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China Town

The Chinatown centered on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street in

San Francisco, California, is the oldest Chinatown in North Ameri-

ca and the largest Chinese enclave outside Asia. It is the oldest of

the four notable Chinatowns in the city. Since its establishment in

1848, it has been highly important and influential in the history and

culture of ethnic Chinese immigrants in North America. Chinatown

is an enclave that continues to retain its own customs, languages,

places of worship, social clubs, and identity. There are two hospi-

tals, numerous parks and squares, a post office, and other infra-

structure. While recent immigrants and the elderly choose to live in

here because of the availability of affordable housing and their fa-

miliarity with the culture, the place is also a major tourist attraction,

drawing more visitors annually than the Golden Gate Bridge.