Photos

Montreal's chinatown is relatively small but is still interesting. Chinatown’s origins date from the 1860s, when Chinese immigrants came to work in the mines and on the railroads. They settled downtown, mainly along de La Gauchetière Street near Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Today the district is less residential than commercial but it has retained its Asian flavour. The Chinese community continues to shop and celebrate traditional festivals and holidays here.

The streets, always bustling, are designed for pedestrian traffic; it is easy to imagine oneself in a small town in China. The narrow streets are also lined with shops selling exotic foods, traditional crafts, martial arts accessories, herbs and natural medicines, and even Asian medical services and acupuncture. The large arches at the entrance to the district and the pagodas on the Holiday Inn Select Montréal Centre-Ville roof recall traditional Chinese architecture. The arches are replicas of Chinese imperial gates. From Sun Yat-Sen (corner of Clark and de La Gauchetière Streets), which honours the renowned philosopher and political figure recognized as the father of modern China, visitors can rest and watch the endlessly busy street life.