A question: Do you think that we will ever build/recognise one?

Cardiff's Chinese population isn't the biggest, but it is growing. From what I can tell, it is mainly propped up by students, I have seen many Chinese families about speaking Mandarin, and Cardiff's Chinese connection does go back quite a while.

Isn't having a district called Canton enough?

And another called cathay(s)

Cardiff does have a small Chinatown on Tudor street in Riverside. There are about 8-10 chinese businesses there. The 2011 census says there were over 5000 Chinese residents in Cardiff.

I've offered wondered whether a Chinatown style gate would work on Tudor Street. It could be quite attractive but I'm not sure there's the critical mass is there.

These arches -"Paifang" have in the past been donated by the Chinese government to cities outside China which have Chinatowns. Riverside and Canton do have large Chinese populations. Maybe the council could regenerate Tudor st by designating it as Chinatown and raising funds for a Paifang. I walked through yesterday and three Chinese businesses have closed down, although a hairdresser (Nile Barbers) has opened up. Tudor Street/Clare Rd/Penarth rd is a really exciting mix of cultures; Sikh,Gujarati, Bengali, Pakistani,Chinese,Somali,Ghanain and Nigerian. City Road has a cosmopolitan flavour but all the students make it feel less edgy than Grangetown and Riverside. I go to Sai la Vie on Clare Road regularly and the vibe in there is superb, just like their authentic Gujarati curries.

I remember all this talk (with the inevitable cut and paste 'Chinese Gate entrances' superimposed on Tudor Street) in the Echo about a decade ago. It's one of those perennial stories that bobs up for air now and again.

I used to catch the no 8 down that way quite a bit a decade ago. There seemed to be quite a few more Chinese shops on Tudor Street then than there does now. It's hardly Shanghai on the Taff is it?

Indeed, im pretty sure any china town designation would need buy in from the local community and should probably originate there, as opposed to some top down council (or web forum!) decision. Many might think the designation of a single attribution would undervalue the multicultural character of the place.

You are correct. There are two restaurants, two supermarkets, a nails place, a barber and a travel agent. There may be a herbalist too. Canton has the Chinese fishmongers, a herbalist, two restaurants and two takeaways on a short stretch of Cowbridge rd between the hospital and Tesco. Although technically this is Riverside ward which lends weight to the idea that Riverside= Chinatown

Isn't the object 'integration' not 'segregation'?

why would a china town be segregation? it doesn't have to be - it could just be a district where everyone can go and experience chinese culture vis a vis cuisine.

they have one in M/cr and a lesser one in Liverpool

It's certainly not integration to have 'ghetto-like' areas in any area. Do they all have to be in one particular area? Surely, Chinese cuisine would taste the same in any area!? Why not have a Muslim section of Cardiff where we could all go and experience their way of life? Yes, I know we've got Grangetown

Singapore has a very distinct china town and "islamic town" polar ends of the city center. I cant see why comunities that live closely together (ie butetown, riverside) could not form distinct areas of culture, cuisine and attractions for cardiff residents. I am sure there are many potential problems with it, but most of them would not come from a branding of an area.

I don't think the idea is a starter. The Chinese in Cardiff are fairly spread out and there isn't a 'centre' as such. A few Chinese businesses where the biggest ethnic groups in the immediate environs are Bengalis, Africans, Pakistanis and White British doesn't really make sense.

yes - and many years ago Cardiff once had a "Ni**er Town" ...

Aside from the obvious pejorative nature of the above: I find it interesting that the idea of a China Town doesn't evoke the same kind of reaction as it would for any other 'ethnic' grouping - in modern times we would never dream to consider designating, for example, a Jewish Quarter



Moving on:

I think the small cluster of Chinese businesses on Tudor St may seem more conspicuous;

a) because it is a quite distinct geographical focal point as a gateway to the Town Centre

b) more specifically, because of the relative dearth of Chinese businesses in 'mainstream' Cardiff - I would hazard a guess there are more 'Asian' / Halal businesses in that area but perhaps we're more blasé about those as part of the general fabric throughout the City?

Historically Butetown was noted for it's ethnic / cultural diversity - but I would say that this was more symptomatic of the LACK of such diversity elsewhere in Cardiff

... often leading to misconceptions.

In spite of the crude and demeaning historical branding of the area (see my previous post) there was no distinctive ethnic / national majority which could define Butetown

In fact whilst the said diversity was/is self-evident, the predominant culture has always been the 'Land Of Our Mothers'. Irrespective of skin tone or exotic sounding surnames most people in the Bay ate fish & chips, watched Coronation Street and - mostly - voted Labour. Nowadays its chicken and chips, X-Factor and still voting Labour but with less enthusiasm


Today's Butetown may seem somewhat more culturally condensed and polarised - but I would say this a matter of social engineering e.g. social housing allocation practices, rather than any natural cultural characteristics.

The idea of a Chinatown seems outdated and anachronistic to me. Surely this is a 19th century concept and one that grew organically (and probably as a direct result of racial prejudice)? I think the idea of Chinese people flocking together to create some sort of oriental amusement park for the white folks by council decree is desperate and would make Cardiff a laughing stock.

Actually a Chinatown concept enpowers the Chinese population and creating a hub for trade, recreation gives the area a real distintion.
The amusement arcades an casinos in Chinatown areas are different class.
As are the cafes.
I was told that the Chinese of Riverside propose it to the Council about a decade ago but it was rejected. They were going to fund it themselves.
Chinatown's are intended to be a celebration of Chinese culture.
Tourists flock there and the chinese do very well out of it.
It could well be a winner.

I don't think Cardiff Council are innovative enough to create such an area. That said, it is the kind of thing that should come organically from the Chinese community. I'd love to see it personally.

Is it me, or does anyone else think that Cardiff Council is afraid of success?