Complete Guide to Vancouver's Chinatown

Attractions & Activities in Vancouver, BC's Historic Chinatown

By
Dana Lynch
Dana Lynch
Dana Lynch is a travel expert specializing in the Pacific Northwest who was a lead blogger for Tourism Vancouver and a writer for CNN's Insider Guide.
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Updated on 05/10/19
close up of the Millennium Gate in Vancouver's Chinatown
Rudy Sulgan / Getty Images

Vancouver, BC's Chinatown is not only the largest Chinatown in Canada, it's one of the largest in the entire western hemisphere! It's second only to San Francisco in land-size and has the third-largest population (after San Francisco and New York.)

Vancouver's Chinatown developed in the late 1800's and is one of the city's earliest residential and commercial neighborhoods. Chinese pioneers and immigrants played an important part in the history of Vancouver; for example, from 1881 - 1885, 10,000 Chinese laborers were contracted to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, the transcontinental railway that would connect Vancouver--and British Columbia--to the rest of Canada.

Today's Chinatown is both a bustling commercial district and an important historic center, a testament to both the history of Chinese-Canadians in Vancouver and of Vancouver itself.

One of the Top 10 Attractions in Vancouver, Vancouver Chinatown is packed with attractions, monuments, shops, dining, and nightlife; it's easily walkable and best explored on foot. And yes, it's safe! (If you have mobility issues, or would prefer a tour guide, many of Vancouver's Best Sightseeing Tours include a trip through Chinatown.) 

01 of 07

Getting to Vancouver Chinatown

Chinatown in Vancouver, BC
Photo by Dana Lynch
Address
Chinatown, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Get directions

If you're staying in Downtown Vancouver, getting to Chinatown is easy: just hop on the Canada Line / Skytrain (Vancouver's rapid transit system) and get off at the Stadium - Chinatown station.  Walk north on Abbot Street then east on Keefer Street and you're in the heart of Chinatown.

You can also drive to Chinatown (there is metered street parking), or use the bus.

Map to Vancouver Chinatown

Vancouver Chinatown is roughly bordered by Hastings Street to the north, Taylor Street to the west, Georgia Street to the south, and Gore Street to the east.

02 of 07

Vancouver Chinatown Landmarks & Attractions

Vancouver Chinatown's Millennium Gate
Image Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
Address
26 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1R3, Canada
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Web Visit website
  • The Millennium Gate (junction of Taylor Street and Pender Street; pictured) is the grand "entrance" to Vancouver Chinatown. Created at the turn of the millennium, the Gate represents Chinatown's "Journey through Time" with a combination of Eastern and Western symbols. 
  • Tiny Shanghai Alley was the original center of Vancouver Chinatown, a fact commemorated by the West Han Dynasty Bell that sits in the middle of the alley. 
  • The world's narrowest building, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is in Vancouver Chinatown: the Sam Kee Building (1 East Pender Street) is just six feet wide!
  • The Chinese Cultural Centre (555 Columbia Street) was the first museum in Canada dedicated to Chinese history and culture. The Centre has an archive and a small museum dedicated to Vancouver Chinatown culture and history; its exhibitions highlight works by Greater Vancouver Chinese-Canadian artists.  
03 of 07

Chinatown's Can't-Miss Attraction: Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Garden, Vancouver, BC
Image Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver / Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)
Address
578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada
Get directions
Phone +1 604-662-3207
Web Visit website

The can't-miss attraction in Vancouver Chinatown is the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden (578 Carrall Street), a bastion of tranquility in the heart of the district. There are both free and paid-admission areas of this garden to explore; I recommend paying for the full experience. (The free portion is rather like a free preview; if you like what you see even a little, you'll love the full garden.) This classical Chinese garden is one of the Top 5 Gardens in Vancouver.

04 of 07

Vancouver Chinatown Shopping

Inside Bamboo Village, an Import Shop in Vancouver's Chinatown
Photo by Dana Lynch
Address
121 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T6, Canada
Get directions
Phone +1 604-683-3698
Web Visit website

Shopping in Chinatown is largely focused on Chinese goods and imports, though not exclusively. The Chinese import shops run the gamut from high-end Chinese antiques to low-end souvenirs, toys, and gadgets. Overall, it's a great place to browse for home furnishings, small gift items, and Chinese fashion.

A few favorites include:

  • Ochi (121 East Pender Street), a high-quality Chinese fashion boutique, with both modern and traditional styles.
  • Bamboo Village (135 East Pender Street), a packed-to-the-rafters import shop with everything from lanterns and fans to antiques and calligraphy sets.
  • Décor of China (122 East Pender Street), which specializes in higher-end Chinese antiques and home furnishings.

Chinatown has plenty of Chinese groceries and Chinese medicine shops, too, which carry specialty ingredients and are fun to browse, even if you aren't planning to buy.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.
05 of 07

Dining in Vancouver Chinatown

Crab dish at Floata Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver Chinatown
Image Courtesy of Floata Seafood Restaurant
Address
139 Keefer St #155, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3, Canada
Get directions
Phone +1 604-688-9328

In 2010, Condé Nast Traveler named Vancouver's Chinese food "the best in the world," better even than Hong Kong and mainland China! Today, most of that incredible Chinese food can be found in Richmond, BC (check out the Vancouver Chinese Restaurant Awards for the best Chinese food recommendations), but there are still a few stand-outs in Vancouver Chinatown.

  • Gold Stone Bakery & Restaurant (139 Keefer Street) is a local favorite for its Hong Kong-style diner food and sweets, including egg tarts and sticky buns.
  • Kent's Kitchen (232 Keefer Street) serves big portions of Chinese food with a small price tag.
  • Floata Seafood Restaurant (180 Keefer Street) is a classic Chinese restaurant that hosts Chinese New Year celebrations and is most famous for its seafood and dim sum.
  • Bao Bei (163 Keefer Street) serves up a contemporary twist on Chinese food in a trendy eclectic space. 
  • Sai Woo (158 East Pender) has a cozy dining room and is the best place to enjoy dumplings and other Asian fusion comfort food. 
  • Fat Mao (217 East Georgia Street) is a hip noodle house that is perfect for a rainy day. 

It's not Chinese, but Phnom Penh (244 E Georgia Street) is an acclaimed Cambodian and Vietnamese restaurant that locals love for its flavorful dishes and chicken wings.

06 of 07

Vancouver Chinatown Nightlife

Keefer Bar in Vancouver's Chinatown
Image Courtesy of Keefer Bar
Address
135 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3, Canada
Get directions
Phone +1 604-688-1961
Web Visit website

Chinatown has grown into a nightspot destination like Gastown and the Granville Street Entertainment District, and is home to two Vancouver favorites: the Keefer Bar and the Fortune Sound Club.

07 of 07

Vancouver Chinatown Annual Events & Festivals

Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade 2013
Image Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver

Vancouver Chinatown plays host to several annual festivals and cultural celebrations throughout the year, including:

Chinatown used to host the Chinatown Night Market on weekend nights May-August, but the Night Market went on indefinite hiatus in 2014. You can still experience Vancouver's summer night market tradition at the big, Asian-style night markets in Richmond, BC.

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Visitor's Guide to Vancouver Chinatown