A project organized within the Calgary Chinese community in cooperation with the City of Calgary. Readily recognized on the west side of Macleod Trial as you reach the top of the cemetery hill, looking west.
From the City of Calgary:
You’ve probably seen it as you drive down Macleod Trail – The City’s Chinese Cemetery. This historic site houses the remains of many of Calgary’s first Chinese pioneers, many of whom emigrated over a hundred years ago from Hoy Sun Country (also known as Toisan) in southern China’s Guangdong province.
Established in 1908, this cemetery is one of YYC’s oldest cultural burial grounds, a sacred space, and an important historic reminder of when Chinese residents were excluded from other cemeteries due to ignorance and racism—even while their contributions helped build the community.
These newcomers faced terrible hardships while they worked extremely hard to build a new life: racial discrimination, loneliness, and difficult and dangerous work as railway workers, miners and labourers.
While the grounds existed from 1908, The City didn’t take over the Chinese Cemetery until 1935. At the time, there weren’t many descendants to maintain the burial sites, so many of the headstones deteriorated.
Flash forward almost 90 years: In June 2024, The City met with members of Calgary’s Chinese community to create a plan to restore this space. Guided by cultural traditions (including a Feng Shui Master) and supported by volunteer dedication, 343 historic monuments were stabilized, cleaned, and reset using sustainable, low-carbon foundations.
Community members played a central role, helping with everything from translation and monument care to turf restoration using eco-friendly methods.
The project officially wrapped with a community celebration in August this year. We’re proud to be part of this project, restoring a home and honouring Calgary’s early Chinese pioneers and the legacy they left for our city!
