Visit Chinese History in Weaverville, California

Gold fever brought miners of many nationalities to Weaverville, settling in French, English, Irish, German and China "Towns". In early mining days, over 2000 Chinese lived in Weaverville. The Chinese heritage is most vivid at the Weaverville Joss House State Park, built in 1874 to replace earlier temples destroyed by fire. Tour the "Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds", the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. Step through the ornately carved gates, over the high threshold, and around the "spirit screens", intended to keep out evil spirits. Inside, except for the installation of electricity, the interior has not been changed since 1874. On the temple roof sit two Chow Win Dragon Fish, once believed to keep wooden structures safe from fire. The adjacent interpretative center exhibits relics of the 1854 "Tong War" between rival Chinese associations. Experience the "Lion Dance" each February and September as Weaverville's Chinese heritage comes to life to celebrate the New Year and Moon Festival.