Calgary’s Chinatown neighbourhood is situated in the northern section of downtown Calgary, along Centre Street. Originally, Chinatown was closer to today’s Stephen Avenue, where it was set up by 50 Chinese pioneers looking for work. When the Great Fire of 1886 occurred, the original Chinatown was lost. The current location of Calgary’s Chinatown was determined in 1910, but very nearly did not get built. A delegation of Chinese Calgarians led by Ho Lem went to the city to discuss relocating, as the new CPR station would need the second iteration of Chinatown demolished.
It was a long and hard fought battle, but the Chinese delegation was able to convince the city to allow them to develop a lasting Chinatown.
Since its establishment in 1910, Calgary’s now permanent Chinatown has grown to support a diverse community in the face of adversity. In the 1960s, as the freeway and car culture became the preferred means of transportation, the City put forward a plan to build a freeway through downtown called the Downtown East- West Penetrator. The plan would have demolished much of Chinatown and Eau Claire, but thankfully failed thanks to an organized community organization named Sien Lok, the namesake for Sien Lok Park.
Along with Chinatown, there is an additional tour for the nearby East Village included in this brochure.