Chicago Souvenir Shopping Guide on a Budget 🎁

Where there’s a Chinatown, there’s business! 🛍️ While souvenir shops at Chicago’s famous attractions are often overpriced with limited choices, Chinatown is a hidden gem 💎. For instance, the iconic Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) keychain sells for around $11 at tourist spots—but in Chinatown, it’s almost half the price! (I bought an extra one just to cope 😂) You’ll also find a much wider variety of magnets, souvenirs, and trinkets—most labeled “Made in China,” so why not get them where they’re cheaper? ✨ P.S. This tip also works for San Francisco’s Chinatown 😉 When it comes to food, Chinatown delivers! 🥢 Highly recommend Dolo Restaurant and Bar (2222 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616) for delicious Cantonese dim sum. Perfect for solo travelers who want to try more dishes—two small plates are plenty. Be ready to queue after 11 AM! Don’t miss the old-school bakeries 🥮 with pastries and cakes for just $2–3 (cash preferred). The pineapple bun cake is a unique must-try! Feeling trendy? Try the new drink at Jasmine Milk Tea 🥤… although my honest review is “it tastes like floral perfume” 🙊, but it’s super Instagrammable and super popular on weekends! Fun history moment 🧩: 1️⃣ There’s a highly detailed Nine-Dragon Wall in a parking lot—feels like being in Beijing! 🐉 2️⃣ When the Chinatown gate was built in the 80s with donations from the community, one idea was: “Let’s make it bigger and grander than San Francisco’s!” 🇨🇳 Typical competitive behavior (no shade 😂) #HiddenShoppingGems #JustLookingNotBuying #Chicago #Chinatown #ChineseCommunity #SanFrancisco #Souvenirs #StudentLifeAbroad