Chinatown Madrid now has its own gateway. The paifang in Plaza del Hidrógeno, designed by artist Okuda San Miguel, will be officially inaugurated on October 1, becoming the first monumental Chinese arch in the city.

Titled Two Cultures in Love, the structure is a white concrete gateway topped with metal roofs, standing eleven metres high and twelve metres wide, with an eight-metre-wide passageway. Its decoration, which began on September 21, brings together the two symbols at the heart of the artwork: a bear, the emblem of Madrid, and two dragons, symbols of China. The calligraphic characters running across the structure convey ideas of coexistence, respect and harmony.

The project is the result of a collaboration between the Usera District Council, the district’s Chinese community and the artist himself. It is intended both as a meeting point for the neighbourhood and as a new attraction supporting local shops, restaurants and businesses.

The arch is permanently open and free to visit: there are no opening hours or admission fees. It can be reached by Metro Line 6, getting off at Usera station, as well as by EMT bus routes serving the district.