From http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/c/ch/chinatown_(washington,_dc)2.htm:
In 1986, the city dedicated the Friendship Archway, a traditional Chinese gate designed by local architect Alfred H. Liu. The colorful, $1 million work of (Click link for more info and facts about public art) public art includes 7 roofs up to 60 feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of the (The imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644) Ming and (The last imperial dynasty of China (from 1644 to 1912) which was overthrown by revolutionaries; during the Qing dynasty China was ruled by the Manchu) Qing Dynasties. Erected to celebrate friendship with Washington's (Click link for more info and facts about sister city) sister city of (Capital of the People's Republic of China in the Hebei province in northeastern China; 2nd largest Chinese city) Beijing, it was hoped the arch would reinforce the neighborhood's Chinese character.