Mahale Chiniha
Encyclopedia
Mahale Chiniha is a Chinatown
in the center of Gachsaran
City, Iran and its most populous area. Running for about 300 metres (984.3 ft), although there are no Chinese people in the town, it is one of the most crowded in the city, especially at sunset. The buildings are a unique mixture of traditional, modern, Chinese
and Islamic architecture
. There are also many luxury shopping malls, stores, restaurants, nightclubs and bars frequented by both local people and tourists.
, Mahale Chiniha was considered a location where Chinese culture and architecture could be showcased. The area differs from other Chinatowns around the world as the designers were a mixed group of Iranian and Chinese architects. Designs for the project was completed in May 2003 with a scheduled construction time of three years, however, a lack of sponsors slowed progress. When nearly a quarter of the buildings were complete, many new private sponsors became involved who wanted Mahale Chiniha to become a trade center. As a result the development strategy changed and Chinese-themed sky scrapers were built instead of shop buildings in a purely traditional Chinese style.
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
in the center of Gachsaran
Gachsaran
Dogonbadan is a city in and the capital of Gachsaran County, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 81,902, in 18,264 families.The people speak in the Southern Lurish and Qashqai Turkic....
City, Iran and its most populous area. Running for about 300 metres (984.3 ft), although there are no Chinese people in the town, it is one of the most crowded in the city, especially at sunset. The buildings are a unique mixture of traditional, modern, Chinese
Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in East Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details...
and Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
. There are also many luxury shopping malls, stores, restaurants, nightclubs and bars frequented by both local people and tourists.
History
Although information about the former use of Mahale Chiniha is scarce, until the early 2000s it was not a densely populated area. However, in 2001, following diplomatic engagement between Iran and ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Mahale Chiniha was considered a location where Chinese culture and architecture could be showcased. The area differs from other Chinatowns around the world as the designers were a mixed group of Iranian and Chinese architects. Designs for the project was completed in May 2003 with a scheduled construction time of three years, however, a lack of sponsors slowed progress. When nearly a quarter of the buildings were complete, many new private sponsors became involved who wanted Mahale Chiniha to become a trade center. As a result the development strategy changed and Chinese-themed sky scrapers were built instead of shop buildings in a purely traditional Chinese style.