The first Chinese people came to the Netherlands in around 1900. Most of them came from poor areas, such as the South Chinese province of Quangdong that was hit by war and famine. They arrived here on Dutch steamships, were they worked as stokers and sailors. 	 During the crisis years at lot of Chinese were fired, so the Dutch government deported many Chinese back to China. But also many stayed in the district of the harbour. Such as Binnen Bantammerstraat, Zeedijk en Nieuwmarkt streets. Hoping for better times. The Dutch got to know them better when the Chinese men who were too old or weak to work on the ships, started selling peanut cookies in the streets around Binnen Bantammerstraat. Soon after that Chinese traders came to Amsterdam to build boarding houses, small restaurants and laundry companies and some even married a Dutch woman. Even today, this is where the Amsterdam Chinatown is.

The arrival of the Chinese

Continue walking along Geldersekade. On your left you will find a street called Binnen Bantammerstreet. Walk into this street. Ready to find out more?

Navigational story for The arrival of the Chinese

In 1928 the very first Chinese restaurant Kong Hing opened here in the Binnen Bantammerstraat. Many Amsterdam people loved it. It was a huge success! The famous American singer and dancer Josphine Baker visited the restaurant many times. There is even an picture of Josphine in the restaurant. After the second world war, Chinese opened restaurants all over the Netherlands. Now here in Chinatown you will find excellent authentic Chinese food: roast duck shops, Chinese bakeries, supermarkets with Chinese spices and of course many good and cheap restaurants. You will also find Japanese, Indonesian, Thai and Korean restaurants. So take a look around! You can also take a peek into Asian supermarkets, hairdressers, bookshops, massage parlours, travel companies and shops specializing in religious items.

Chinese restaurants and shops

At the end of this street turn right into Lastageweg. 

Navigational story for Chinese restaurants and shops

At the end of this street turn right again.

Then turn left to Nieuwmarkt. Can you see the large square?

Many Chinese who started a new life in the Netherlands were illegally. The Chinese opened their own pleasure houses: gambling houses, opium dens and clubhouses. In the 1960s, Dutch people discovered Chinese opium and added this new spice to their favourite drugs: hash and speed. Ten years later heroine arrived. Brought by Chinese mob from Hong Kong and Singapore, it was cheap and highly addictive. Chinatown Amsterdam became a place where junkies and dealers met. Over 10,000 people in Amsterdam were addicted to heroine. Many died of overdoses. Later in 1985, HIV and Aids arrived and the sharing of needles to inject heroine caused even more deaths. Amsterdam realised something had to change. Soon the area around Zeedijk and Chinatown was swept clean to end the illegal street trade in drugs. The Chinese neighbourhood started to flourish. Nowadays Amsterdam is proud to host Chinatown. The Chinese new is celebrated here with a festive parade of dragons and fireworks.

China, Amsterdam and drugs

We are reaching our final stop. Standing in front of the Nieuwmarkt take the second street on your right. This is called Zeedijk. Walk into this street and you will find on your left a large Chinese Temple. Stop there.

Navigational story for China, Amsterdam and drugs

The Heart of Dutch Chinese community is this Buddhist temple. This temple is built in 2000 and officially opened by Queen Beatrix. The Fo Guang Shan He Hua Tempel is the largest religious building in Chinese style in Europe. It’s was designed by a Dutch architect. Ornaments and roof tiles were flown in from China. Take a good look at the temple. The animals pictures on the roof represent the Chinese zodiac and the dragon represents the protection of the temple and its surroundings. During the Buddhist memorial day of Vesak in May or June, Dutch-Chinese from all over The Netherlands visit the temple to burn incense for Buddhist saints. A sculpture of Gautama Buddha is carried in a procession to Nieuwmarkt square. The He Hua Temple also offers a guided tour and is free to visit as well by Buddhists for meditation. If this story has made you curious, why not visit the temple and find out more!

He Hua Tempel

We are at the end of this tour. Thank you for listening. We hope you enjoyed every step of the way and discovered some new facts about China Town in Amsterdam. Don’t forget to bring a nice souvenir home with you! This tour was brought to you by whatsupwithamsterdam. A website filled with the best places to go out, to go shopping and to learn about the hidden treasures of Amsterdam.

Closing

Welcome to Amsterdam Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown of Europe. During this audiotour you will get to know the history of the Chinese in Amsterdam and find out where you can find the greatest Chinese food and shops. The tour starts at Geldersekade. Listen there to the audio stories. Enjoy!

Amsterdam

What's up tours Amsterdam Chinatown

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