Chinese Historical Museum

Uncover a hidden piece of local history at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in downtown San Diego — rated the best museum in the city by local residents in 2010! Situated in a district that was once home to a small but lively Chinatown, the museum is a testament to the experience of Chinese American settlers in San Diego and a tribute to Chinese culture and history at large.

Within a historic mission building that served as the first church and school for Chinese immigrants to San Diego, visitors find a collection of historical photographs, calligraphy, costumes, artifacts, furniture, and art. Take a break to find your center at the museum’s tranquil Asian garden. The garden path begins with a magnificent gate memorializing Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, followed by a small waterfall and a quiet stream, and culminates in a fishpond. A serpentine stone path leads to the courtyard and is adorned by a bronze statue of Confucius.

Next, peruse the ongoing exhibits of Chinese art and cultural objects in the brand-new extension building. Afterward, your museum experience may serve as a natural inspiration for exploring the surrounding neighborhood, with its lingering influence from the scores of Chinese immigrants and markets it once boasted.