{{Short description|Neighborhood in Davao City, Philippines}} {{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Davao Chinatown | translit_lang1 = | translit_lang1_type2 = | translit_lang1_info2 = | nick_name = | image_skyline = Davao Chinatown arch, Magsaysay Avenue (Davao City; 08-19-2023).jpg | image_caption = The Unity Arch in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Mindanao | pushpin_label_position = left | subdivision_type = [[Country]] | subdivision_name = [[Philippines]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Davao Region]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Cities of the Philippines|City]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Davao City]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Congressional districts of the Philippines|Congressional District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Districts of Davao City|1st District of Davao City]] | subdivision_type4 = [[Districts of Davao City|Districts]] | subdivision_name4 = [[Poblacion District, Davao City|Poblacion]]<br />[[Districts of Davao City|Agdao]] | subdivision_type5 = [[Barangay]]s | subdivision_name5 = [[#Barangay|4]] | area_total_km2 = 0.44 | area_total_sq_mi = 0.44 | population_as_of = | population_total = | population_density_km2 = | established_title = Founded | established_date = 2003 | founder = Davao City Chinatown Development Council | timezone1 = [[Philippine Standard Time]] | utc_offset1 = +08:00 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|Zip codes]] | postal_code = 8000 | area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Philippines|Area codes]] | area_code = 8 | blank1_name_sec1 = [[Languages of the Philippines|Languages]] | blank1_info_sec1 = [[English language|English]]<br />[[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]<br />[[Cantonese]]<br />[[Hokkien]]<br />[[Tagalog language|Tagalog]]<br />[[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] }} {{Infobox Chinese | t = 達沃唐人街 | s = 达沃唐人街 | p = Dáwò tángrénjiē | t2 = 納卯華人街 | s2 = 纳卯华人街 | p2 = Nàmǎo huárén jiē | poj2 = La̍p-báu hôa-lâng ke | altname = Davao China Streets }}

The '''Davao Chinatown''', also known as '''Davao China Street''', '''Davao City Chinatown''', or ''' Mindanao Chinatown''' ({{langx|ceb|'''Lungsod Tsina sa Dabaw'''}}; {{langx|tl|'''Bayang Tsina ng Dabaw'''}}), is a [[Chinatown]] located in [[Davao City]] and the only one on [[Mindanao]] island in the [[Philippines]]. It is the primary residential and trading area of the [[Chinese Filipino|Chinese-Filipino]] community in the city. The area is bordered by Santa Ana Avenue, Monteverde Avenue, Ramón Magsaysay Street, and León García Street. Dubbed as the Philippines' largest Chinatown,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Reynaldo Santos |date=2015-02-19 |title=Chinatowns in PH |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/84416-chinatown-philippines/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> it has a total land area of 44 hectares, comprising four ''[[barangay]]s''.

== History == In 2003, the city's then mayor, [[Rodrigo Duterte]], issued an [[Executive order (Philippines)|executive order]] declaring portions of Barangays 27-C and 30-C, where Chinese-Filipino residences and businesses were concentrated, to be the city's Chinatown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bendijo |first1=Roxanne |title=History of Chinatown in Davao City |url=https://www.davaocatholicherald.com/2018/02/history-chinatown-davao-city/ |access-date=January 28, 2022 |work=Davao Catholic Herald |date=February 11, 2018}}</ref>

The Davao City Chinatown Development Council (DCCDC) was established to assist the conservation of the area's cultural heritage and the implementation of policies in that regard.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carillo |first1=Carmencita |title=Davao's Chinatown gets all dressed up - BusinessWorld |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/davaos-chinatown-gets-all-dressed-up/ |access-date=January 28, 2022 |work=BusinessWorld |date=February 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824105800/https://www.bworldonline.com/davaos-chinatown-gets-all-dressed-up/ |archive-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref> It is also charged with the management of commerce in the area.

==Archways== [[File:Davao Chinatown Friendship Archway Facade.jpg|thumb|Friendship Arch]] The Chinese gate archways are inspired by ''páilou'' (牌樓) or ''[[Paifang|páifāng]]'' (牌坊), a traditional style of architectural [[arch]] in [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=yelang |date=2022-03-22 |title=Pailou – Paifang Meaning And Symbolism |url=https://sonofchina.com/paifang/,%20https://sonofchina.com/paifang/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=sonofchina.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese Memorial Archway, Pailou, Paifang, Chinese Architecture - CITS |url=https://www.cits.net/china-travel-guide/chinese-memorial-archway.html |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=www.cits.net}}</ref> Archways also serves as main entry points, making them one of the main attractions, emphasising cultural significance and adding aesthetic value.

*'''Unity Arch''': ''rónghé mén'' (融合門)—along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, corner Alvarez Street, facing Quezon Boulevard Avenue; *'''Friendship Arch''': ''yǒuyì mén'' (友誼門)—along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue near Emilio Jacinto Street; *'''Peace Arch''': ''hépíng mén'' (和平門)—along Santa Ana Avenue, corner J. P. Laurel Avenue, right beside [[Davao Chong Hua High School]]; *'''Prosperity Arch''': ''fánróng mén'' (繁榮門)—along Santa Ana Avenue, corner Alvarez Street.

