A walking guide to the attractions in the International District

Felicia Ishino-Richardson
Daily Staff

1. Wing Luke Asian Museum
407 Seventh Avenue South

The only pan-Asian museum in the country devoted to the collection, preservation and display of Asian- and Asian Pacific-American culture, history and art. See accompanying story.

2. Northwest Asian American Theatre
409 Seventh Avenue South

An Asian American theater supporting the work of Asian-American performers, and providing Seattle with a performing arts center. See accompanying story.

3. Yick Fung Co.
705 South King Street

Established in 1913, this company worked with steamships that brought Chinese immigrants to Seattle before World War II. It is one of the oldest running businesses in Seattle.

4. Bing Kung Association
704-710 South King Street

Prior to the 1900s, this "secret society" provided services and protection to its members. Today this organization is a social gathering place for older Chinese Americans.

5. Tsue Chong Noodle Co.
801-811 South King Street

Founded in 1917, this company makes 19 different kinds of noodles and fortune cookies.

6. Canton Alley
This alley sits behind the China Gate Restaurant

Early Chinese businesses were operated in this alley, which now serves as the location for a number of apartments and social service agencies.

7. International Children's Park
Seventh Avenue South & South Lane Street

Constructed in 1981, this park combines traditional and contemporary Asian influences into its design.

8. Chong Wa Benevolent Association
522 Seventh Avenue South

This association offers lessons in Chinese language and cultural activities.

9. China Gate Restaurant
514-518 Seventh Avenue South

Built in 1924 and originally a Chinese opera house, this restaurant eventually became one of Seattle's most popular night clubs, often featuring African-American jazz musicians.

10. Gee How Oak Tin Family Association
519 Seventh Avenue South

This organization, formed in 1900, provides housing, cultural activities and other services its members, who share the same surnames.

11. Luck Ngi Musical Club
512 Seventh Avenue South

In 1938 this organization was founded to support various community causes, such as Chinese opera.

12. Chinese Community Bulletin Board
511 Seventh Avenue South

This bulletin board served as the only form of written communication for non-English speakers during a time when no Chinese language newspapers existed.

13. Milwaukee Hotel
664-676 South King Street

This hotel, built in 1911, was aimed at luring the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

14. Wa Sang Groceries
663 South King Street

This family-run grocery store, which was established in 1928 by Chinese immigrants, supplies fresh produce to local restaurants.

15. Tai Tung Restaurant
655 South King Street

The oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the International District.

16. Re-New Cleaners
505 Maynard Avenue South

This cleaners, established in 1940, is the last Chinese hand laundry in
the International District.

17. Star Tofu Mfg. Co.
608 South Weller Street

This tofu manufacturing company has been running since 1970, supplying freshly made tofu to local restaurants and walk-in customers.

18. Uwajimaya, Inc.
519 Sixth Avenue South

Originally a fish market (built in 1928), this store has become one the largest Asian grocery and gift stores in the Pacific Northwest. See accompanying article.

19 United Savings & Loan Bank
601 South Jackson Street

Established in 1960, this bank was the first Asian-American-owned savings and loan institution in the United States.

20. Higo Variety Store
602-608 South Jackson Street

This store, started in the early 1900s, is one of the few pre-World War II establishments left.

21. N.P. Hotel
306 Sixth Avenue South

This hotel, built in 1914, is one of Seattle's most historic landmarks from pre-World War II Japantown.

22. Main Street School Annex
307 Sixth Avenue South

This building served as a public school, for teaching English to Chinese and Japanese children in the early 1900s.

23. Danny Woo International District Community Garden
Maynard Avenue South & South Main Street

Created by volunteers in 1975, this garden provides elderly residents with plots of land to grow their own foods.

24. Nippon Kan Theatre
628 South Washington Street

This theater, built in 1909, was the community center for local Japanese residents.

25. Bush Hotel
615-627 South Jackson Street

Built in 1915, the hotel serves as low-income housing and offers various community services. See accompanying article.

26. Tsutakawa Sculpture
Maynard Avenue South & South Jackson Street

In 1978 this 14-foot sculpture was created by artist George Tsutakawa and is titled "Heaven, Man, Earth."

27. Hing Hay Park
Maynard Avenue South & South King Street

This park, constructed in 1975, holds outdoor events, such as the International District Summer Festival.

28. King Street Southern Baptist Church
925 South King Street

In 1922, this building was built as a Chinese Baptist church and now serves as the King Street Southern Baptist Church.

29. Viet Wah Supermarket
1035 South Jackson Street

A Chinese refugee from Vietnam, Duc Tran, started this supermarket in 1988. It is the largest Southeast-Asian supermarket in Seattle.