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Chinatown's Story
Edmonton's Chinatown, history and development: document how Chinatown emerged, moved and evolved, and why its future matters to the Edmonton region.
Edmonton's original Chinatown emerged more than 100 years ago in the area around Jasper Avenue and 97 Street, where a number of merchants established businesses to cater to a small but growing Chinese population.
The construction of Canada Place and surrounding development in the 1970s triggered the movement of Chinatown to 102 Avenue, between 95 and 97 Street, in the early 1980s. This area is now commonly referred to as heritage Chinatown South. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Chinatown South established entities to support cultural and social life, including several seniors housing projects, the Chinatown Multicultural Centre and the dedication of Harbin Gate in 1987.
During the same period, businesses began to locate a few blocks further north along 97 Street, giving rise to a second concentration of Chinese commercial establishments known today as Chinatown North. Though the two areas are separated by only a few blocks, the division is accentuated by large institutional uses and the 97 Street rail bridge. Both remain integral assets to the Chinese community and to the Edmonton region.
Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1900s | Chinatown emerges around Jasper Avenue and 97 Street |
| Early 1980s | Chinatown moves to 102 Avenue, forming heritage Chinatown South |
| 1980s–1990s | Chinatown North takes shape along 97 Street |
| 1987 | Harbin Gate is dedicated, marking Edmonton's sister-city relationship with Harbin |
| 2016 | The Chinatown Conference brings representatives of 10 North American Chinatowns to Edmonton |
| 2017 | The Chinatown Strategy is completed and presented to City Council's Executive Committee; Harbin Gate is dismantled for Valley Line LRT construction |
| 2018 | Community leaders propose the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative to lead implementation |
| 2026 | Construction of a new Chinatown gate begins on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and 101A Avenue, where Chinatown began |
| 2026 | CTC and the University of Alberta host the International Chinatown Conference in Edmonton (September 26–30), with 350+ attendees, 70+ speakers and 18 universities from nine countries |
Chinatown today faces challenges and opportunities shaped by two distinct districts, changing consumer preferences and the growth of a changing downtown. Understanding this history is the first step toward a prosperous, economically resilient Chinatown.