Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown is a distinct micro-neighbourhood located downtown. It’s loved by locals and visitors alike for it’s mouth-watering food scene, unique shopping, and hidden alleys. This landmark neighbourhood is home to the largest number of Heritage Chinese commercial buildings form the 1800s of any city in North America. It’s the oldest Chinatown in Canada and is home to Canada’s narrowest commercial street and the oldest continually operated Chinese-owned business in North America.
About Chinatown
At a glance
Established in 1858, during the Fraser River Gold Rush, Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and the second oldest in North America. You'll find Chinatown in downtown Victoria, from the North side of Pandora Street to Herald Street, and from Store Street to Government Street. Along Fisgard Street, Chinatown's main artery, the neighbourhood runs up until Douglas Steet, on this block you'll find landmarks like the Victoria Chinese Public School. Chinatown is a favourite for foodies and shopaholics offering an array of flavourful eateries and unique shops. Chinatown is deeply rooted in its rich history, keep your eyes peeled for information about businesses, buildings, and the people who built this neighbourhood.
What it feels like to be here
With its rich history and remarkable architecture, a visit to Chinatown feels a bit like stepping into a time machine, being one of the best preserved Chinatowns in North America. Your curiosity will lead you through alleyways, square, and shops, and everywhere you stop to look will teach you something new. A journey through Chinatown is multisensory, you'll feel the cool brickwork of Fan Tan Alley, taste the warm flavours of local restaurants, smell the floral scents of tea shops, see the vibrant colours of lanterns, lights & oil-paper umbrellas, and hear the stories of the neighbourhood, making it the perfect place to linger.
When Chinatown shines
The morning and afternoon are great for foodies, most of the neighbourhoods restaurants are open, making it the perfect time to stop in for some dim sum. Shoppers might prefer the late morning and early afternoon, when the shops are bustling and the neighbourhood feels alive. Evenings are great for those interested in fine dining or snapping photos of the landmarks without the crowds. Without a doubt, the best time to experience Chinatown is when there's an event such as Lunar New Year or Awakening Chinatown, where you'll find a colourful and playful festival atmosphere that spills down the streets and through every alleyway.
Fan Tan Alley
Fan Tan Alley is North America's narrowest commercial street, and its also a hidden gateway into Canada's oldest Chinatown. Find the entrance on Pandora between Government and Store Streets and follow this narrow alley into the heart of Chinatown. Fan Tan Alley might be small, but it's mighty! It's an photographers dream, offering one of the city's most sought after photo ops. Fan Tan is also lined with unique shops and even a museum, so it's easy to spend hours exploring this 73-metre (240-foot) long alley. As you wander, watch for the unique house numbers that truly put the human-scale of this tiny alley into perspective.
Fan Tan Alley
What you’ll love doing
Victoria Chinatown Museum
Located in the Hoy Sun Ning Yung Benevolent Association Building in Fan Tan Alley, the Victoria Chinatown Museum tells the story of the Chinese-Canadians who helped shape Victoria, British Columbia, and Canada. Like the alley, the museum isn't the biggest in the city, but it punches well above its weight, and it's easy to lose track of time amongst the exhibits. In the museum you'll find their permanent collection of images and artifacts plus a series of rotating collections, pop-up exhibits, and games and activities that are fun for the whole family.
Victoria Chinatown Museum
Chinatown Walks
On your Chinatown visit, go a little deeper with a historical walking tour from Chinatown Walks. On these 90-minute tours you'll learn about the history, culture, architecture, and of course, food, of this vibrant downtown Victoria neighbourhood. On your tour you might play the game that Fan Tan Alley is named for, pass by traditional medicine shops, climb the creaking stairs to Canada's oldest Chinese temple, savour Cantonese baking, and much more. This is a great way to experience the neighbourhood for those who don't know where to start.
Chinatown Walks
Dim Sum
Would it really be a trip to Chinatown without stopping in for dim sum? We don't think so. Be sure to stop in for a bite at one of the neighbourhoods' traditional Chinese restaurants, such as Don Mee Seafood House, which has proudly served Victorians for over 90 years. For those who want to try a bit of everything, take a culinary tour of Chinatown with Off the Eaten Track, where you'll get a taste of Don Mee, plus a few other favourites along the way.
Don Mee Seafood RestaurantGate of Harmonious Interest
Spanning Fisgard Street at its intersection with Government Street, this 38-foot tall gate welcomes visitors and locals to the heart of Chinatown. This iconic landmark has become a favourite photo opportunity for photographers and influencers alike. The Gate symbolizes unity, partnership, and reconciliation between the Chinese community and Non-Chinese communities, a towering symbol of what is possible when we work together. On either side of the gate are two hand-carved stone lions donated by Victoria's sister city in China, Suzhou. The gate also houses two time capsules in its pillars and a commemorative plaque for the 61 Chinese Canadians who died during World War II.
