Welcome

Established in 1867, the Lawrence Chinese Camp is the earliest and largest Chinese gold mining settlement in the region of Otago in New Zealand.

At its peak, in the late 1880’s, the Camp was a thriving trading hub catering to Chinese miners in the Tuapeka District of Otago and to those travelling through, and was home to over 120 residents.

The Camp is a category 1 New Zealand Heritage historic place with three original buildings remaining: the Empire Hotel, the stables and the Poon Fah Joss House.

Preservation and restoration of the heritage buildings is underway. There are plans to create museum spaces showcasing the history of Otago's Chinese gold-miners and visitors will soon experience the Camp of old through a virtual reality re-creation of the archeological site.

Situated just 1.2km outside the picturesque township of Lawrence, the camp is located along State Highway 8 and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.

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Update

Building work has started on the Chinese Empire Hotel and Stables! The Trust has engaged Lawrence building company, Chapman Construction and Glenn Forrester of OCTA as project manager.

Funding for the building construction work has come from grant funding from Lotteries Environment and Heritage, Otago Community Trust, Clutha Council Community Fund, Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, Stout Trust, AAW Jones Trust, Alexander McMillan Trust, Harry J Wilson Trust and The Trust Community Fund.

Generous donations to the buy a brick campaign including business contributions, are also making this happen and we are grateful for the support from our communities and the Organisations and Trusts who have chosen to support restoring the Lawrence Chinese Camp.