China and Canada established diplomatic relations on October 13,1970. The Chinese Embassy in Canada had initially leased the top two floors of the Juliana Building at 100 Bronson Avenue as temporary premises in Ottawa. In 1972, Chinese government purchased a historic building at 515 St. Patrick Street along theOttawa Rideau River as the official premise of the Chinese Embassy in Canada to this day.

This historic building was originally a Catholic monastery. In 1866, Mother Marie de St-Jerome Tourneux de la Galaiserie of the Order of Our Lady of Charity came to Ottawa from Montreal, and Bishop Joseph-Bruno Guigues provided her with two wooden houses along the Rideau River as a temporary place to stay and preach. In 1875, Mother Marie built a spacious monastery on the original site with assistance from provincial government and the Rennes Monastery. Designed by M. J. Bowes, one of the architectsfor the Parliament Building, the monastery was completed in 1877 and was named "Monastery de Notre-Dame de Charite du Refuged'Ottawa". In 1895, based on the design by architect J. S. J. Routhier from Montreal, the monastery was expanded on the eastside and formed the current H-shaped architecture. On July 22, 1938, a fire severely damaged the roof and interior of themonastery, but the sturdy exterior walls were retained. In 1941, designed by architect Jean Serge Lefort, the building was rebuilt based on its original structure and style, and was renamed the "Monastere de Notre-Dame de Charite du Bon-Pasteurd'Angers". In the following years, due to financial difficulties andloss of personnel, the monastery was slumping day by day, and was eventually shut down for sale in the early 1970s.

After purchasing this property, the Chinese Embassy maintained the building's original architectural style. The building occupies a total of 7,800 square meters, with offices, meeting rooms and a visa office. A new entrance for visitors was opened in the middle ofthe building in 1972. In 1985, the Cultural Complex adjoining tothe main building was completed as the venue for grand diplomatic receptions and functions. In 2015, the embassy started another expansion project to build an additional reception hall anda multifunction hall, which was completed and put into use in 2016. In January 2023, the embassy held a musical reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the relocation of the Chinese Embassy on the current site.

The courtyard of the embassy creates an elegant environment, integrating natural and cultural scenes, forming a dazzling landscape.