Victoria's Chinatown

On Vancouver Island, on the west coast of British Columbia, lies the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Victoria’s Chinatown was built by the miners and gold-seekers that flooded to the area from China in 1858. It has seen periods of both incredible growth, recession, and a modern-day revitalization that makes it one of the most unique neighborhoods in the area to visit.

Visiting Victoria’s Chinatown

The Gate of Harmonious Interest is the entrance to Fisgard Street—one of the most popular stops for tourists and well known for its artistic community. From the narrow Fan Tan Alley to the historic buildings and businesses lining the streets, there’s plenty to explore for souvenir hunters or those interested in taking a tour of Victoria’s Chinatown.

About Victoria’s Chinatown

Known for its maze of alleyways, courtyards, elaborate arches, and stunning architecture, Victoria’s Chinatown has played an important role in the past and present of Victoria, British Columbia. The entrance of Victoria’s Chinatown is marked by the impressive Gate of Harmonious Interest, and visitors here can explore quirky storefronts, Chinese markets, and authentic restaurants that stand out as some of the most unique in the city.  

History

When gold was discovered in Fraser Canyon in 1858, migrants from around the world swarmed to British Columbia to try their hand at striking it rich. About one-third of the immigrants were Chinese, who came not just for the potential of gold but to escape famine, drought, and war. The Chinese immigrants to the Victoria area set up a small village that progressed quickly into a bustling and vibrant neighborhood of Chinese culture.
While it had a seedy reputation, Victoria’s Chinatown grew to the size of six blocks and 3,100+ residents at its height in 1911. Through the 1920s to 1970s, the neighborhood declined, and by 1973 the population had dwindled to just 173 residents.

In the 1980s, significant effort was made to revitalize Victoria’s Chinatown, and today it offers an eclectic and unique mix of shopping, dining, and immersion in the Chinese culture.

Interesting Facts

Stepping through the Gate of Harmonious Interest is taking a step back in time, where visitors can see everything from historic shops to the first Chinese school in Victoria. Although only a few blocks long, today’s Chinatown offers a fascinating glimpse of Chinese culture and the history of the area’s immigrants.

• Victoria’s Chinatown is Canada’s oldest Chinatown, and it’s the second-oldest in the United States, after San Francisco.
• Between 1876 and 1912, a series of beautifully decorated arches were built to welcome governor generals to Victoria—over time, electronic messages and lights have been added to the decorative arches.
• The first cemetery where Chinese residents of Victoria were permanently buried didn’t exist until 1855—prior to that, Chinese residents would pack up the bones of their deceased family members after being buried for seven years to ship them back to their hometown in China so they could progress in the afterlife.
• Since the 1800s Cantonese opera has been performed in Victoria’s Chinatown, and since the 1980s, the Gum Sing Musical Society performs operas every two years.
• Traditional Chinese dance continues to be an integral part of the culture of Victoria’s Chinatown. In 1992, the local school principal revied the art of Chinese folk dancing in the school.

Points of Interest

As the first and oldest Chinatown in Canada, Victoria’s Chinatown is a historic neighborhood that has fought to preserve its culture and history through the decades. A unique glimpse into the history of the Gold Rush and the blending of Chinese and Canadian culture can be found here, making it well worth the visit for an interesting stop on your tour of British Columbia.