The Chinatown Dragon I Never Forgot
One childhood vacation photo. One enormous dragon. More than four decades later, I am still trying to discover exactly where it stood—and whether it still exists today.
Where Was This Dragon in San Francisco Chinatown?
I do not know the exact location yet.
What I do know is that I photographed this giant decorative dragon during my first childhood visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1983, and the photograph contains architectural details that may eventually help identify where it stood.
Throwback Thursday takes us back to 1983 and my first visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown—where one enormous, colorful dragon captured my attention and left me with a mystery more than four decades later.
I do not yet know the name of the building, restaurant, shop or organization associated with it.
I also have not confirmed whether the dragon still exists, was relocated or was eventually removed.
Rather than guess at its identity and accidentally turn a childhood memory into incorrect San Francisco history, I am sharing the photograph and what I remember in hopes that someone else may recognize it.
What Do We Know About This San Francisco Chinatown Dragon?
San Francisco Chinatown in 1983
Some childhood vacation memories fade with time.
Others stay tucked away in the back of your mind until an old photograph suddenly brings them rushing back.
In 1983, I visited San Francisco’s Chinatown for the first time.
I was still a kid, and somewhere during that visit I encountered something I have never completely forgotten: this incredible, larger-than-life dragon.
To my childhood eyes, it was enormous.
I remember being fascinated by its oversized eyes, elaborate decorations, brilliant colors and incredibly long, curling whiskers.
There was so much to look at that I am sure I noticed very little about the architecture or surroundings.
My attention was completely captured by that wonderfully dramatic face.
The Details My Younger Self Probably Missed
Looking at the photograph today, I find myself studying everything around the dragon.
There are balconies, railings, columns, decorative lights and other architectural elements surrounding the display.
Those details may ultimately be more important than the dragon itself when it comes to identifying the location.
What was once simply a childhood vacation photo has become a small piece of visual evidence.
Where Exactly Was This Photograph Taken?
The exact location of the dragon remains unknown.
I know the photograph was taken during our Chinatown visit in 1983, but I do not have a street name, business name or other identifying information written with the photograph.
More than four decades later, that old vacation photograph has turned into a travel mystery.
San Francisco Travel’s current Chinatown guide describes a neighborhood filled with ornate architecture, historic streets, shops, restaurants and cultural landmarks.
Grant Avenue remains one of its best-known commercial streets, while places such as Waverly Place, Stockton Street and Portsmouth Square remain important parts of the neighborhood.
Whether any of those places has a connection to my 1983 photograph is something I still need to prove.
What Clues Can We See in the 1983 Photo?
Since I do not have a written location, the photograph itself is the best evidence I have.
Several details may help someone familiar with Chinatown in the 1970s or 1980s identify the location.
If someone has another photograph from approximately the same period, even one small background detail could provide the clue that finally identifies the location.
Help Me Identify This Chinatown Dragon
Did you visit San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s? Do you remember seeing this dragon?
Maybe you recognize the dragon itself.
Perhaps the balcony, railings or architecture in the background look familiar.
You might even have an old vacation photograph of your own taken in the same place.
If you know where this dragon was located in 1983, what building or business it belonged to, or what eventually happened to it, I would love to hear from you.
Does the San Francisco Chinatown Dragon Still Exist?
I have not yet been able to confirm whether this particular dragon still exists.
It could have been removed when a business closed or remodeled.
It might have been placed in storage, sold, relocated or acquired by another business or organization.
It is also possible that it remained in Chinatown in some form.
Until I can document its original location, however, I do not want to speculate about what happened to it.
For now, all I can say with certainty is that I photographed it during our Chinatown visit in 1983.
But I would love to solve the mystery.
Could I Find the Dragon on a Return Trip to San Francisco?
There would be something wonderfully full-circle about returning to Chinatown with this 1983 photograph in hand and searching for the dragon that fascinated me as a kid.
I would start by walking the neighborhood slowly and comparing the photograph with older buildings, balconies and architectural details.
I would also want to talk with longtime business owners, residents and organizations familiar with Chinatown’s history.
If you are planning your own San Francisco visit, Chinatown is easy to combine with another piece of the city’s history.
My San Francisco cable car guide explains the three current lines, including routes that provide access to Chinatown.
What This Old Photo Taught Me About Travel Photography
Travel photography preserves much more than a destination. It also preserves pieces of our own history.
When this picture was taken, I certainly was not thinking about documenting a place for people to see decades later.
I was simply a kid on vacation, fascinated by a giant dragon in San Francisco.
Today, I would approach the same scene very differently.
I would photograph the dragon from multiple angles.
I would document the entire building.
I would photograph signs, neighboring storefronts, street names and any other identifying details.
I would probably want to know its story before I ever left Chinatown.
That is one of the wonderful things about revisiting childhood travel photographs: they show us not only how destinations have changed, but also how we have changed as travelers and photographers.
And if I eventually find this dragon again? You can be certain I’m taking another picture.
San Francisco Chinatown Dragon FAQ
Where was this dragon located in San Francisco Chinatown?
I have not yet confirmed the exact location. The photograph was taken during my family’s visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1983, but I do not have a business name or street address associated with the image.
Does the dragon still exist today?
I do not currently know. One of the reasons I am publishing this photograph is to see whether longtime San Francisco residents, Chinatown visitors or people with older photographs recognize it and know what happened to it.
When was the photograph taken?
The photograph was taken in 1983 during my first childhood visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown.
What details might help identify the dragon?
The photograph shows the dragon along with balconies, railings, columns, lights and surrounding architectural details. Comparing those features with historic Chinatown photographs may eventually help identify the building or business where it was displayed.
How can readers help solve the mystery?
If you recognize the dragon, remember seeing it during the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s, know what business displayed it, or have another photograph showing the same location, please leave a comment with whatever details you remember.
Help Me Solve This San Francisco Chinatown Mystery
Do you recognize this dragon?
If you saw it during a visit to San Francisco’s Chinatown, know where it was displayed in 1983 or know whether it still exists today, please leave a comment below.
Even a small detail could help identify its original location.
And if you have an old photograph of the same dragon tucked away in a family photo album, I would especially love to know about it.
Until then, this colorful character remains one of the most intriguing mysteries from my childhood travels—and a very good reason to return to San Francisco and see what I can discover.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