==Places of worship== [[File:Lon Wa Temple, Davao.jpg|thumb|Long Hua Buddhist Temple]] Faith and devotion have had a wide influence on moulding the country's culture and norms. [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and [[Taoism|Taoist]] temples define the rich cultural importance of the area. Additionally, [[Christianity|Christian]] churches of different denominations are one of the city's destinations for devotees.

*'''[[Lon Wa Buddhist Temple|Long Hua Buddhist Temple]]'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inspirock.com/philippines/davao-city/lon-wa-temple-a621059563|title=Visit Lon Wa Temple on your trip to Davao City or Philippines}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://victornaive.com/blog/davao/our-amazing-davao-adventure-lon-wa-buddhist-temple/|title = Our amazing Davao Adventure: Lon Wa Buddhist Temple|date = February 17, 2016}}</ref> is the largest Buddhist temple on the island of Mindanao, it is located in J.P. Cabaguio Avenue, Agdao District. It is 3-4 kilometers northeast of the center of the city. *'''Polian Temple'''<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Tonette D. |date=2012-01-28 |title=In the heart of Davao Buddhist traditions |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/in-the-heart-of-davao-buddhist-traditions |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref> is one of the oldest Buddhist Temples in Davao City, located in Quirino Avenue. *'''Santiago Temple'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nickilo.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/china-town-in-davao-city/|title=China Town in Davao City|date=September 12, 2007}}</ref> is situated on a property near [[Gaisano Mall of Davao]]. Built in 1957, it was once visible from J. P. Laurel Avenue, but a new building was built in front of it. Until now, it was hidden from direct view and accessible only by a narrow street alley. *'''Mindanao Taoist Temple'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.phtourguide.com/mindanao-taoist-temple-in-davao-philippines/|title = Mindanao Taoist Temple in Davao, Philippines &#124; Philippines Tour Guide| date=August 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://philsjournal.weebly.com/philippines/davao-city|title = Chinese temples in Davao City}}</ref> is located in Pearl Street, corner Emerald Street, RGA Village, J.P. Cabaguio Street, Agdao District. *'''Davao Chinese Baptist Church''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com/ |title=Home |website=johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com/2013/08/davao-chinese-baptist-church.html?m=1 |title=Home |website=johnphillipbautistapovblador.blogspot.com|date=2013 }}</ref> located in Guzman Street, Poblacion District, Davao City. *'''Santa Ana Shrine Parish'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.davaobliss.com/2013/05/sta-ana-shrine-parish-davao-schedule-of.html |title=STA. ANA SHRINE PARISH - DAVAO, SCHEDULE OF MASSES - Davao Bliss |access-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630193231/http://www.davaobliss.com/2013/05/sta-ana-shrine-parish-davao-schedule-of.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Davao Catholic |date=2016-07-24 |title=Sta. Ana Shrine |url=https://www.davaocatholicherald.com/2016/07/sta-ana-shrine/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Davao Catholic Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> is a [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines|Catholic]] church located along Santa Ana Avenue, corner Lapu-Lapu Street.

==Business establishments== A wide array of shopping malls, hardware stores, restaurants, retail outlets, and wholesale shops are usually found on every street in the area. Most of them are owned by Chinese Filipino families, whose majority originated in [[Fujian]], [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedrasa |first=Ira P. |date=2023-12-29 |title=Tracing hardy Chinoy roots in Fujian |url=https://business.inquirer.net/438808/tracing-hardy-chinoy-roots-in-fujian |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Po |first=L. |date=2020-07-11 |title=Our People's Tongue: the History and Future of the Hokkien Language in the Philippines |url=https://medium.com/@l.po/our-peoples-tongue-the-history-and-future-of-the-hokkien-language-in-the-philippines-414e0628932f |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> Since then, it has served as one of Davao City's primary trading centers. Various affordable commodities are sold, such as home and office furniture, electronic gadgets and appliances, bicycles, apparels, accessories, and many more. Foods, drinks, fruits, vegetables, and flowers are available on sidewalks and put up for sale at cheaper prices. Other products are also available and displayed in kiosks and stalls.

