Is Heinlenville a Good Place to Live?

Nestled within the city is one of the best neighborhoods in San Jose, historically known as Heinlenville. Established in 1887 in the proximity of another prominent Asian-American cultural district of Japantown, it used to be one of the six historical Chinatown boroughs. What distinguishes this region, however, is its remarkable history marked by rebirth and transformation. You see, in the year it was built, a mysterious fire demolished the entire district and forced its residents to evacuate. After the catastrophe, a courageous local businessman named John Heinlen faced many challenges to return this area to the honorable Chinese people, and that’s how Heinlenville got its name. Today, apart from having a thriving Chinese community, it’s also home to people from all walks of life, so you needn’t worry about fitting in here.

IT HAS A DEVOTED, NURTURING COMMUNITY

In the beginning, Heinlenville was a small community surrounded by a fence. The fence was their shelter from the rest of the world and served to protect its residents from any harm that may come their way. However, as the population grew, the locals decided to unlock the gates in a symbolic gesture during the 1994 Chinese Summer Festival. The so-called crossing of the moongate allowed other Golden State residents from various cultural backgrounds to relocate to this beautiful neighborhood. When you arrive at your new home, you will find that the people here are characterized by their generosity and genuine devotion to the community, which makes Heinlenville one of the best places to raise a family in California.

THE ONLY PLACE IN CALIFORNIA WHERE YOU CAN SEE SAN JOSE’S GOLDEN DRAGON

The Golden Dragon is a famous Chinese ceremonial dance that originated during the rule of the Western Han Dynasty in 200 BC. In the olden days, its purpose was to summon rain and bring relief during periods of heavy drought, and it was usually performed by the male elders and sages. Historians believe it was first brought to the United States’ territory at the turn of the century when the Chinese community witnessed growth in population. The San Jose Golden Dragon was last seen in 1924 just in front of the Ng Shing Gung temple before it disappeared for a period of time. It was restored decades later through the efforts of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project initiative. The Chinese Summer Festival held in 1995 brought new life to the Golden Dragon in a ceremony referred to as “the awakening,” and thankfully, it has since appeared around 152 times. It is now considered an important piece of cultural heritage preserved by the locals with reverence and care, and a must-see attraction for newcomers!

IT’S HOME TO THE TEMPLE OF THE FIVE GODS

The Temple of the Five Gods or Ng Shing Gung is another cultural landmark. Built in the late nineteenth century, the temple houses the statues of five Chinese divinities: Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy; Choi Sun, God of Wealth; Cheng Huan, God of Canton City; Kwan Gung, God of Loyalty and Righteousness; and Tien Hou, Queen of Heaven. However, it’s much more than just a place of worship. There’s a community center on the ground floor where locals can sign up for different activities, such as learning the art of Chinese calligraphy, and it includes a children’s classroom. At some point, it also served as a hostel for travelers from all around the United States. Visiting this enchanting place should definitely be the number one priority on your moving to-do list!