Designed by architect Peter Fung and modeled after a wall in Beijing, Chinatown's landmark gateway was installed in 1975. Since refurbished, the Chinatown Gate marks the entrance to the heart of Chicago's Chinatown, with its numerous shops, restaurants, churches, grocers and bakeries.

The four large Chinese characters near the top of the gate translate into "the world belongs to the commonwealth", which was a famous saying in the early part of the 1900's and reflects the spirit and determination of the Chinese people.