The Zanja Madre or "Mother Ditch" is a fragment of the city's original irrigation ditch. It was built in 1781 and its purpose was to carry water from the Los Angeles River up near Elysian Park into the city. In 1929, to show where the Zanja Madre brought the water to the pueblo of the city, its path was marked with diagonal brickwork which you can still see today as you walk down Olvera Street.
The day is easily spent in this part of Downtown Los Angeles. A major tourist destination, Chinatown is dotted with restaurants, shops and landmarks, and dozens of entertainment options. Quaint architecture on this strip is complemented by the presence of equally charming Chinese residents. Amble through the markets; stop by the herbal and grocery stores, or simply browse through the cartloads of household goods, toys, CDs, and other knick-knacks on display. Some of the items might raise a few eyebrows, the funeral accessories, for instance. Events, such as art gallery openings, tours and food festivals add to the razzmatazz. When its time to refuel try a meal at a seafood restaurant, or a traditional Chinese eating houses or one f the newer joints that serve American-Chinese.
This permanent exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center features an inside look the story of Noah's Ark. Here you climb inside the ark and set sail into your imagination with animals and puppets that have been created from recycled materials. This interactive ark invites you to load the animals, maintain the peace (by feeding and cleaning up after the beasties), and create a rainstorm. When your "voyage" has reached its end visitors walk into mist and sunshine, creating rainbows. Noah and his furry friends are usually booked up to a week in advance so check the website for ticket details.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is magnificently swanked by the Pavilion for Japanese Art. The pavilion is housed in the museum site and is a spectacular depiction of the Expressionism and the New Modernism styles of architecture. The site was built from 1978 through 1988. It is a strategic design and creation of ace architect Bruce Goff. The building is highly distinguished, and more so due to translucent fiberglass panels. It is a mammoth site that encompasses a total land cover of 32,100 square foot.
Political scientist, diplomat, academic and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize; Ralph J. Bunche was many things, and there is much that people would like to learn about him. The Ralph Bunche Peace & Heritage Center, which also happens to be his boyhood home, has been established with the purpose of satisfying such curiosity, as well as spreading the message of peace and harmony. The house museum and community center is home to memorabilia from his life, and also features oral history displays.