Tours and Tickets to Experience Honolulu Chinatown

There are plenty of ways to experience Honolulu Chinatown. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Waikiki Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Honolulu
• Hawaii Off The Beaten Path Food Tour
• We Go Eat - Secret Aloha Bites
• Oahu: Pearl Harbor National Memorial - ETOHI
• Oahu: Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Driving Tour

While it costs nothing to visit Honolulu Chinatown on your own, there are also plenty of affordable tours that offer a richer experience of the neighborhood, as well as a lot of fun. Options include a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by trolley starting at US$20 per person, and small-group food tours from US$150.

Some of the top attractions to see during a tour of Honolulu Chinatown include the bustling open-air market at Maunakea Marketplace, Kuan Yin Temple, Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine, and the century-old Hawaii Theatre Center. There’s also the Chinese Cultural Plaza, which is home to many restaurants.

Yes, guided walking tours are available in Honolulu Chinatown. Exploring in the company of an expert guide is a great way to experience the neighborhood’s rich culture and heritage. Walking tours focused on exploring Chinatown’s vibrant and delicious food scene are particularly popular.

The history of Honolulu's Chinatown dates back to the 19th century when immigrants from China arrived in Hawaii to work on sugar plantations and settled in the area. Today, that Chinese influence remains strong, and the neighborhood has become one of Honolulu’s hippest parts of town, known for its lively bar and art scene.

A number of cultural festivals and events take place in Honolulu Chinatown. The Chinese Lunar New Year is marked annually with the Chinatown Festival and Parade, which includes lion dancers as well as food and craft vendors. Every month the First Friday Art Walk sees galleries and boutiques open late and parties stretch into the night.