USC Pacific Asia Museum

Operated by the University of Southern California, the museum centers on an open design reminiscent of courtyards with stone stairwells in eastern China. At its heart sits a free-to-visit garden featuring two ponds and stones from Lake Tai, offering a calm pocket to sit with coffee or pastries before heading inside. The galleries trace broader cultural histories alongside contemporary perspectives, pairing traditional heritage with exhibitions that interpret folklore—such as mythical beasts—into metaphors for immigrant family journeys.