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Chinatown
Chinatown in Vancouver has been in
existence sine the late 1880's. It is the second largest Chinatown in North
America after San Francisco.
During the late 1980's and 1990's Chinatown
suffered from a loss of identity after most new Chinese immigrants choose to
settle in the the City of Richmond south of Vancouver.
With a fresh coat
of paint and genuine pride in their heritage the Vancouver Chinese community
has brought back the original Chinatown experience with open air markets,
medicine shops, dining and many more businesses.
The difference
between the Chinese area of Richmond and the original Chinatown? Two words -
urban sprawl. Richmond is a suburb of Vancouver and as with most major
metropolitan areas in North America the suburb shopping areas are spread out,
an automobile is a must. In contrast Chinatown is a very compact area and is
easily walked.
Chinatown is situated on Pender and Keefer Streets
(East-West) and along Gore Avenue, Main, Columbia and Abbott Streets
(North-South.)
Notable things to see in Chinatown:
Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Chinese Cultural Centre Museum
Han
Dynasty Bell, located in Shanghai Alley outdoor museum
Sam Kee Building-
recorded in Ripley's Believe It or Not as the world's narrowest
building. |
Chinatown Millennium Gate on Pender Street near
Abbott
Looking east along pender Street towards
Main
One of many open air markets |
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