The China Creek placer occurrence is located near the confluence of China and McLaughlin creeks, about 8 kilometres southeast of Port Alberni. The area is underlain by argillites and shales of the Cretaceous Haslam Formation, Nanaimo Group.

Reported production of placer gold from China Creek, prior to 1895 was about $40,000 (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1895, page 649). The source of the gold is likely from gold-bearing quartz veins in the upper part of China Creek and it's tributaries.

The area is covered by a dam and pondage for Port Alberni's water supply.