“Behind the Chinatown of Tourists” is a series of books that are based on the history of San Francisco’s Chinatown and the mysteries of the place. Composed of two books, a coffee table book, and a set of cards that are a companion element. This project focuses on the community that is often overlooked by tourists when they visit the first Chinatown in the United States. Looking at the street that runs parallel to the main Chinatown street, this book showcases the residential-focused community area.
Expressing the history of the first Chinatown and the history of some of the buildings and using photography on a spread depicts a mirror of the area. It is a book that tells the story of the past and the present of Chinatown. An introductory section of the companion book is inserted inside the main book.
Jacket of the book opened up. Revealing a photograph taken in Chinatown
Book with the jacket placed on.
Scavenger Hunt, using the hashtag “#mysterychinatown”, is a set of cards that makes this project more interactive by making the reader be part of the book. This set of cards carries special instructions on it.
With the current situation of the pandemic and the loss of community from this place due to the hate crimes, “Behind the Chinatown of Tourists” and its scavenger hunt set of cards companion invites the readers to adventure themselves throughout Chinatown and to bring that sense of community once again.
