Things to Do in Vancouver's Chinatown

What to do in Vancouver's beautiful Chinatown?

Vancouver's Chinatown is home to numerous eateries, shopping areas, and cultural attractions. This vibrant area offers various activities for all ages, from exploring heritage tours to sampling some of the city's finest Chinese cuisine.

Take a tour. Consider joining an official tour to get a deeper understanding of the area. Many different types are available, such as historical walking tours that take visitors through landmarks like the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden or themed excursions focused on food or culture.

Go eating. Chinatown has no shortage of restaurants dishing up authentic Chinese dishes. Whether visitors crave roast duck or dim sum, they'll find something worth savouring in this corner of the city. Plus, it's also home to numerous bubble tea shops and dessert spots serving unique treats like pineapple buns and egg tarts!

Explore natural attractions. At nearby Dr. Tanks Park and Tatlow Park, explore meandering trails that offer beautiful views of mountains and waterfalls, perfect for outdoor adventures. The Vancouver Seawall is also great for outdoor activities such as cycling and jogging along the coastline, with stunning next-level views during sunset and sunrise.

Stroll around Hawkers Market/Pop Up PG Street Food event: Both markets offer indoor food stalls where guests can taste tasty bites from top chefs worldwide – from Thai to Mexican fare. It’s all represented here! Not only can guests eat their way around these markets, but they can also enjoy performances filled with traditional music!

Peruse local independent stores: From herbs shops offering home remedies to old-school local retailers selling hand-crafted bamboo baskets filled with produce, there are plenty of opportunities to explore life in this unique neighbourhood!

Celebrate festivals: Chinatown comes alive year round with various celebrations that celebrate Lunar New Year and other cultural milestones traditionally associated with specific cultures – bring your camera along, so you don't miss out on any' once a year' celebrations!

Visit museums: immerse yourself into a time capsule by visiting local galleries like the Chinese Canadian Military Museum – a great place to learn about how far this community has come since its inception, or perhaps take an afternoon off and appreciate some visual arts at the Van Arts Gallery where exhibits feature potent pieces made by students and graduates throughout the years!

Chinese Cultural Centre

The Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver is a museum and community centre devoted to preserving the area's cultural history. Founded in 1973, the center is home to several museums and exhibits, including the West Han Dynasty Bell, a gift from the City of Guangzhou to the city of Vancouver. It is also home to the Chinese Freemasons Building, which was once a tailor shop.

The center offers a variety of classes for visitors to learn about the culture. For example, you can take a Chinese walking tour, try martial arts, or attend dance classes. You can also participate in the Chinatown New Year Parade or visit the Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Aside from the usual suspects, the Chinese Cultural Centre also hosts international exhibitions. One of the more exciting pieces of art is a mural that depicts the Chinese in Canada over the past century. Located at 11 West Pender Street, the mural traces Chinese history in Canada from 1858 to the present.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a community-based cultural centre in Vancouver's Chinatown. It is a unique venue for cultural programming involving both Chinese and non-Chinese communities. There are a variety of events held throughout the year.

The park is open to the public, free of charge. The Vancouver Parks Board administers it. Visitors can take a free 45-minute guided tour of the garden. For a $12 fee, visitors can also visit the museum portion of the park.

The Sun Yat-Sen Garden is a popular destination among tourists and locals. Events at the site include the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Lanterns in the Garden and Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. These festivals feature live music, fire performances and other festivities.

The Garden of Ease, one of the garden's highlights, features colourful carp and jade-coloured water. The garden reflects Taoist principles of balance and harmony.

DD Mau's restaurant

A recent visit to DD Mau's latest incarnation in China Town revealed a shiny new restaurant on the block. DD Mau is taking over a space below a local club. At the same time, the family-run eatery is upping its game with a corporate catering arm. Hopefully, it will pay for itself soon. And in the meantime, if you're in the mood for some tasty grub, there is no reason not to drop by.

The DD Mau menu includes everything from a drool-worthy "party starter" shot to some Banh Mi sandwiches suited for sharing. But if you're looking for a more substantial entrée, the best bets are the pork belly, duck and beef ramen options. On the plus side, DD Mau is open late, so you won't have to worry about getting hammered.

Chinese New Year festivities

If you're looking for a way to spend your New Year's Day, you might consider taking in some of the festivities in Vancouver's Chinatown. This citywide event, held annually, includes a parade, cultural fairs, and vibrant street fairs.

One of the main highlights of the Chinese New Year is the parade, which occurs in the heart of Chinatown. It's one of Vancouver's most popular events and attracts over 50,000 people yearly. During the Chinese New Year 2023 celebration, the parade will be held on the first Sunday of the year, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Chinese New Year parade features several colourful lions, a few bands, and dance teams. Hundreds of participants from local organizations take part in the parade.

Art galleries, museums, coffee shops, and youth advocacy

In the past few years, Chinatown has become a hot spot for heritage and community advocacy efforts. These have centred on youth initiatives and activities. The City of Vancouver has been incorporating various youth-oriented recommendations into its economic revitalization strategy for the Chinatown neighbourhood.

These programs include the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Youth Collaborative for Chinatown, and the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee. The Chinese Cultural Centre fosters respect among Chinese Canadians and aims to educate Canadians about Chinese heritage and culture.

