The first recorded sighting of Chinese in Harrietville was in July 1857 following the infamous race riots in the Buckland Valley. Parties of fleeing chinese made their way over the snow covered ranges to seek a safe refuge. Within a few days some 500 chinese had arrived. Around 200 of these chose to stay and while most took up mining claims, others established their own trading houses, most notably Tung On's hotel & store. Many of them settled along what is now Mill Rd. where they also built a joss house. Another settlement was built along the East branch of the Oven's River, the remnants of which can still be seen today. The last chinese resident in Harrietville died in 1920.
In October 2012 a weekend of events was held in Harrietville to commemorate the Chinese pioneers of the Oven's valley. Events such as this help to remind people of the rich and coulorful contribution these wonderful people made not only to small towns such as Harrietville but indeed the whole country.