i
Start a day in Old Town Chinatown by crossing through the neighborhood’s iconic gate.

Old Town Chinatown

Discover the secrets of this historic central-city district, from handmade goods to a traditional garden.

i
Start a day in Old Town Chinatown by crossing through the neighborhood’s iconic gate.

Today, Portland’s original downtown is a bustling entertainment district and streetwear shopping hub, and is home to Portland’s famous Saturday Market, Chinatown Museum and Lan Su Chinese Garden. Read on for our favorite things to do and see in Portland’s historic Old Town Chinatown.

Explore Portland With Near Me Now

Are you in Portland or visiting soon? Our Near Me Now web app will lead you to some of our favorite neighborhood spots.

Visit Near Me Now

Short-Term Rentals in Old Town Chinatown

Use the links below to search for short-term vacation rental listings in and near Old Town Chinatown.

Airbnb

Vacasa

Vrbo

#reopeningpdx Video Tour

Things to do in Old Town Chinatown

This historic neighborhood is home to some of the city's most iconic attractions and landmarks.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden offers tranquil garden paths and a cozy tea house.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

An authentic Ming Dynasty style garden built by Suzhou artisans, Lan Su Chinese Garden offers a peaceful escape in Portland's historic Chinatown district.

Voodoo\'s Old Town location draws a crowd at all hours of the day — and night.

Voodoo Doughnut

Since 2003, Portland's Voodoo Doughnut has sold millions of wacky, sugary snacks — and the 24-hour Old Town landmark still attracts lines all hours of the day.

Descend beneath the streets of Old Town Chinatown to learn the lore of the Shanghai Tunnels.

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels

In the late 1850s, a lonely logger might get more than he bargained for at his local tavern. See Portland's historic underbelly on a Shanghai Tunnel tour.

Diners enjoy authentic Japanese ramen at Marukin, inside Pine Street Market.

Pine Street Market

A modern food hall in Portland's Old Town features both local favorites and new ventures from international chefs, creating a kind of permanent food festival.

Combining an arts show, a live street concert and an open-air bazaar, this riverside market has been a beloved Portland tradition since 1974.

Portland Saturday Market

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

The iconic 50-foot clock tower at Union Station welcomes visitors to Portland.

Amtrak / Union Station

Union Station, with its elegant architecture and iconic “Go By Train” neon sign connects passengers with the city by bus, car and of course by train.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Old Town Chinatown

The city’s oldest neighborhood is filled with surprises. Find them all with the help of our handy itinerary.

Read more

Where to stay

Staying in vibrant Northwest Portland, which includes the Pearl District and Old Town Chinatown, guarantees a great sampling of the city's cultural offerings, including fine dining, art and nature.

Northwest Portland Hotels

Explore Old Town Chinatown

Dig into some of the neighborhood's top food, drink and things to see.

Dine at one of the city\'s oldest restaurants, Dan & Louis, in Old Town Chinatown.

Old Town Chinatown Dining

Portland's oldest neighborhood is home to historic restaurants, contemporary eateries and one of the world's most famous doughnut shops.

Peruse local art, crafts, furniture, food and much more at Portland Saturday Market.

Old Town Chinatown Shopping

If you're looking to load up on made-in-Portland souvenirs, unusual artwork and Northwest heritage home goods, look no further than Old Town Chinatown.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden offers tranquil garden paths and a cozy tea house.

Old Town Chinatown Activities

The area where Portland started is just as vital today, housing some of the city's most beloved attractions, nightlife options and art galleries.

5 To Try

Cool Shopping

Old Town Chinatown is the place to find locally-made souvenirs, eclectic artwork and heritage goods.

  • Orox Leather Co.

    Following in the footsteps of the proprietor's great-grandfather, all Orox Leather creations are made by hand by a practiced craftsman. Their products are made with domestically sourced leather and sustainable (often even recycled) trappings.

  • Hello From Portland

    Featuring locally made coffee, treats, souvenirs and apparel, Hello From Portland is the perfect gift shop for visitors who want to send a friendly hello to family and friends while visiting the Pacific Northwest.

  • Upper Playground

    Portland owned and operated since 2006, Upper Playground offers T-shirts, hoodies, art prints, magnets, stickers and gifts.

  • Floating World Comics

    Calling itself "the record store of comic stores," this airy comic book store houses an inventory of obscure titles shelved alongside mainstream selections, plus volumes of cutting-edge graphic art and design.

  • Cal Skate Skateboards

    Oregon's oldest skateboard shop has been serving Portland since 1976. They stock more than 300 different decks and an ever-growing inventory of longboards, cruisers and pro models.

Portland’s Entertainment District

On weekend nights, several blocks in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood are closed to cars, making it easy to visit the area's many dance clubs and bars.

Party on

Sneakerhead Scene

Home to sneaker legend Nike, Portland is a hot-spot for footwear design enthusiasts.

Browse a broad array of stylish sneakers at Compound.

The Portland Sneakerhead Scene

Casual collectors and seasoned sneakerheads can dive into the Portland sneakerhead scene at these Old Town Chinatown shops and businesses.

SneakerWeek founder Herbert Smith works on a new shoe design.

Sneaker Week

Sneaker Week offers fun events for sneaker addicts and footwear newbies alike.

At Nike Portland, shop for trendy shoes designed only a few miles away.

Portland Shoe and Sportswear Brands

Portland is the athletic gear capital of America. Here's where to shop for the best designed-in-Portland shoes and sportswear.