Arrowtown’s 1862 gold rush attracted hopefuls from all over the world. Many of the Chinese miners came from the Guangdong province in Southern China and settled along the banks of the Arrow River. Though they attracted their fair share of xenophobia, the miners endured until the gold petered out.
Most returned home, but a few remained, making a living with market gardens. One of Arrowtown’s oldest residents, now 91, still remembers meeting the last Chinese miner.