Portsmouth Square is where San Francisco's heart beats a rhythm that's part history lesson, part community gathering, and entirely Chinatown. Known as the "living room" of Chinatown, this bustling square is where the city's foundations were laid, both literally and metaphorically. 

Here, you can watch elders perfect their Tai Chi moves, engage in intense games of Chinese chess, or simply soak up the stories of the Gold Rush days when this spot was the epicentre of wild hopes and wilder dreams. It's a place where every bench tells a story, every tree whispers history, and every visit feels like a page out of a novel yet to be written.

Best time/season to visit:
The square is a hive of activity all year round, but it truly comes to life during cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year, when dragons dance and the air is thick with the promise of fortune cookies.