Montreal Chinatown is clearly marked with its paifang gates which are on Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

The Chinese community were a sought-after workforce during the construction of the railway system.  They had settled in the area before the 19th century and that part of the city has been known as Chinatown since 1902. Today, you will find Asian restaurants, specialty Asian grocery stores and convenient stores. The zone is colorful and offers a cultural center as well as a hospital.

My most recent visit was partly questioning the integration of newer constructions next to traditional Chinese style as well as noticing the lack of maintenance of some of the buildings. However, in 2015, on Rene-Levesque Boulevard, next to the gate, a mural was revealed to emphasize the cultural identity of the neighborhood in addition to adding a revitalization of colors.

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