Along a pedestrian walkway in Chinatown, you’ll find a larger than life statue of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.

Inside Chinatown’s Central Plaza, at the corner of Sun Mun Way and Jung Jing Road, a seven-foot tall bronze statue of martial arts star Bruce Lee stands, wielding his trademark nunchaku, in eternal vigil.

The statue was cast in Guangzhou, China by artist Zhong Zhiyuan and shipped to Los Angeles under the watch of Shannon Lee, the late star’s daughter. It was unveiled on June 15, 2013 amidst a crowd of Lee’s fans and admirers.

For five years, protected only by a temporary metal fence, it stood on a base that warned: “Keep Off Statue.” But in September 28, 2018, the statue was permanently installed on a permanent decorative pedestal (but still surrounded by that same metal fence).

The statue’s presence is a reflection of Lee’s Chinatown history. In the 1960s, he operated a martial arts studio on College Street, just a few blocks from where the statue stands guard, where he instructed students in the way of Jeet Kune Do, the fighting style and philosophy he developed.

Even if you’re not familiar with Bruce Lee or his film work, the statue is an impressive sight. The next time you’re in Chinatown, take a stroll through the Central Plaza and pay a short visit to honor Lee’s enduring legacy.

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Bruce Lee Statue

• Chinatown Central Plaza, 950 N. Broadway
• GPS: 34.065109, -118.237417 [ Google Maps ]
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