Chinese history
During the 1850s, thousands of Chinese miners came to Victoria to prospect for gold. By 1855 nearly 19,000 Chinese had landed in the colony, and by 1857 the population had risen to 26,000. They left a remarkable legacy.
Visit Bendigo’s Chinese quarter and explore the Golden Dragon Museum and classical gardens for an excellent introduction to the region’s Chinese heritage. The city’s original Emu Point joss house (temple), built during the gold rush, is still in use and has been classified by the National Trust, while the White Hills Cemetery boasts Australia’s largest Chinese burial ground. The area also contains the remnants of Chinese diggings, including circular shafts, introduced by Chinese miners for safety reasons.
The Chinese sections in Ballarat’s two cemeteries also contain ceremonial burning towers and a wealth of information on Chinese burial customs. A full record of all burial sites, including names and origins is available.
