Chinatown in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago’s Chinatown
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
1. The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago’s Chinatown Marker
Ancient Chinese believed 9 to be the most prestigious number and dragon the soul of all things of creation. The Chinese people consider Dragon as the emblem of Chinese national spirit. Ancient Chinese emperors were even self-acclaimed as reincarnation of dragons. The emperors of Ming and Qing dynasty built the Nine Dragon Walls to show off the supremacy of the imperial power.
The Chicago Chinatown’s Nine Dragon Wall is the resemblance of the one in Beihai Park in Beijing. The magnificent Nine Dragon Wall is an excellent piece of traditional Chinese architecture. The nine bustling dragons vividly portray the sef-striving character of the Chinese all over the world.
The Nine Dragon Wall was established by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce on Sep. 9, 2003.
Erected 2003 by Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Asian Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1944.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago's Chinatown (here, next to this marker); Hilliard Towers Apartments (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confucius (about 800 feet away); Chinese American Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hilliard Apartments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ping Tom Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Hilliard Apartments (approx. ¼ mile away); White Castle #16 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. Based on Google Maps Street View, the marker appears to have been damaged (along with some of the surrounding fence) around 2018. It was replaced sometime in 2019 by a metallic sign of a different style with nearly (if not completely) identical text.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
2. The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago’s Chinatown Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025
3. The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago's Chinatown Marker
A new marker was erected to replace this one, sometime in 2019.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
4. Chicago’s Chinatown
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,202 times since then and 245 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
