Chinatown Introduction

Chinatown is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Over a hundred years ago, mines and railways depended on Chinese workers, and those migrants built North America's third biggest Chinatown. Only the Chinatowns in New York and San Francisco are bigger. Chinatown is a really interesting neighbourhood because it has a lot of history but always has something new.

On this tour, we're going to check out a classical Chinese garden, a contemporary Chinese mall, one of Vancouver's oldest buildings and the narrowest commercial building in the world.

And there are lots of great places to eat along the way. Chinese bakeries have cheap and tasty snacks that you can eat while you walk. Dim sum is great for a sit-down brunch or lunch. And there are lots of other amazing restaurants too.

We'll walk past stores selling live seafood, traditional herbs, and the latest and greatest electronics. You'll also find a growing number of places run by a new generation of Chinatown business-owners. From skate shops to vintage clothing, these spots are bringing new life to the neighbourhood.

We'll also spend some time checking out Vancouver's only black neighbourhood. Or at least, where it used to be.

Greater Vancouver now has over a million people of Asian descent and that started in Chinatown. This neighbourhood may have done more to influence what Vancouver has become than any other part of the city.