The so-called paifang –welcome gatesor arches typical of traditionalChinese architecture– will arrive in Madrid’s Usera neighborhood in 2026, as part of the process of consolidating the area’s identity as the capital’s ‘Chinatown’, which Madrid City Council has been working on for some time.
Although these traditional arches will not be ready in time for the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations – which begin on February 17 and this year correspond to the Year of the Horse – the city’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has assured that they will be installed throughout this year.
Construction work will begin next week and is expected to take at least six months.
A work by Okuda San Miguel on the arch
Work by Okuda San Miguel in the Madrid metro || Editorial credit: Flickr / @javier1949
Furthermore, according to a contract award announcement published on the Public Sector Contracting Platform, the Chinese-style arch or gate built for this ‘Chinatown’ in Usera will be topped by a sculpture.
The paifang, which will be located in Plaza del Hidrógeno with Isabelita Usera—in the Pradolongo neighborhood— will feature a creation by artist Okuda San Miguel at the top, who has been selected for the production, installation, and maintenance of the work with a base tender budget of €280,000.
In addition to his “proven experience and proven quality in multiple iconic creations in urban locations with large crowds,” his relationship with the district stands out, as it is “the headquarters of his space for creation, management, and dissemination, with more than 1,000 square meters at his disposal.”
The new promenade and dragon-shaped park
Image courtesy of: Madrid City Council
As we mentioned, the installation of these arches is just one of the steps that the city council has been taking for some time to turn Usera into a ‘Chinatown’ similar to those in other cities such as London or New York.
In this regard, for example, a new promenade connecting Usera with Madrid Río—studded with elements of Chinese culture— and a dragon-shaped playground have recently been inaugurated.