Vancouver Chinatown |
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Chinatown This is North America's second biggest Chinatown, after San Francisco's. Mandarin and Cantonese are the mother tongues in 30 per cent of Vancouver homes, which makes Chinese the largest "minority" ethnic group. There are lots of interesting markets with many varieties of fresh and dried seafood and mushrooms. You'll also find inexpensive houseware and traditional Chinese medicine.  In
the heritage area around Main Street and Keefer, you'll find 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. The summer
weekend night markets are always popular, especially for cheap imported goods
and a vast smorgasbord of take-out food options.What a fascinating world you’ll find as you enter Vancouver’s amazing Chinatown! As the largest Chinatown in Canada, this neighbourhood is alive with a myriad of sights and sounds of the Far East. Step into the world of the largest ethnic minority in Vancouver and explore colorful shops boasting a variety of unique items, including Chinese clothing, baskets, and linens; martial arts equipment; exquisite antiques, stationery, and artwork; and fascinating Chinese herbs. During the summer, on weekend evenings, Keefer and Pender Streets become a busy open-air night market. If you have time for a leisurely meal, try dim sum at one of the many small restaurants. It is an inexpensive, multi-course culinary adventure. Relax in the peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, or marvel at the ornate Millennium Gate - just steps away on Pender Street. Visit the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, or participate in one of its many activities. Vancouver's Chinatown is the place to visit for a taste of Chinese culture: Browse through the fascinating shops Stroll through the fresh market Consult a traditional Chinese medicine herbalist Stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Take your photo in front of the massive Han Dynasty Bell in Shanghai Alley Take one of the many walking tours: shopping, cuisine, architecture, culture.  When
it’s time to eat, you’ll find the choices are staggering. From traditional
Chinese cuisine to Asian Fusion, the restaurants in Chinatown are top-notch.
Don’t forget to stop at one of the neighbourhood’s many bakeries or spend some
time at the Fresh Market, where you can buy fish, meat, produce, and other items
to create your own sumptuous meal.To learn more about the life of the Chinese in Vancouver, head to the Chinese Cultural Center and Museum for a lesson about Chinese immigration to North America. Also make a stop at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden and enjoy peace and tranquility amidst a beautiful floral setting. |
 Chinatown Night Market (Mid May - Early Sept, 2008) 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. |