The park is located on the exact shoreline where Chinese residents were forced onto boats during the 1885 expulsion.
The pavilion, or 'Ting,' was constructed by master craftsmen brought from Tacoma’s sister city, Fuzhou, China.
The site includes a 'Reflection Pond' intended to symbolize the passage of time and healing.
The park was intentionally built on the site of the former Chinese settlement to reclaim and honor the community's history.
It is one of the few places in the United States specifically designed as a site of reconciliation for a historical act of racial expulsion.
Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park is a waterfront memorial site commemorating the 1885 forced expulsion of Chinese residents from the city. The park features a traditional Fuzhou-style Chinese pavilion, the Ting, which serves as a central landmark for reflection. Lush landscaping incorporates native Washington plants alongside traditional Chinese architectural elements. It sits on the site of the former Old Town Chinatown, directly along the Puget Sound coastline. The park was established through a long-term collaboration between the City of Tacoma and the Chinese Reconciliation Park Foundation. It includes a series of interpretive panels detailing the historical events surrounding the expulsion. The site is designed to promote healing and cultural education for the community. Visitors can access a small beach area directly from the park pathways.
The elevated vantage point capturing the Chinese pavilion framing the water and the Tacoma Narrows bridge in the distance.
Walk the paved pathway along the waterfront for the best view of the Puget Sound and the pavilion.
Read the interpretive plaques near the entrance to understand the historical context of the site.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent Ruston Way waterfront trail.
Do not treat the site as a standard recreational park; avoid loud music or disruptive activities that detract from the solemn nature of the memorial.
Respectful and quiet behavior is encouraged due to the site's role as a memorial.
