You’re now standing in front of one of the most legendary movie landmarks in the world: the TCL Chinese Theatre, which opened in 1927 under the vision of Sid Grauman, already famous for creating Hollywood’s grand “movie palaces.” His ambition was bold and simple: to build the most spectacular theater in the world. The result is a façade inspired by Chinese temples, a towering 27-meter-high pagoda, stone lions imported from China, sculpted dragons, and even authentic bells brought from Asia. On opening night, for the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings, crowds of thousands poured onto Hollywood Boulevard—one of the most spectacular cinema openings in Hollywood history. But what truly makes the theater unique is the courtyard in front of you, the Forecourt of the Stars. Since 1927, nearly 200 celebrities have left handprints, footprints, or even unusual objects: Harold Lloyd’s glasses, Groucho Marx’s cigar, Harry Potter’s wand, cowboy boots, and even Herbie the Love Bug’s tires. The tradition supposedly started by accident, when an actress stepped into wet concrete on the construction site—and Sid Grauman immediately recognized its genius. The theater also hosted three Academy Awards ceremonies in the 40s, before the Oscars moved permanently next door to the Dolby Theatre. Inside, the décor is just as breathtaking: red and gold ceilings, lanterns, silver dragons, and now one of the largest IMAX screens in the world, stretching nearly 30 meters wide. For almost a century, the Chinese Theatre has been the site of the biggest premieres, from Star Wars to Oppenheimer, and remains a must-see for any film lover. Walking here, you’re tracing the path of Hollywood’s cinematic past. If you’d like to go inside, you have two options: catch a film in one of the cinema’s theaters or take a guided tour.