It's a well-known fact that San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, among other western cities have a "Chinatown," which means at one time, there was a large influx of Chinese residents, and since they were new to a foreign country, they tended to bond together and to keep they're keep the food, customs and culture in a central place.  If I migrated to China, I'd seek out westerners, particular ex-U.S.-types, as I'd feel a lot more comfortable mingling with them, rather than the locals, as I'd be a lot more familiar with my customs, over the customs of my adopted country.

Way, way, back in the 1860's, many Chinese came to the U.S. to build the transcontinental railroad, which was an engineering masterpiece for the 19th century.  After the railroad was completed, the Chinese folks suddenly found themselves as unwanted baggage, and endured many years of persecution.  In the early 1900's, there suddenly became a need for labor to build a canal near the Mexico/U.S. border in the vicinity of the present city of Mexicali. Thousands of Chinese workers migrated to the fertile plains of Mexicali to help build the canal.  After the canal was completed, many stayed in the area.

 

Photos:  Chinese pagotas and the Hotel del Norte, at Av. Madero and Av. Zorilla.

Photo:  A somewhat sunnier view of the Chinese pagodas at the park at Av. Maderos and Av. Zorilla, in downtown Mexicali.

Mexicali is interesting as it is the only Mexican border town that is also a state capital.  Mexicali is Baja California's second largest city, second in population only to Tijuana, 120 miles to the west.  Mexicali's economy isn't dependent upon tourists, as it is an industrial center, farming center, distribution center, and the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California.

Chinese migrants found a home in Mexicali.  When you cross the border, from the U.S. into Mexico, as you head south on Calzada Lopez Mateos, turn east onto Av. Madero, and you'll soon find yourself into the heart of Mexicali's Chinatown.  

Sure, you expect to see this in San Francisco, New York or Vancouver.  Hey, wait a minute, you're in Mexico?  Head over to Av. Madero and Calle Nelgar in Mexicali, and you will find yourself in Mexico's largest cluster of Chinese emigrants.  Chinatown, in Mexicali, is a cluster on one and two-story buildings known as "La Chinesqua" and has more Chinese restaurants per block than anywhere else in Mexico.  When you frequent this area, you will hear Chinese spoken, I'm told the dialect is Cantonese, however as a non-speaker of Chinese, I can't verify that, but the language is frequently mixed with Spanish.  You'll meet folks with names like Jose Wong, or Yee Sanchez and they'll greet you with a mixture of Spanish, Chinese, or a bit of English.  

Unfortunately during my last visit to Mexicali's Chinatown, I didn't get the opportunity to take many photos, but check back as that will be remidied.  Enjoy the interesting city of Mexicali.