My friend Diane and I took the Gold Line from Pasadena to Los Angeles' Chinatown. Fare: 55 cents each way for us older people. Photo: the Chinatown station.

We had a bit of a walk to where our "Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour" was to begin (given the first Saturday of each month: chinatownla.com). We got a good view of the LA City Hall from here.

The Chinatown Gateway. The dragons are ushering in good luck and harmony. I have been to Chinatown numerous times but, after taking this tour, I realize I have just going to the same small area of Chinatown numerous times. I have never been at this end (or beginning) of it.

The dragons are going after the pearl in the center.

Closer-up.

More closer-up.

A door guard at the Cathy Manor, a senior citizens home, where the tour met.

The guard at the other door.

Several people were doing tai chi in the manor's courtyard.

This man was excellent at tai chi.

A true master ...

... making it look so easy.

We started our tour. There were about 15 of us on it. We first walked along Broadway. This market was very popular with shoppers.

The market. The best time to go to Chinatown is in the morning when the Chinese are shopping, before the tourists arrive.

The market.

Crossing the street.

The Merry Spa Foot Massage.

This scene really surpised me--almost a scene in some South Asian countries where much is sold this way on the street, but seldom seen in LA.

She made a sale.

A chicken on top of the Peking Poultry Store.

Both fresh and live chickens--white, brown, old, and roosters-- are sold here along with rabbits, Peking ducks, and pheasants. Notice that the signs are only in English and Spanish with no Chinese.

Direction sign--very helpful.

Chinatown billboard.

Tea, etc., store.

Tea.

Still the Year of the Snake. Chinese New Year is on January 31 and then it will be the Year of the Horse.

Hong Kong B.B.Q.

Chinatown street.

Chinese store.

The Laughing Buddha.

Ceremonial store, selling items for Chinese New Year.

Inside a ceremonial store.

Inside a ceremonial store.

Inside a ceremonial store. The cat waves its arm up and down and is for good luck.

For Chinese New Year.

Chinese herb store.

Next, we walked through the Dynasty Center where a ton of discount items are sold.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

At Dynasty Center.

Packaged street food.

Dragon fruit and guavas. We seldom see dragon fruit in our regular markets, so this is where to buy it.

Freshly made egg rolls. We stopped long enough to eat some. Delicious.

Chinatown street scene.

Street mural: "Palace in Heaven," a scene about a monkey king.

"Palace in Heaven" mural close-up.

"Palace in Heaven" mural close-up.

"Palace in Heaven" mural close-up.

"Palace in Heaven" mural close-up.

"Four Beauties Catching Fish" mural.

There a number of Chinese benevolent associations, this one was established in 1889. The associations help new immigrants get settled in their new home.

A female Fu dog, keeping evil spirits from entering the building. Females have a baby under their foot or somewhere on their body.

A male Fu dog. The male dog has a ball under its foot. The Fu dogs are used as a pair.

Another benevolent association.

A Chinese bank.

The whole area of Chinatown is the New Chinatown. The Old Chinatown was established in the last half of the 19th century but the city wanted the land it was on to build Union Station, so the Chinese were forced to find a new place for Chinatown. New Chinatown is not very far away from the Old Chinatown.

We are now in the area where most tourists visit, including me.

Bruce Lee statue. Bruce Lee lived here in Chinatown before he was "discovered."

I guess there is an issue of keeping this statue here.

I had to look this up--it's an internet game " focusing on the combat of 'Kahunas' using thrown shrunken heads, riding animals, staffs, or using spells."

Central Plaza.

Central Plaza.

Central Plaza.

Central Plaza.

Notice that the Republic of China flag is flown here.

Central Plaza.

Central Plaza.

Men involved in a gambling game.

Gate of Filial Piety, Central Plaza. Our tour group.

Statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founding father of the Republic of China.

Close-up.

Central Plaza.

Chinese Celestial Dragon mural, 1941, restored 1984, on the side of the building.

Fortune telling here.

Another benevolent society.

Central Plaza.

Sign in Central Plaza.

Tourists in front of the Chinese Wishing Well.

The Chinese Wishing Well, a replica of the Seven Star Cavern, a limestone cave complex in Guilin, China.

Wealth and Prosperity on this side.

The Laughing Buddha.

A Vietnamese cafe in Central Plaza.

Shaved ice sold here.

Creamy shaved snow with mango, strawberry, and chocolate.

Green tea shaved snow with red bean, mochi, and condensed milk.

An old woman in Central Plaza.

We had a break with enough time to look around this store in Central Plaza.

For sale here.

Inside the store.

Its ceiling.

Beautifully decorated beams.

Items for sale.

Pig for sale.

This store had a very interesting collection of books. "Wisdom."

"Awakenings."

"Devotions."

"Offerings."

"The Path of Virtue."

"The Way of the Buddha."

"Feng Shui Garden Design."

And the best one, "All the Tea in China."

A whole selection of Fortune and Feng Shui for astrological signs under which one was born.

Also, cute dolls for sale.