From palaces to presidios: 5 places to visit to immerse yourself in the Asian and Pacific Islander experience
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate those who descended from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
In 2021, the celebration is particularly noteworthy amidst the increase in anti-AAPI hate crimes across the U.S.
There are many ways to recognize the rich history and culture of the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to America’s diversity. One of those ways is to visit one of the parks, memorials or historic sites spread across the U.S. that tell the stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
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While visiting a city’s AAPI district (i.e. Chinatown in New York or Japantown in Los Angeles) is an easy way to experience that subgroup’s culture, there are many places to immerse yourself that are under the radar.
Here are five of those lesser-known sites that you can visit this month, or any time of year.
Related: Review of Hotel 50 Bowery, a Hyatt hotel that pays tribute to its Chinatown neighborhood
In This Post
Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District
Where is it: Between the towns of Sunol and (Niles) Fremont, California
If you’ve ever taken a train that crisscrosses the continental U.S., it’s likely the hands of Chinese laborers that helped build it.
Completed in 1870, the Niles Canyon Historic District is the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad which provided the first-ever rail connection between the San Francisco Bay area and the rest of the U.S.
Thousands of Chinese laborers were forced to construct this section of the railroad and it’s considered to be one of the most significant engineering achievements of the 19th century.
Today, Niles Canyon is incredibly well preserved and is a transit lover’s dream. In fact, it’s one of the only remaining railroad corridors that has not been substantially altered for modern transportation projects.
Related: California dreaming? 10 cool towns to visit in the Golden State
Presidio of San Francisco, CA
Where is it: San Francisco, CA
The Presidio of San Francisco, now a park, is located at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay. It’s a major recreation hub with an idyllic setting near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge offering miles of trails, a golf course and various scenic overlooks.
Previously, the Presidio served as a military outpost, playing a pivotal role in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. In fact, this was the headquarters for the U.S. Army command responsible for forcibly removing 120,000 Japanese Americans and people of Japanese descent from their homes.
Related: 6 great road trips from San Francisco
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Where is it: Seattle, WA
The Wing Luke Museum is housed in a three-story building first built by Chinese immigrants in 1910. It has the distinction of being the only community-based museum in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to the history of AAPI immigrants.
Located in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown, the museum houses exhibits and art showcasing the history of immigrants to the area, including Bruce Lee memorabilia.
Seattle’s Chinatown, along with the surrounding neighborhoods, eventually became one of the most diverse immigrant communities in the U.S., with people from China, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and various Pacific Islands living together alongside African Americans.
Related: 8 fun things for families to do in Seattle
Iolani Palace
Where is it: Honolulu, HI
Hawaii was first settled by Polynesian voyagers in the 18th century before being exploited by U.S. interests.
The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the U.S. and acts as a symbol of the former Hawaiian kingdom before U.S. forces overthrew it in the late 1800s. The palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani.
The grounds around the palace are considered to be the site of an ancient heiau (place of worship). Today, the palace has been partially restored including the first and second floors, which are open to the public.
Related: I visited a reopened Kauai in Hawaii — 5 things to know before you go
Butte-Anaconda Historic District, Montana
Where is it: Butte, Anaconda and Walkerville, Montana
In its heyday in the early 1900s, this area of Montana produced one-third of the entire world’s copper and was one of the centers of the U.S. labor organizing movement.
Chinese immigrants played a huge role in mining, with their arrival in the Butte area in 1868. However, they were eventually forced out of the industry, as economic depression heightened anti-Chinese sentiment. As a result, Chinese immigrants began opening various businesses — from noodle parlors to laundry establishments — to support the local community (and themselves). Thus, a Chinese enclave began to form.
Today, the Butte-Anaconda Historic District is a well-preserved reminder of the town’s mining prosperity and highlights the Asian experience in Montana.
Interestingly, the Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte is not only still in the original building, but it’s also considered the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S.
Related: 6 of the best Colorado ski towns
Featured photo of Chinatown in New York City by Alexander Spatari/Getty Images.
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