While you’re in Calgary, why not stop for a visit in Beijing? The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre prides itself on promoting Chinese culture as well as embracing Canadian multiculturalism, offering its facilities to all ethnic groups. Take a look through old Chinese literature at the Orrin & Clara Christie Might Chinese Library. Finding information on Chinese history is effortless here with over 60,000 sources of Chinese books, magazines, references, periodicals and videos as well as books in English. Would you like to try your hand at traditional Chinese painting? The centre offers Chinese based programs to the community including customary language, martial arts and dance. Guided cultural tours and programs are also offered, including 90 minute tutorials of the Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat Festivals.
The beautifully decorated walls and 70 foot high ceilings of the Dr. Henry Fok Cultural Hall are breathtaking. This impressive sample of Chinese architecture was built as a replication of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and features the whimsical paintings of 561 dragons and 40 phoenixes. There’s even more to see at the Chinese artefacts Museum! Since 1994, the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre has showcased exhibits which demonstrate the development of modern Chinese Canadian culture, as well as artefacts which represent China. To bring China even closer to home, The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre provides services such as the Chinese Arts and Crafts store, the Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hi-Ho Travel. For a little taste of China, be sure to try some traditional Dim Sum at the Tang Dynasty Restaurant.
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Events
The Centre holds a number of events during special occasions throughout the year such as graduate celebrations, mother’s day dances and New Year’s performances. Below are a couple of popular events which may interest you. ‘Go’ (Weiqi) Club – ‘Go’ is a very challenging Chinese board game which is slowly becoming popular in Calgary. Between the months of November and January, the Centre organizes the ‘Go Club’ for anyone who is up for the challenge! The cost to join is $25.00/3months. A Kaleidoscope of China-Reflections of the Modern Chinese Lifestyle-Photo Exhibit – for the month of October, the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre puts on an eye-opening exhibit of photos which represent Chinese culture and history within both China and Canada, portraying memorable feats, people and defying moments.
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Prices and Admission
Orrin & Clara Christie Might Chinese Library Admission
Annual membership fees are as follows:
Full Membership (books & videos) - $50.00
Books only Membership - $25.00
Student Membership - $10.00
Chinese Artefacts Museum Admission
$4.00 Adults, $2.00 Seniors (60+), $2.00 Students, $2.00 Children (ages 6+), Children 5 and under are FREE!
Did you know?
- In 1885, a head tax of $50.00 was charged for each Chinese person entering Canada. The government collected a total of $23 million from this tax, which would amount to $1 billion in today’s currency.
- 1,500 Chinese workers died while working on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Some of those workers had earned as little as a $1.00 a day.
- It wasn’t until 1947 that the Government began to grant Canadian Citizenships to Chinese people.
