Chinatown in Vancouver, British Columbia is one of the largest in the world and is located just east of downtown. As you stroll the streets, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to Beijing itself. There is much to do and see in Chinatown, from browsing the fascinating shops, fresh food markets (many things you’ve never seen before), to the traditional bakeries to seeking the consult of a Chinese herbalist. You can also take one of the many walking tours while taking-in the authentic cuisine, architecture and culture.
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Here are some specific things to do:
- Sam Kee Building – At only six feet wide, this structure has been recognized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not as the world’s narrowest building.
Chinese Cultural Center -The Cultural Center opened its museum and archives to the public in the late 90s. The building has a western-style interior, while the exterior is designed in the traditional Ming Dynasty period.- Walking - If you are walking from the downtown area, follow the Silk Road walking route marked by colorful banners. The walk is about 10 minutes to the Millennium Gate (the main entrance to Chinatown).
- Chinatown Night Market – From someone who has been to southeast Asia before and experienced how “marketplaces” operate, it’s quite an experience. Open during the summer months during the weekends, the Vancouver Chinatown is a street-styled Asian market where shopping is personal and bartering is encourage…the Chinatown Night Market is a Vancouver highlight.
Chinatown Shopping – There are lots of interesting markets with a variety of fresh and dried seafood, mushrooms…well, just about anything you can imagine. You’ll also find traditional Chinese medicine and everything from ginseng to green tea, embroidered linens, exotic produce and a whole lot more.
This is a really nice (and professional) video I found on the Vancouver Chinatown that I thought I’d share:
