china alley historic district

Taoist Temple is interesting and open especially during the October Moon Festival. Open at other times also but not daily. Tea Room is nice. Renovations are ongoing in some of the shops.Go during the Moon Festival at least. Shuttles go between Renaissance Fair and the Moon Festival on the first Saturday of October.

We were delighted to find this in our guidebook -- it's a rare little gem, the remnants of a once-thriving 19th century Chinese neighborhood. Lovingly maintained now by a small band of dedicated volunteers, it's worth a visit if you're in the area. You can see the few remaining buildings and get a sense of immigrant life in the early years of California's growth. The Taoist Temple is preserved as if the worshippers just left. NOTE: It's only open on the first Saturday of the month or by appointment. From the website: China Alley in Hanford, California is short street featuring eleven historic buildings near Seventh and Green Streets in downtown Hanford. The alley entrance is on Green Street just north of Seventh Street.China Alley in Hanford, California traces its roots to 1877, when the Central Pacific railroad was extended westward into the area and the new town of Hanford was formed. Numerous Chinese came to the area, many initially to help build the railroads, but others came for farming and agricultural purposes.The alley grew rapidly and the Chinatown prospered to include restaurants, homes, boarding houses, grocery stores, laundries, herb shops with reputable herbal doctors, sundries stores, gambling establishments, a Chinese school and a Taoist Temple. It soon became known as a "city within a city" with buildings lining both sides of the alley made from bricks formed and fired on site.