La Chinesca, Baja California

The Cachanilla Lands are Full of Unique Surprises. Such is the Case of the Magic Neighborhood of La Chinesca in Mexicali.

Discover the Magic of La Chinesca

La Chinesca, also known as Chinatown, is a historic neighborhood located in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. It is one of the most important Magic Neighborhoods in the country. Here you can find more information about how to enjoy this emblematic place in northern Mexico.

What to Do in La Chinesca

1. Walk Along Benito Juárez Street: This is the main street of La Chinesca, where most of the restaurants, shops, and businesses are located. You can find everything from souvenirs and crafts to traditional Chinese clothing.
2. Visit the Chinese Temple: Also known as Kuan Kung Buddhist Temple, it is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Mexico. You can admire its architecture and learn about the Buddhist religion.
3. Explore the Chinatown Museum: This museum narrates the history of the Chinese community in Mexicali. You can learn about how they arrived in the city, how they adapted to Mexican culture, and how they have contributed to the city’s development.
4. Enjoy the Cuisine: In La Chinesca, you can find a wide variety of restaurants serving traditional Chinese food. You can try everything from dumplings and dim sum to Peking duck and Kung Pao chicken.
5. Attend a Cultural Event: Chinatown hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, such as the Chinese New Year Festival and the Moon Festival. You can enjoy traditional Chinese music, dances, dragon and lion dances, and much more.
6. Take a Guided Tour: Several companies offer guided tours of La Chinesca. On these tours, you can learn about the neighborhood’s history, visit the most important places, and try traditional food.
7. Buy Souvenirs: In La Chinesca, you can find a wide variety of souvenirs, such as traditional Chinese clothing, crafts, tea products, and much more.
8. Learn Chinese: There are several Chinese schools in La Chinesca where you can learn the language.
9. Relax at a Spa: La Chinesca has several spas offering traditional Chinese massages.
10. Enjoy the Nightlife: La Chinesca has several bars and nightclubs where you can enjoy the nightlife.

Recommendations

When planning your getaway to explore this Magic Neighborhood, we highly recommend including a wide variety of activities in your itinerary to get to know the area in depth. Keep in mind that this destination stands out for the following aspects:

• Its Architecture: The neighborhood features unique architecture that combines Chinese and national elements, creating an unparalleled immersive experience.
• Its Cuisine: In Chinatown, you can find a wide variety of restaurants serving traditional Chinese food, with an impeccable fusion of Chinese and Mexican flavors. It’s said to be the best in the entire country!
• Its Shops: Here you’ll find a wide variety of stores selling Chinese products, such as clothing, souvenirs, and crafts.

When to Visit

The attractions and activities are available year-round, so you can visit La Chinesca at any time. However, we recommend a couple of special activities that fill the streets with joy and culture and are must-experiences at least once in your life:

• Chinese New Year in La Chinesca: Celebrated each year between January 21 and February 20. One of the most famous manifestations of this celebration is the “Dragon Dance,” a traditional dance performed by a team of people holding a dragon figure made of cloth and wood. This practice is often considered to symbolize good luck and prosperity.
• Moon Festival: Also called the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month according to the Han calendar, which is approximately between September and October each year, especially when the night has a full moon. This celebration features representative dances of the Chinese community, such as the dragon dance, and the preparation of mooncakes.

Where to Eat

Here are a couple of places to enjoy the exquisite variety of traditional Chinese dishes that have merged with Mexican cuisine. However, we recommend exploring the neighborhood and following your intuition (and nose) to choose the ideal Chinese or Cantonese restaurant for you.

• Chiang’s Bistro: Calle Ignacio Manuel Altamirano 104. $250 to $400 MXN.
• Dragón Oro: Benito Juárez 121, Centro. $300 to $400 MXN.

Where to Stay

The area offers a wide range of accommodations to suit all types of travelers, from charming historic hotels with secrets to discover to clean, comfortable, and practical motels. Here are some options to complement your getaway:

• Hotel del Norte: Av. Francisco I. Madero 205, Centro. Price: MXN 1,042 per night.
• Hotel Calafia Mexicali: Calz. Justo Sierra 1495, Los Pinos. Price: $1,222 MXN per night.
• Hotel Chinesca: Benito Juárez 134, Primera. Price: $727 MXN per night.

How to Get to La Chinesca

To get to Mexicali, you’ll need to book a flight to General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport. Departing from Mexico City, you can take a flight to Mexicali for only $1,800 MXN with airlines like Volaris or Aeroméxico.

The Magic Neighborhood of La Chinesca is located in the center of Mexicali. It takes only 12 minutes to get to La Chinesca from the capital of Baja California, covering a distance of 6.8 km.