Chinatown now has a beautiful and impressive traditional Chinese Gate situated in Wardour Street. It can be viewed from Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square (from the ‘Swiss Clock’ side).
The gate was inaugurated by The Duke of York at 12:00 noon today.
His Royal Highness will be greeted by a Chinese Lion Dance at the Gate and The Duke will later follow the Lion Dance procession along Lisle Street where a reception for the Chinese community living in London will be held.
The style of the gate is replicated from the Qing Dynasty – two pillars and three tiers with glazed yellow titles, the golden dragon and decorative colourful panels, these elements are the highest regarded symbol in that era.
Two white jade plaques on the top of each side of the gate in Chinese characters reads “ Peace to China . Prosperity to Britain”
