Located on New Peachtree Road near Buford Highway in Chamblee, the story behind Atlanta Chinatown Mall is a unique one in relation to the emergence of Chinatowns established in cities across the United States over the last century. Unlike other such neighborhoods, created as designated spaces or born from immigrant communities settling there, Atlanta Chinatown was founded in 1988 as an “instant” Chinatown, built as a space catering to metro Atlanta’s burgeoning Chinese and Asian communities.
Stepping through the main entrance, reminiscent of a Qin or Han dynasty palace flanked by guardian lions, Atlanta Chinatown is a blend of traditional and contemporary elements in both design and offerings. At its core, the mall functions as a multifaceted community hub, punctuated by a food court as the centerpiece of the sprawling retail complex. With full-service dim sum restaurant Oriental Pearl anchoring the property to the north, businesses at Atlanta Chinatown include everything from a bookstore, a grocery, and beauty supply shops to tea shops, a Chinese bakery, and even legal, CPA, and translation services.
Atlanta Chinatown
Jae V/Yelp
A serene outdoor courtyard is designed in the style of a traditional Chinese garden, complete with bodhisattvas sculptures, red lanterns, and seating areas meant for reflection. One of Atlanta’s biggest and most beloved Chinese New Year celebrations typically takes place at Atlanta Chinatown.
But the food court at Atlanta Chinatown is its greatest treasure, with stalls serving a range of traditional and regional Chinese dishes all under one roof. It can be difficult to choose just what to eat, especially for first-time visitors overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices found on the menus at the…
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