The discovery of gold in 1851 attracted Chinese immigration to Victoria. Ships sailed to Australia from Hong Kong with their cargo of men who had come in search of the new gold fields. From 1853-5, thousands of Chinese disembarked here. Very few Chinese women came to Australia during this period so by 1861, 38,000+ Chinese largely men lived in the colonies. Thank you Chinese-Australian Historical Images
Little Bourke St, Melbourne
The burgeoning Chinese community in Little Bourke St provided for all the diggers’ needs; lodging houses en route to the goldfields were quickly joined by merchants and provisions shops, food, equipment and medicine. In the 1860s many Chinese district associations began to purchase land in Little Bourke St to build clubrooms which served as Chinese community meeting places. From there business, social and clan networks spread out.
Chinatown experienced a growth stage from the early 1870s. As the diggings emptied, those who didn’t return to China went back to Melbourne which provided their only community. They found work and established businesses to cater for the local Chinese and non Chinese markets. The 1880s saw booming industry in Marvellous Melbourne.
The new labour laws combined with the White Australia Policy introduced in 1901 plunged Chinatown into darkness. It was no longer the residential haven for the Chinese, as the population declined along with business. When the government eased immigration laws in 1947 Chinatown revived itself again, spreading its population over Melbourne. As a result Chinatown remains an important social and economic centre for the Chinese Community and proudly stands as one of the City’s most popular venues.
Chinatown now extends along Little Bourke St between Swanston and Spring Sts. Its cabinet makers and lodging houses are long gone but eateries and top class restaurants now take their place with the streetscape and its low-rise brick buildings, retaining its historic character. Plus each year there are many traditional festivals, making Chinatown a popular city destination for local and international visitors.
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By the 1940s and 1950s the Chinatown area was looking endangered. From the 1950s, some of Melbourne's major department stores, which fronted Bourke St, expanded by taking up the whole block; many of the smaller buildings on one side of Little Bourke St were demolished. However in the 1960s, in a spirit of nostalgia and inspired by the tourist dollars that were being made in San Francisco's Chinatown, Chinatown entrepreneur-City Councillor David Neng-Hsiang Wang persuaded the Melbourne City Council to embark on a radical redevelopment of the area, starting with archways constructed at the ends of Little Bourke Street. Emotional support from the Chinese community was mixed.
The refurbishment of the 5 key arches was an important statement of the City’s commitment to Chinatown. The arches have been restored to their former glory with added modern touches including red neon lighting on the columns. The arches clearly announce the entrance to Chinatown.
Melbourne’s Chinatown says it is the longest continuous Chinese settlement outside of Asia. Its essential character and main focus is along Little Bourke St, including the laneways and alleys which link the area to Bourke St and Lonsdale St. The heritage streetscape has been well preserved, with few buildings reaching over three storeys in height. The area is dominated by restaurants from fine dining to laneway and arcade noodle houses, and is home to a number of Asian grocery stores, Chinese medicine and herbalist centres, bookstores, fashion shops and other retail outlets in arcades like Paramount Plaza. This Chinatown is truly cosmopolitan with cuisines including Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Contemporary European.
Improving the streetscapes and atmosphere in Chinatown has been a priority, including kerb widening, bluestone paving, bright street lighting combined with neon signage, creating a distinctive night-time atmosphere. The refurbishment of Chinatown’s five key arches is an important statement of the City’s commitment to Chinatown. The tall, striking and neon lit arches clearly welcome arrivals.
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A magnificent archway was handmade in China according to traditional techniques and materials. It was shipped to Melbourne in pieces and assembled in Cohen Place under the supervision of highly skilled Chinese craftworkers. It’s the perfect backdrop for photographs and the main entrance to Cohen Place, Chinatown Square and the Chinese Museum of Australian History in Cohen Place established. These redevelopments incorporate greening, lantern lighting, rock sculptures and seats. The beautiful refurbishment of the Facing Heaven archway is the great backdrop for photos.
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Chinatown experienced a growth stage from the early 1870s. As the diggings emptied, those who didn’t return to China went back to Melbourne which provided their only community. They found work and established businesses to cater for the local Chinese and non Chinese markets. The 1880s saw booming industry in Marvellous Melbourne.
The new labour laws combined with the White Australia Policy introduced in 1901 plunged Chinatown into darkness. It was no longer the residential haven for the Chinese, as the population declined along with business. When the government eased immigration laws in 1947 Chinatown revived itself again, spreading its population over Melbourne. As a result Chinatown remains an important social and economic centre for the Chinese Community and proudly stands as one of the City’s most popular venues.
Chinatown now extends along Little Bourke St between Swanston and Spring Sts. Its cabinet makers and lodging houses are long gone but eateries and top class restaurants now take their place with the streetscape and its low-rise brick buildings, retaining its historic character. Plus each year there are many traditional festivals, making Chinatown a popular city destination for local and international visitors.
the Chinese arch, Cohen Place
By the 1940s and 1950s the Chinatown area was looking endangered. From the 1950s, some of Melbourne's major department stores, which fronted Bourke St, expanded by taking up the whole block; many of the smaller buildings on one side of Little Bourke St were demolished. However in the 1960s, in a spirit of nostalgia and inspired by the tourist dollars that were being made in San Francisco's Chinatown, Chinatown entrepreneur-City Councillor David Neng-Hsiang Wang persuaded the Melbourne City Council to embark on a radical redevelopment of the area, starting with archways constructed at the ends of Little Bourke Street. Emotional support from the Chinese community was mixed.
The refurbishment of the 5 key arches was an important statement of the City’s commitment to Chinatown. The arches have been restored to their former glory with added modern touches including red neon lighting on the columns. The arches clearly announce the entrance to Chinatown.
Melbourne’s Chinatown says it is the longest continuous Chinese settlement outside of Asia. Its essential character and main focus is along Little Bourke St, including the laneways and alleys which link the area to Bourke St and Lonsdale St. The heritage streetscape has been well preserved, with few buildings reaching over three storeys in height. The area is dominated by restaurants from fine dining to laneway and arcade noodle houses, and is home to a number of Asian grocery stores, Chinese medicine and herbalist centres, bookstores, fashion shops and other retail outlets in arcades like Paramount Plaza. This Chinatown is truly cosmopolitan with cuisines including Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Contemporary European.
Improving the streetscapes and atmosphere in Chinatown has been a priority, including kerb widening, bluestone paving, bright street lighting combined with neon signage, creating a distinctive night-time atmosphere. The refurbishment of Chinatown’s five key arches is an important statement of the City’s commitment to Chinatown. The tall, striking and neon lit arches clearly welcome arrivals.
front of Chinese Museum of Australian History
Chinese Museum's collections
Chinese Dragon Puppet Workshop
Tianjin Garden marks the eastern Spring St entrance of China-town. This is an important icon that was created by Tianjin & Melbourne designers, offering an area with water features, pavilion and seating space for office workers and visitors.