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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.

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The Hull Block on 97 Street in 1916, with a streetcar passing in front
The Hull Block in 1916, now home of the CTC Storytelling Centre. Historic photo: McDermid Studio, 1916. Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, University of Calgary (NC-6-2382).

From Jasper Avenue to Today

  1. 1900sChinatown emerges around Jasper Avenue and 97 Street
  2. Early 1980sChinatown moves to 102 Avenue, forming heritage Chinatown South
  3. 1980s–1990sChinatown North takes shape along 97 Street
  4. 1987Harbin Gate is dedicated, marking Edmonton's sister-city relationship with Harbin
  5. 2016The Chinatown Conference brings representatives of 10 North American Chinatowns to Edmonton
  6. 2017The Chinatown Strategy is completed and presented to City Council's Executive Committee; Harbin Gate is dismantled for Valley Line LRT construction
  7. 2018Community leaders propose the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative to lead implementation
  8. 2026Construction of a new Chinatown gate begins on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and 101A Avenue, where Chinatown began
  9. 2026CTC 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
Edmonton's two Chinatown districts Schematic map, not to scale. Chinatown North runs along 97 Street from about 105 Avenue to 107A Avenue, with the Gate of Happy Arrival at 107A Avenue and the Hull Block at 106 Avenue. Chinatown South is on 102 Avenue between 95 and 97 Street, where the Harbin Gate stood from 1987 to 2017. The new Chinatown Gate is on 97 Street at Jasper Avenue. Jasper Avenue102 Avenue 105 Avenue107A Avenue 95 Street97 Street ChinatownNorth ChinatownSouth Gate of Happy Arrival Hull Block, CTC Storytelling Centre Harbin Gate, 1987 to 2017 New Chinatown Gate, opening 2027
Edmonton's two Chinatown districts. Not to scale.

Two Distinct Districts

Chinatown South

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.

Chinatown North

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.

100+years since Chinatown emerged around Jasper Avenue and 97 Street

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.

Explore the Chinatown Strategy

The Chinatown Strategy is community-driven and enabled.

City of Edmonton, The Chinatown Strategy (2017), page 4

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Rendering of the new Chinatown gate on 97 Street

Harbin Gate and Landmarks

Follow the history of Harbin Gate and construction of the new Chinatown gate on 97 Street, where Edmonton's Chinatown began.

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The restored Hull Block on 97 Street, home of the CTC Storytelling Centre

Stories

Read oral histories and profiles of the people, families and businesses of Edmonton's Chinatown.

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