Philadelphia Chinatown

Philadelphia Chinatown (Fèichéng huá bù - 费城华埠) is a predominantly Asian American neighborhood located within the Center City district in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) supports the area.

During various periods of urban renewal, starting in the 1960s, portions of Chinatown were razed for the construction of the Vine Street Expressway and Pennsylvania Convention Center . The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation was formed in 1968. This gave community and business leaders more say in matters of local development.

The Chinatown Friendship Gate, located at 10th and Arch Street, is an internationally known landmark and a symbol of cultural exchange and friendship between Philadelphia and its Sister City, Tianjin, China. The Gate is part of the Port Agreement signed in Tianjin, China on November 11, 1982. It was commissioned by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Public Property and completed in winter of 1983-84. The Gate was dedicated on January 31, 1984.

The Gate is the first authentic Chinese Gate built in America by artisans from China. Weighing in at approximately 88 tons and standing 40-feet high, the Gate's bright colors and elaborate design reflect traditional ancient color combinations used in early Chinese imperial construction. Themes of mythical creatures and graphic patterns typical to Ming and Qing Dynasties were used. A procession of mythical animals is featured on tiles, each with its own significance: the phoenix ensures good luck, and the dragon, with the magical power retaining water in its mouth, protects the structure of the Gate and the community from Fire. The four traditional Chinese characters on both sides of the Gate are, "費城華埠" (Fèichéng huá bù), which means Philadelphia Chinatown. Traditional characters are commonly seen outside of Mainland China.

After twenty-four years of climate, wear and tear, the Friendship Gate of Chinatown got a new coat of paint. Once again artisans from the Sister City of Tianjin, China, came to Philadelphia to take on this project in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia and the help of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. Using ancient techniques and traditional materials they revitalized the Friendship Gate. The Gate was rededicated on November 19, 2008.