In Rotterdam, the Chinese Boat is a monumental floating structure built in the style of a Chinese palace. More than just a restaurant, it was a complex combining a hotel, a miniature museum, an Asian garden and an aquarium — an intriguing reflection of the historical ties between Rotterdam and Shanghai.
Galerie photos
Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A form evocative of Chinese culture
With its steeply curved roofs, red-and-gold walls and architecture projecting over the water (hence the nickname “Chinese Boat”), the structure evokes a temple, a ship and a mythical object all at once, creating a striking silhouette on the city’s waterways.
A contrasting fate
Inaugurated with great pomp, the site attracted many visitors, particularly within the local Chinese community. But as Asian services diversified in Rotterdam, attendance declined. Maintenance costs rose, and the complex went through difficult years. Renovations eventually brought new life to the site, now renamed La Chinese Boat.
Visiting today
The building remains visible from the quays, where its spectacular style draws photographers and curious onlookers. It stands as both a reminder of multicultural openness and a unique architectural curiosity.
Practical information
Located on the water near the city centre, accessible on foot or by boat. Easily spotted from the quays, its silhouette rises above the surrounding port rooftops.