The Youth Collaborative for Chinatown (YCC) was a summer-long experiment in public space activation in Vancouver's Chinatown. This collaboration, which the Hua Foundation supports, sought to develop a concept for revitalizing public spaces in Chinatown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe for me to travel alone in Vancouver

Yes! Yes! There have been numerous cases when solo travelers have traveled around the city in safety. But it is essential to be aware where you are going and to take extra precautions when visiting unfamiliar areas. Vancouver is a great place to start your research and learn about the city. It is also a good idea to tell someone back at home your travel plans. This way, if anything does happen, someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

While there are always risks to travelling anywhere, solo travellers can take simple precautions to minimize them. Trust your gut instinct and don't hesitate to ask for help if you are unsure. Take note of where you are and what's around. Be careful with valuables. Keep them near your body. Avoid walking alone, especially in dark places or areas without lighting. Vancouver is generally safe, but you should be careful, just like any other city.

What is Vancouver's coolest neighbourhood?

Vancouver has many cool neighborhoods. Vancouver's coolest neighborhood is not the only one. Kitsilano is the home of some of Vancouver's most picturesque beaches. Kitsilano is home to the most popular restaurants in town. Kitsilano houses some of the most costly homes in town.

Which is Vancouver's most beautiful area?

This is a hard question to answer because beauty is subjective. Many believe Vancouver's natural scenery to be some of the most stunning in the world. From its stunning coastal views to its towering mountains and lush forests, Vancouver has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty.

Vancouver's Pacific ocean is where I love to be. It is where we meet our maker. It is also where I find my peace when I'm feeling lost. The ocean is a vast expanse of water that doesn’t care if you live there or not. It is open to everyone. It's the perfect place to go if you feel like you have been running too fast or need to slow down.

Nothing is more relaxing than walking along the shoreline, watching the waves crash into the rocks. It's a wonderful way for you to reconnect with nature and clear your mind.

How much does it set you back to travel around Vancouver Canada?

A taxi ride from Vancouver costs an average of $12.00 per kilometre. The cost of an average taxi ride from downtown to UBC is USD 30.00.

Renting a car in Vancouver costs USD 5.00 an hour.

Buses are the cheapest option. SkyTrain single tickets cost CAD 2.80 (USD 3.40) while day passes are only CAD 5.60 (5.20 USD).

Statistics

• 12.5 percent of the province's area (114,000 km2 or 44,000 sq mi) is considered protected under one of the 14 different designations that includes over 800 distinct areas. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Trends of urbanization mean the Greater Vancouver area now includes 51 percent of the province's population, followed by Greater Victoria with 8 percent. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Johnson led the coalition to the highest percentage of the popular vote in British Columbia history (61 percent) in the 1949 election. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Over 40 percent of Vancouver's residents were born outside of Canada, and the city is home to robust Chinese, Indian, and Filipino communities, to name a few. (eater.com)
• British Columbia has moved from approximately 10 percent of Canada's population in 1971 to approximately 13 percent in 2006. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

vancouversun.com

• Conflicts and consensus in Vancouver's Political History
• Needles everywhere. Ideas for ridding city of them? Not so many. | Vancouver Sun

cbc.ca

• Road signs along the Sea to Sky Highway offer insight into the history of the Skwxwu7mesh people
• Temperature record broken in Lower Mainland -- again | CBC News

www2.gov.bc.ca

• Population estimates - Province of British Columbia
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food – Province of British Columbia

hellobc.com

• Vancouver Island
• Cowichan & Southern Vancouver Island

How To

Most popular restaurants in Vancouver, Canada

The most popular restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, according to Google Trends

Vancouver, Canada, is a popular tourist destination. Visitors come from all over the world to visit it. Vancouver saw nearly five millions tourists in 2017. This figure rose to 6.5million in 2018 It is well known that tourism is important to the city's economies, but many people also come here to enjoy its beauty and culture. Vancouver's unique food scene is one of its greatest assets. There are many places to eat at reasonable prices, including cafes, bakeries and pubs.

We've created a list of Vancouver's Top 10 Restaurants to help you decide which restaurants to visit. We've ranked them based on their popularity among locals and tourists alike. These spots might be the best for you if something isn't what you expected.

1. Japadog is a Japanese hotdog made from a dog. It's sold at more than 3,000 locations in North America. People often order Japadog as a snack, but it's also available for lunch and dinner. You can choose from spicy, sweet, teriyaki, plum, curry ketchup or ginger garlic soy sauce. You can wash down the delicious treat with a cold beverage, sake, cocktail, or mixed drink.
2. Joe Fortes: This famous location has been serving fresh seafood since 1885. Their specialty is oysters. They also offer sushi, burgers as well as pasta and steaks.
3. Eatsa is another American concept created in California. You can find healthy smoothies and juices, as well as soups and sandwiches, pastas, and desserts made with fruits, vegetables and grains. All ingredients are organic and locally sourced.
4. The Wandering Goose has comfort food, such as mac & cheese, gravy, and mashed potatoes. You can also order your favorite pizza, soup, salad and sandwich.
5. In 2014, Coquine Bakery opened in Kitsilano Beach. The bakery began selling cupcakes, cakes, and cookies in 2015. They also sell cookies, cakes, brownies and muffins as well as breads, bagels, croissants and other baked goods.
6. Bao Bei's goal is to bring Chinese street food into Canadian cities. They offer buns filled with everything, from fried chicken and dumplings.
7. Moxie Gelato Bar stocks gelatos. There will also be coffee, tea and cocktails on tap.
8. Purple Porch Coffee Company makes all types of drinks using local ingredients. You can eat breakfast, lunch, brunch, snacks, and sweets there.
9. Nuba Kitchen & Lounge specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine. They feature Lebanese dishes like shawarma, hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, mujaddara, tabouli, and pita bread.
10. Tractor Tavern is a gastropub located in Shaughnessy Village. They specialize in comfort foods like meatloaf, pulled pork, and mashed potatoes.