Chinatown

In 1965, the Chinese community in Houston numbered just 2,500, but by 2000, that population had grown to 25,000.  Today, Houston has the second-largest Indochinese population in the United States after Los Angeles. 

The population boom has resulted in an impressive number of Asian cultural destinations in the Houston area. Houston is home to not one, but two Chinatowns.  The original is just east of downtown.  The larger is situated southwest of downtown along Bellaire Boulevard.  Considered “the new Chinatown,” the major Chinese restaurants, markets and shopping plazas concentrated in the Bellaire area include Hong Kong City Mall and nearby Ocean Palace restaurant. 
 
Hong Kong City Mall is one of the largest Asian indoor malls in the U.S. The more than 20 restaurants and cafes, along with a multitude of shops, resemble a small city.  The beautiful Asian architecture, colorful gardens, fountains filled with lily pads and an enormous parking lot makes it a centerpiece for the Houston Asian community. 

Ocean Palace is a great place to experience authentic dim sum. The enormous two-story restaurant is often filled with Chinese locals who enjoy the extensive dim sum selection and full menu.  The grand-scale structure offers views of Hong King City Mall’s lily pond for a peaceful counterpoint to the bustling scene.  If you are not a dim sum expert, ask a waiter to explain the day’s offerings to help you enjoy the culinary and cultural journey. 

A few blocks west, the serene Jade Buddha Temple covers two and a half acres and consists of several buildings, and features a lotus pond with a statue of Kwan-Yin as its centerpiece.  In addition to serving the religious and spiritual needs of its members, the temple functions as a Buddhist study and research center for local schools and universities. 

Also in the area, numerous shopping plazas feature Chinese and other Asian restaurants, plus Chinese groceries, films, souvenirs and the offices of the Chinese Merchants’ Associations.  Look for the Chinese street signs when driving down Bellaire Boulevard between Boone and Fondren. 

In addition to Chinatown developments, Chinese cultural highlights can be found across the city.  Forbidden Gardens, west of Houston in Katy, is an incredible outdoor museum replicating some of China’s major historic scenes, most notably, the 6,000-piece terra-cotta army of China’s first emperor, which is replicated in 1/3 scale. 

For an insightful experience, take the Chinese Community Center’s Asian Heritage Tour. 

 

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