San Francisco's Chinatown is a bit of a paradox. A tourist trap, sure. Yet it's still the heart of San Francisco's Chinese community, with its fresh food markets packed with residents.

Historian and architect Philip Choy grew up there. And now he's written a new book: "San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to its History and Architecture."

Choy says he sees his book as a guide for tourists, but also as a way for Chinese Americans to learn about their rich architectural heritage.

KQED's Cy Musiker met Choy in front of the Chinese Historical Society, designed by famed architect Julia Morgan, to talk about the book and Chinatown's history.