Gate of Harmonious Interest
What to do in Chinatown
Chinatown is a playground for history buffs and foodies, and the best part is, it's all easily walkable. Take in the sights and dive into the culture with a walking tour, or dig into the bites as you hop from restaurant to bakery to cafe. Whether you're in the mood for museums, shopping, or even a game of pinball, you'll be pleasantly surprised with all there is to see and do in Victoria's Chinatown.
Local tips
Take a moment to learn the history
As you explore Victoria's Chinatown, you'll find there are countless opportunities to learn about it's rich history. Chinatown is home to the most Heritage Chinese Buildings from the 1800s of any city in North America. Look for plaques and signage throughout the neighbourhood that dig into the stories of the buildings and the people who lived them, or pop into a museum to take a deeper look at the neighbourhood and those who shaped it.
Duck into the alleyways
Historic alleyways stitch together the streets of Victoria's Chinatown. Through these hidden alleys, you'll find local shops, museums, historic architecture, and much more. Fan Tan Alley, Canada's narrowest commercial street, and Dragon Alley, which connects Fisgard and Herald Streets offer a great cultural experience, while also providing an unforgettable backdrop for photos and selfies. No visit to Chinatown is complete without ducking into one of these alleys.
Visit during cultural moments if you can
Chinatown shines brightest during its cultural events. Annual events such as Lunar New Year or the Awakening Chinatown flood the streets with energy, music, and colour. The neighbourhood transforms from a merchant hub to a festival grounds, where you might catch drumming and dragon dances as traditional Chinese performers parade through the streets. You might even find special menus at local restaurants in honour of the occasion.Where to eat
Chinatown is where foodies come to feast. Within the span of just a few blocks, you'll find a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and pubs. Whether you're looking for traditional Chinese fare like dim sum, or non-Chinese favourites like pizza, schnitzel, or butter chicken, you'll find a world of flavour waiting for you between the bricks of Chinatown.
Getting to Chinatown and getting around
How to get to Chinatown
Chinatown is a micro-neighbourhood located in downtown Victoria. It's just minutes from the hotels, shops, and attractions of downtown Victoria, or a short 12-minute walk from the Inner Harbour. It's easily accessible from other Greater Victoria neighbourhoods and communities via transit, car, bike, and ride share. It's proximity to the Johnson Street Bridge, Government Street, and Douglas Street, situates it amongst some of the city's best transit arteries.
Getting around
Chinatown is best explored on foot. Exploring Chinatown by foot allows you to duck into the alleyways, explore shops and restaurants, and get lost in the moment. If you're unfamiliar with the neighbourhood, many of Victoria's top tour guides offer guided walking tours and walking culinary tours of the neighbourhood to show you the must see sights and a few hidden gems along the way. Biking is also a great option, but we recommend locking your bike at a bike rack, and exploring by foot, as the alleyways are not bike friendly.
Where to stay
There are many great accommodation providers within about a 5-minute walk of Chinatown, providing you with the best of both worlds by placing you footsteps from the historic streets of Chinatown, with the amenities of downtown Victoria at your fingertips. These accommodations are highly walkable, highly bikeable, and well connected to the regional transit system.
Pair it with
Downtown Victoria
Connected to Chinatown, Downtown Victoria is an easy addition to your itinerary. Throughout downtown you'll find a mix of Edwardian-era, Victoria-era, and modern architecture housing a myriad of world-class attractions, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutique shopping. Areas like Government Street, LoJo (Lower Johnson Street), Market Square, Bastion Square, and Trounce Alley are popular with visitors and locals alike.
Vic West
Cross the Johnson Street bridge following Pandora, and once you're over the harbour you're into Vic West. Vic West boasts many of the amenities you'd expect from the city, but with a relaxed vibe that feels like a small coastal community. Follow the iconic Songhees Walkway, soak in the harbourfront views, and pop into eateries along the way, such as Canada's oldest brewpub. Vic West is a vibe, one where nature meets city in all the best ways.
Rockland & Gonzales
Just to the east of downtown Victoria, the Rockland & Gonzales neighbourhoods feels like a living museum that's wrapped in nature. The streets are full of old growth trees and heritage homes, and you'll find some of the city's top cultural attractions such as Craigdarroch Castle, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and the famed Abkhazi Garden. This is a favourite for those looking slow down and savour the moment while taking in the rich history of Victoria.FAQs
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