Chinese Settlement Arrowtown

#152 Do - walk the partially restored, historic Chinese settlement on the banks of Bush Creek in Arrowtown. In 1874 there were approximately 3500 Chinese in Otago, mostly gold miners from the Guangzhou area of China. By 1885 the settlement in Arrowtown was 10 huts, at least 2 stores, a social hall and large gardens. Majority were married men, they would often return to China once they had approximately £100 - thought to be the equivalent to 20 years of wages in China. It was really sad to learn these hard working men were victims of discrimination and harassment, having been invited here by the Otago Provincial Government. They often lived isolated on the edges of European settlements. The DOC carried out an archeological excavation of this area in 1983 and it is really interesting to walk through and imagine life many years ago.

#history #trail #nature