New Ocean Paradise

In most cities, you can find Chinese restaurants built in a traditional and sometimes stereotypical style of architecture. But what you might not realize is that some of these places served as more than just restaurants, but also places of cultural exchange. The New Ocean Paradise in Rotterdam is a perfect example of such a place that dates back to the mid-1980s.

With its steep walls, pointed towers, and large entrance gate, the New Ocean Paradise, colloquially known as the Bamiboot or Chinese boot, resembles a Chinese fortress upon first glance. In reality, the place is much more interesting. Inside it houses an Asian supermarket, a three-star hotel, a restaurant, a garden filled with Chinese plants, an aquarium, a museum with miniatures of Chinese landmarks, and a theater.