Vancouver is home to North America's second biggest
Chinatown. It is located just east of downtown Vancouver and easily accessible
by SkyTrain. It is a busy neighbourhood were the locals shop and Live.
There is lots to do here:
Browse through the fascinating shops
Stroll through the fresh market
Consult a traditional Chinese medicine herbalist
Take one of the many walking tours: shopping, cuisine, architecture, and
cultural.
Chinatown in Vancouver Attractions
Silk Road Route
The Silk Road Route is the first pedestrian walk connecting Chinatown to
Downtown Vancouver. Clearly marked throughout with colourful banners and
road signs, this self-guided walking tour encompasses all of Chinatown's
activities services and cultural highlights. Starting from the city
centre's Central Library, the course takes you through Keefer Street,
International Village, the site of the future Millennium Gate on Pender
Street, the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Chinatown market area and Dr.
Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Gate
located on Pender and Taylor streets, incorporates both eastern and
western symbols with traditional and modern Chinese themes in its
construction and appearance.
Historical Alley
Between 1890 and 1920, early Chinese immigrants settled in what was
known as Shanghai and Canton alleys. They were the convergence of
vibrant nightlife, opera music, shopping, and political and cultural
activities.
Han Dynasty Bell
located in Shanghai Alley outdoor museum
This chosen centerpiece for the historical alley memorial commemorating
Chinese history in Vancouver is a replica of a West Han Dynasty bell
unearthed in Guangzhou, China, in 1983.
Sam Kee Building
At only 1.8 meters (six feet) wide, this phenomenal structure has been
recognized by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the world's narrowest
building.
Century's Winds of Change Mural
This seven-metre by 14 metre (23 foot by 16 foot) wall mural records the
historical times of the Chinese in Canada.
Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives
The Chinese Cultural Centre opened its museum and archives to the public
in 1998. The building's exterior is styled in the Ming Dynasty period
with a modern western-style interior.
The Monument of Canadian Chinese
This special rectangular column-like monument was erected to commemorate
the historic achievements of the Canadian Chinese.
There are lots of interesting markets with many varieties of fresh
and dried seafood and mushrooms. You'll also find inexpensive house ware
and traditional Chinese medicine. Everything from ginseng to green tea,
fine embroidered linens, silk robes, exotic fresh produce plus
traditional Chinese tableware and cooking utensils. Natural apothecaries
and herbalists abound in Chinatown, and it's the best place in Vancouver
to buy freshly-prepared Asian delicacies from moon cake to roasted duck.
Chinatown in Vancouver Location
Bordered by Hastings, Keefer, Gore and Taylor Streets, Chinatown is
to the east of the downtown Vancouver core.
Chinatown in Vancouver Restaurants
Chinatown
is the place to go if you hunger for a good hearty meal, or even a fast
snack. From Dim Sum to dumplings, Chinatown offers a wide variety of
dining.
If noodles or more exotic dishes are your taste check out the many
restaurants and bakeries that crowd Pender, Keefer & Main St. Upstairs
and down.
Chinatown in Vancouver Night Market
Chinatown Night Market
(Mid May - Early Sept)
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
100 & 200 block of Keefer Street
(between Gore, Main &
Columbia Street
Styled after Asian marketplaces where shopping is
personal, local and bartering is the name of the game,
the Chinatown Night Market is one of Vancouver’s summer
highlights. Stalls and tables set up on Keefer Street
are loaded with bargain-priced merchandise, including
CDs, garments, novelties, watches, food and accessories.
Enjoy horse-carriage rides on Fridays, entertainment
shows on Saturdays, and family fun and games on Sundays.
Walking & Biking
If you are walking from the downtown hotel district, follow the Silk
Road walking route, marked by colourful banners. The stroll only takes
10 minutes to arrive at the Millennium Gate, the imperial entrance to
Chinatown. Cyclists should follow the Silk Road to the steps of Cambie,
then travel North to Pender, and then turn east onto Pender.
Transit
A short distance from two SkyTrain stations (Stadium or Main Street) and
located on the major bus routes, Chinatown is fast and easy to travel
to.
Chinatown in Vancouver parking
Indoor Parking
Chinatown Plaza Parking at 180 Keefer Street
Sun Wah Centre at 239 Keefer Street
Golden Crown Centre at 211 East Georgia Street
Outdoor Parking
Corner of Taylor and Keefer Street
Corner of Columbia and Keefer Street
At Main next to 10.8 Beauty Salon
At 231 East Pender Street
At 23 West Pender Street
At Union Street near Main Street
Meter Parking
Along Taylor Street, Keefer Street, Carrall Street, Pender Street,
Columbia Street, Main Street, Gore Street and Georgia Street.
Chinatown
is the place to go if you hunger for a good hearty meal, or even a fast
snack. From Dim Sum to dumplings, Chinatown offers a wide variety of
dining. 
To
learn more about the life of the Chinese in Vancouver, head to the
Chinese Cultural Center and Museum.
