The 1987 Friendship Gate

The original Harbin Friendship Gate was a masterwork of traditional PaiFang aesthetics.

• The Origin: Officially opened in May 1987, it was a gift from our sister city, Harbin, modelled after the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing. It was built by a specialist team from China and funded through a historic collaboration between the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA), the City, and the Province.

• The Landmark: For 30 years, it anchored "Chinatown South" on 102nd Avenue, serving as a symbol of cultural ties and a gathering place for families to take photos and hold ceremonies.

• The Vigil: On January 21, 2017, hundreds gathered for a sombre candlelight vigil as the gate was surgically dismantled to make way for the Valley Line Southeast LRT. This moment forged a community promise: that the spirit of the 1987 gate would eventually return.