BARRIO CHINO

An enormous Chinese arch, as high as a five-story building, marks the ancient entrance to Havana's Barrio Chino, or Chinatown. Financed by the Chinese authorities, it was inaugurated on February 16, 1999, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. More than 150 years ago, on June 3, 1847, the 260 survivors of the first group of Chinese immigrants disembarked in Havana (about 13% of the Chinese who left for Cuba died during the crossing, or shortly after their arrival). According to their contract, they had to stay there for eight years, in exchange for a miserable salary that was far from allowing them to return to their country one day. Thus began a new form of slave trade. In 1874, about 150,000 coolies (Asian workers) worked in Cuba. The majority of them would stay, mixing their culture and blood with that of Africans, Spaniards and mestizos. Another group of Chinese, coming from California, would later join the first arrivals. Today this neighborhood is almost anecdotal and has only the name and the few restaurants that are still there... If you take a closer look, you will nevertheless be able to spot a game room, a Chinese pension, a bar or an association. Also note the Chinese cinema which shows films in their original version, as well as a homeopathy pharmacy. This is where you will see some Chinese people, but don't expect a real Chinatown like those in big American cities!