Chinatown Gateway, Traditional paifang entrance in Old Town Chinatown, Portland, United States.
The Chinatown Gateway is a traditional paifang-style gate marking the entry to Portland's Chinese cultural district and stands 38 feet tall. Its structure features 78 dragons and 58 mythological characters crafted from bronze, marble, granite, wood, tile, and steel.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association proposed the gateway in 1984, leading to its construction in Taiwan and installation in Portland in 1986. The project was designed to mark the cultural district and celebrate the Chinese presence in the city.
The gateway displays inscriptions reading 'Portland Chinatown' on the front and 'Four Seas, One Family' on the back in Chinese characters. These words reflect the connection between China's distant shores and the local Chinese community here.
The gateway sits at the intersection of West Burnside Street and Northwest Fourth Avenue, making it easy to access on foot from various directions. Visitors can approach from multiple angles to view the intricate carvings and statues up close.
Two bronze lion statues, one male and one female, rest on marble platforms at the base and represent the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. These guardian figures are considered protective spirits in Chinese culture, appearing at entrances and sacred spaces.
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