Pagodepoort
Pagodepoort rises at the entrance to Antwerp’s Chinatown, linking Koningin Astridplein near the central station with De Coninckplein. Colourful woodwork, gold foil, and a ceramic roof make the Chinese-style gateway easy to recognise. Small statues of mythical creatures sit above the roof, while marble lions and dragon-shaped streetlights mark the surrounding streets.
Chinese restaurants began gathering along Van Wesenbekestraat in the 1970s, creating a centre for Chinese community life. Antwerp and its Chinese community later shaped the district together. After Chinatown gained official recognition in 2001, the gateway project overcame concerns about tram wires and a three-year delay. Construction and assembly finished in Antwerp during 2010.
Workers built the structure in China, shipped its pieces to Antwerp, and reassembled them beside the tram route. That height keeps the overhead wires clear. At the base, sponsor names are inscribed beneath the ornate gateway.
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