Chinatown, San Jose

Chinatown in San José, is an urban area located in the capital of Costa Rica. It is the first of its kind in a Central American city.The area began to develop as a commercial center during the last decades of the twentieth century, basically with the advent of supermarkets, shops and some restaurants whose owners are Chinese.The neighborhood was officially opened on Wednesday 5 December 2012. after nearly ten months of work. It is expected to become a new area of touristic interest in the city.DescriptionWorks began in February 2012, but the planning and design began in 2009 as a result of political negotiations between the governments of Costa Rica and the People’s Republic of China, to create a neighborhood in San Jose to represent Chinese culture.After a little discussion about the most appropriate location and that have the least impact on traffic flow, they chose the centric 9th street, popularly known as "Paseo de los Estudiantes" ("Students Walkway"). The area includes the square of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Soledad (Church of Solitude) and a little music amphitheater.Chinatown is an area of about 550 meters long and 8200 meters² building, in an area of twelve city blocks between 2nd Avenue and 14th Avenue (north to south) and between 7th and 11th Street (in west to east direction). The central axis constitutes a boulevard or stamped concrete walkway in red and yellow colors (symbolizing good luck and prosperity respectively, for the Chinese culture), along 9th Street.Undoubtedly, his most notable architectural work is its arched entrance, similar to another ones located in other cities around the world. The work was performed by employees of a Chinese company, linked to the Beijing Bureau of Antiquities and is estimated to cost approximately $ 500,000. The bow is made of reinforced concrete, is 10 meters high and 15 wide, with enough internal space to fire a machine transit, to a possible emergency. Although inspired by the Tang Dynasty, is also integrated eight areas of concrete spheres symbolize existing Pre-Columbian art of Costa Rica, as a way to symbolize the union of cultures.