The forefathers of today’s Chinese South Africans came here in search of Gam Saan, “the Gold Mountain”. Some came as labourers, but many were traders, and they established a vibrant Chinatown on the western end of Commissioner Street. One family who came to this country as merchants still runs a business in Old Chinatown – the Sui Hing Hong supermarket.

It is today run by Mr Walter Pon in a building on the north side of Commissioner Street. Mr Pon’s parents fled China in the wake of the Japanese invasion in the 1930s, and he was born in Sophiatown in 1940. His father opened the shop three years later, naming it after his mother. 

Today, Sui Hing Hong is the oldest remaining shop in Old Chinatown, and is treasure house of Chinese products. 

Our tour begins with the traditional Cantonese brunch, Yumcha, where we will enjoy tea and dim sum on the ground floor of one of Johannesburg’s architectural marvels, Pabst’s Chinese United Mansions. Mr Pon will then lead us through an illustrated history of Chinatown, and we will end our tour in Sui Hing Hong supermarket, where you can shop at your leisure!

This is a tour not to be missed! Email mail@joburgheritage.co.za to book

GUIDES: Mr Walter Pon and Brett McDougall

PARK: 1 Fox Street parking

TIME: 10h00

DURATION: 2.5 hours

COST: R150.00 for members and R220.00 for non-members, including Yumcha