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Lion dancers perform during the opening ceremony of Shanghai Plaza, Las Vegas, 2017.
Courtesy of Shanghai Plaza Architect, Ruomei Wang

Shanghai Plaza

4258 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Early to mid 1990’s

In the 1860s, Chinese laborers built the railroads that opened the American West, literally laying the tracks for Nevada’s growth. Over a century later, immigrant Henry Hwang carried this pioneering spirit when he created the Chinatown Mall, transforming Spring Mountain Road into a vibrant cultural hub. By blending Tang Dynasty architecture with modern Asian businesses, Hwang created a celebrated district, officially recognized by the state in 1996, that honors Asian American visionaries who shaped Las Vegas’s global identity.

People:

• Henry Twang (1947-)
  • Henry Hwang is the founder of Chinatown Mall in Las Vegas and the visionary behind the Las Vegas Chinatown District. After moving from Taiwan in the early 1990s, he saw the need for authentic Asian dining and shopping options for both tourists and the local Las Vegas community. He and his team developed Chinatown Mall and transformed Spring Mountain Road into a thriving pan-Asian business district.

Learn More:

• https://chinatownvegas.com/
• https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/12/24/las-vegas-chinatown-crosswalk-opens-more-coming-across-corridor/

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Chase away evil spirits for the new year in China Town Plaza during their Chinese New Year celebration.
Courtesy of Shanghai Plaza Architect, Ruomei Wang

For questions or comments, please reach out to the Clark County Museum at ccmuseum@clarkcountynv.gov.