Chinatown in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lin Zexu Memorial Statue
Summary
Lin Zexu (1785-1850) was a Chinese scholar and official during the late Qing dynasty. He is most famous for his fight against opium smuggling in Guangzhou, China. In 1838, Lin was sent to Guanadong to halt the importation of opium by the British. He confiscated more than 20,000 chests of opium and supervised its destruction during a 23-day campaign beginning on June 3, 1839 in Humen China. This action is usually considered to be the primary catalyst for the first Opium War (1839-1842) between Britain and China. In recognition of his valiant fight against narcotics and British invasion, Lin is highly respected in the history of China as national hero.
Erected 2012.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1839.
Location. 39° 57.416′ N, 75° 9.345′ W. Memorial is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Chinatown. It is at the intersection of North 10th Street and Vine Street (County Road 2676), on the right when traveling south on North 10th Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1000-12
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Regionally, this memorial is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chinatown Protests the Prison (1992) & Stadium (2000) (a few steps from this marker); The "Save Chinatown" Movement (1973) (a few steps from this marker); Chinatown PlayZa / 華埠樂園 (a few steps from this marker); "History of Chinatown" - 10th & Winter Streets (1996) (a few steps from this marker); Friendship Gate - 10th & Arch Streets (1984) (a few steps from this marker); Heywood Chair Factory (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philadelphia Chinatown (about 700 feet away); First African Baptist Church Cemetery (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Additional keywords. Opium Wars
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 118 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the non-Roman text • Can you help?
