Chinatown, Winnipeg

Winnipeg’s Chinatown is a compact yet culturally rich neighbourhood located in the heart of downtown, bounded by Logan Avenue to the north, Main Street to the east, James Avenue to the south, and Princess Street to the west. Established in 1909 and officially recognized in 1968, it has served for over a century as a central hub for Chinese expatriates and the broader Chinese-Canadian community.

Chinatown is home to a variety of Asian grocery stores, herbal product shops, and restaurants. Notable businesses include Young’s Market, Sun Wah Supermarket, Nan Bei Hang Herbal Products Company, Sam Po Dim Sum Restaurant, Noodle Express, and Kum Koon Garden.

Modern-day Chinatown owes much of its structure to redevelopment efforts in the 1980s. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is the Dynasty Building at 180 King Street. Completed in 1987, this six-story, multi-use complex houses shops, banks, offices, and the Chinese Cultural and Community Centre-the only Chinese library in Manitoba. The building’s design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, particularly Beijing’s Hall and Gate of Supreme Harmony and the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Directly linked to the Dynasty Building is the iconic Chinatown Gate, which serves as a ceremonial entrance to the neighborhood. On the other side of the gate is the Mandarin Building at 223 James Avenue. Originally built in 1883 as the City Police Court, it once held jail cells and a courtroom. The building now showcases a replica of Beijing’s Imperial Nine Dragons mural.

While Winnipeg’s original Chinatown remains a cultural landmark, a newer de facto Chinatown has been emerging in the Fort Richmond area since 2021, where an increasing number of Chinese-Canadian businesses have been establishing themselves.

Together, these spaces reflect the evolving nature of Winnipeg’s Chinese community-balancing heritage with growth, tradition with transformation.