Christine Sterling, who worked on the conversion of a neglected street into the Mexican-themed Olvera Street, conceived of a similar plan for the displaced Chinese American population.
In 1938, she opened China City, a walled enclave bounded by Main, Ord, Spring, and Macy (now Cesar Chavez), featuring Chinese-style architecture, restaurants, shops, rickshaw rides, a lotus pond, and a temple.
Costumed workers greeted tourists, and a Chinese opera troupe performed live shows in front of the shops.
Some replica buildings in China City came from the set of the 1937 Hollywood blockbuster, The Good Earth.

China City received mixed support from Chinese American residents and businessmen.
Many welcomed the economic opportunity the project provided.
Others preferred the New Chinatown project, considered less distorted by the stereotyping lens of Hollywood.
During its eleven-year existence, China City was destroyed by fire and rebuilt numerous times.
In 1949, an act of arson destroyed China City.
Christine Sterling, who worked on the conversion of a neglected street into the Mexican-themed Olvera Street, conceived of a similar plan for the displaced Chinese American population. In 1938, she opened China City, a walled enclave bounded by Main, Ord, Spring, and Macy (now Cesar Chavez), featuring Chinese-style architecture, restaurants, shops, rickshaw rides, a lotus pond, and a temple. Costumed workers greeted tourists, and a Chinese opera troupe performed live shows in front of the shops. Some replica buildings in China City came from the set of the 1937 Hollywood blockbuster, The Good Earth. 
China City received mixed support from Chinese American residents and businessmen. Many welcomed the economic opportunity the project provided. Others preferred the New Chinatown project, considered less distorted by the stereotyping lens of Hollywood. During its eleven-year existence, China City was destroyed by fire and rebuilt numerous times. In 1949, an act of arson destroyed China City.
Chinatown, Los Angeles