[[File:NCCC Main.jpg|thumb|New City Commercial Corporation Main Magsaysay]]

* '''[[NCCC Malls|NCCC Main Magsaysay]]''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Company Profile {{!}} NCCC |date=October 14, 2020 |url=https://nccc.com.ph/about/company-profile/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last2= |last3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |first6= |date=2022-12-12 |title=NCCC celebrates 44 fruitful years |url=http://www.iamlovelyboiser.com/2022/12/nccc-celebrates-44-fruitful-years.html |access-date=2024-05-07 |language=en}}</ref> founded by Lim Tian Su, started as a textile store in Davao City during the 1950s. The establishment subsequently became a general retail product shop, providing essentials as well as footwear and jewellery. They launched their initial NCCC supermarket and department store within Ramon Magsaysay Avenue around 1978, and they introduced the New City Commercial Center. *'''DCLA Department Store''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=III |first=Troy Ciar-Luis Quibranza |date=2015-09-08 |title=DCLA opens new branch in Davao City |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/-dcla-opens-new-branch-in-davao-city |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref> along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, is located in a bustling part of the area. Davao City Los Amigos, which was started in 2003, is a shopping center offering wide choices of retail goods, including clothing, garments, footwear, electronic devices, and several others, at an inexpensive cost. *'''New Davao Famous Restaurant''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Davao Famous Restaurant {{!}} Chinese Cuisine {{!}} Family-Style Dining |url=https://www.newdavaofamous.com/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=newdavaofamous |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lumawag |first=Reuel John F. |date=2018-09-25 |title=New Davao Famous: Four decades of good food |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/new-davao-famous-four-decades-of-good-food |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref> established in 1970s, has been serving contemporary Chinese cuisine with an extensive variety of dishes for more than 40 years. *'''Davao Shanghai Restaurant''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arado |first=Jennie P. |date=2019-03-03 |title=Best of Davao: Pancit Canton Guisado |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/best-of-davao-pancit-canton-guisado |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref> has been serving Chinese and Filipino snacks and dishes for a number of decades, the restaurant's signature taste has already been part of every Dabawenyos' palate on any occasions.

==Academic institutions== Chinatown has been the home of learning institutions spanning from basic education programs to tertiary schools.

*'''[[Davao Chong Hua High School]]''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Figueroa |first=Antonio |date=2022-01-25 |title=FAST BACKWARD: Davao's first Chinese school |url=https://edgedavao.net/vantage-points/2022/01/fast-backward-davaos-first-chinese-school/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Edge Davao |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Davao Chong Hua High School {{!}} Edukasyon.ph |url=https://www.edukasyon.ph/schools/davao-chong-hua-high-school |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=www.edukasyon.ph |language=en}}</ref> is a [[non-sectarian]] [[Private school|private]] [[Chinese school]]. Located on Santa Ana Avenue, corner J. P. Laurel Street, which is known to be one of the nation's oldest Chinese schools. It was then established in 1924 and offers Chinese [[Chinese language|language]] arts and [[Chinese culture|culture]]. *'''[[Holy Cross of Davao College]]''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=About HCDC {{!}} Holy Cross of Davao College |url=https://www.hcdc.edu.ph/about-hcdc/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218103219/https://www.hcdc.edu.ph/about-hcdc/ |archive-date=2025-02-18 |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=www.hcdc.edu.ph |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy Cross of Davao College (Fees & Reviews): Davao, Philippines |url=https://www.edarabia.com/28299/holy-cross-of-davao-college/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=edarabia.com |language=en-US}}</ref> situated along Santa Ana Avenue corner Guzman Street, is a [[Catholic|Catholic Church]] private basic and higher education institution run by the [[Archdiocese of Davao]]. The college was founded in 1951 by the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary Sisters and then acquired by the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME Fathers) in 1956. *'''[[San Pedro College]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MySPC Portal |url=https://sanpedrocollegedavao.ph/spc-history |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=sanpedrocollegedavao.ph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sunnexdesk |date=2016-01-09 |title=San Pedro College Davao is 4th best nursing school |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/san-pedro-college-davao-is-4th-best-nursing-school |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref>''', erected along Guzman Street since 1956, is a private, Catholic, research, and coeducational basic and higher education institution run by the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] Sisters of the [[Trinity]] in Davao City. *'''Asian International School Aeronautics and Technology<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://aisat.edu.ph/about-us/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AISAT |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2015 |title=Aisat Davao now accredited assessment center for animation, visual graphics |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-davao/20150408/281719793099174 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=[[SunStar Davao]] |via=[[PressReader]]}}</ref>''', known as AISAT, established in Santa Ana Avenue, corner Leon Garcia Street, was initially founded in 2011 by an association of entrepreneurs and technical professionals who recognised a demand for outstanding aviation industry education in Davao City.

==Transportation== [[File:Davao Chinatown Street Signage.jpg|thumb|A street sign in Davao Chinatown in partnership with [[Banco de Oro]]]] The common mode of transportation in the city is PUVs (public utility vehicles), like [[jeepneys]] and multicabs, that are accessible within the downtown area. In minor streets, [[Cycle rickshaw]], also known to locals as a ''pedicab'', offers a ride along a short distance for a low fare cost. While metered [[Taxicabs|cabs]] reaching multiple landmarks are the alternative ride for convenient travel built with GPS, or the [[Global Positioning System]].

==See also== *[[Chinatown]] *[[Chinatowns in Asia]] *[[Binondo]] *[[List of ethnic enclaves in Philippine cities]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Davao City}} {{Asia Chinatown}}

[[Category:Chinatowns in Asia]] [[Category:Davao City]] [[Category:Chinese-Filipino culture]]