The ceremonial heart of LA's "New Chinatown," opened in 1938 after the original quarter was demolished to build Union Station. The pedestrian plaza is a deliberately theatrical assembly of curved rooflines, paper lanterns, neon signage, and pailou gates, with a small wishing well at its centre where visitors still toss coins for luck.
It is more film set than living neighbourhood — and indeed has appeared in plenty of films — but the lanterns glowing at dusk are genuinely atmospheric, and a scattering of galleries, gift shops, and bars have moved into the older storefronts. A short, photogenic stop, easily combined with dim sum nearby.