the bus lines.
The modest amount of clubs and the red, asiatic poles make it feel classy.
There are sometimes poor people throughout a few blocks of the neighborhood, but for what it’s worth, this place has lots of opportunity for both work and play.
Chinatown is a great part of Portland. Of course, the neighborhood is really Oldtown-​Chinatown.

This Chinatown is über sad. It has got to be the worst Chinatown I have been to and I have been to quite a few. First off it is small and there are a lot of homeless/​drug dealers/​junkies roaming around. Walking through it doesn’t even feel like a Chinatown. I think the government should really do something to fix this. I think it would be a great tourist attraction and also for locals too.

Dear city of Portland, you really need to pull your shit together in so many ways. Too many ways for this dainty little review of your Chinatown to address.
Ladies and gentlemen of Portland city and Multnomah county governments you all should be ashamed of yourselves for letting the Chinatown area fall into such a state of disrepair. You are letting junkies, homeless and drug dealers run amok and hard-​working businesses are leaving. Where is your pride and where is your work ethic?
Tourists and city residents alike have no reason to venture into Chinatown unless they are channeling Clint Eastwood and are packing heat. There are few business left. Oh sure, we have the beautiful Chinese Garden but who the hell wants to navigate all the shadiness to get there? Bros and hoes drunkenly enjoy Chinatown on the weekends at dance clubs but reliance on that does not make for a healthy economy and if anything keeps the drug dealers in business.
Dear city of Portland, do try and turn your attention to helping this district that is circling the drain before it’s too late.
2014 — Review # 96

It’s really sad to watch China Town slowly dying over the past couple of decades. Business used to be good. There were unique, authentic restaurants and shops to visit, but unfortunately many have had to shutter through the years. It never was anything comparable to San Francisco, but there were still reasons to go. It’s now an area that I drive through, but really don’t care to venture into on foot. The only places that seem to do well are the bars that attract a younger and bridge and tunnel crowd on the weekend. The homeless population and drug problem have only gotten worse. I’m afraid that’s the primary reason this area is circling the drain. Even the OG institution, Magic Garden is closing.
Go only if you want the disheartening experience of seeing lost souls and rundown closed buildings. Be careful not to get mugged.

Everyone loves bums, sluts and skanks, right? I feel much safer here like ever before.
NOT.
Every street corner smells like a urinal. There are bums everywhere. There is barely any thriving business.
Most of the establishments that are present here only open at night. This is where the bar scene is. This is how a part of Portland night life is being shown to the world. Sad, stinky and pathetic.
The better part about the weekend is they put barricades on the streets so it is exclusive to pedestrians by 10pm. So, if you’re looking for your younger sister who stole your Forever 21 blouse for the night or your pimply brother who doused himself with half a bottle of Abercrombie, you’ll find them demographic here.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s good to meander and visit once a year. And it gets worse every time.

Portland’s Chinatown District seemed so dead, no pride at all. I mean, yes I did see the Chinatown gate with two lions, but that’s about it. But there were other tourists taking pics of it and all. To me, seems like the rest are just too busy with the hip and modern festivities in downtown PDX. It is right across VooDoo Donuts and such. But yeah, it was pretty interesting to me. Chinatown Gate = picture taken.

Skip this. So sad. Portland’s Chinatown is virtually non-​existent. These twin Chinese lions and gate remind me of a San Francisco Chinatown but that is it. This particular Chinatown is pathetic and sad.
This Portland Chinatown has only one restaurant. That’s it! The main inhabitants are druggies. They shoot up inside the little white walls by the lions.
I hope the City of Portland can do something about their junkie-​homeless problem. It’s very prevalent for such a small city.
By all means walk briskly by.

The Chinatown portion of Old Town in Portland extends north from West Burnside St. to Union Station. The entrance is marked by a China gate (built in 1986), complete with a pair of lions, at the corner of NW 4^th Ave. and W Burnside St. A portion of the Chinatown was designated in 1989 the New Chinatown/​Japantown Historic District. There are a few of the restaurants, and that was it. By comparison to Chinatown in San Francisco, or NYC, or London in England. It kind of reminds me of what Chinatown is in Washington DC, but DC is all turned into business and entertainment district. This one is a bit to little of everything. The only thing is the Chinatown Gate for a pic.