China Gates

The China Gate represents a cherished part of Portland. Our Chinatown is small, but still tries hard and mostly succeeds in adding a bit of authenticity through some nice restaurants. It is a beautiful gate, but it could be cleaned a bit more every now and then, though the homeless camp is much milder than one might expect in the effect, but do expect to see people sleeping at the gate. Bright red and beautiful characters compose this fine example of Chinese-​style art.
I walked up and I found a bit of information to read on those who contributed to it. The animals depicted were interesting and the beauty dawned on me. You can walk both on each side using the crosswalk, or between the many legs on the sidewalk. Take your time, but ten minutes should be an equilibrium.
Portland should guard the China Gate closely.

Oh, Chinatown.
Oh, (pretend these are the Chinese characters for «Burnside» which Unilocal won’t let me copy and paste here)
Oh, pretty gates.
Oh, lions who have seen me stumble between them 100 times.
Oh, my.
Portland’s Chinatown is always compared to similar areas in other cities, but people, let us face facts. No, we aren’t the biggest. No, we don’t have many 24 hr amenities in that area. But holy hell, don’t we already get into enough trouble down there anyway?
I don’t recommend that just anyone wander around these gates at all hours like I’ve done so many times. But I do recommend you take a second look at them next time you’re in the area, they actually are pretty darn cool and a nice entry to our humble little China-​hood.

Pretty! This art piece was created in Bronze and Marble in 1986 and is a bright spot in China town. Not too far from the Chinese garden a must see!