Chinatown Today 今日唐人街

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Chinatown Today 今日唐人街

Helping share Chinatown’s stories – past, present, and future. This neighbourhood was home to early Chinese pioneers in the late 1800’s. So come and visit!

A community older than the city it resides in, Vancouver is home to Canada’s largest historic Chinatown. Designated a National Historic Site in 1971, a visit promises a photogenic look into the history of Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian community through its society buildings, commemorative murals and statues. This historic Vancouver neighbourhood also invites you to experience and engage in a distin

ct living heritage. With streets lined with traditional Chinese businesses, some over a hundred years old, the sounds of clacking mah jong tiles, laughter coming from lively clan houses and Chinese drumming as athletic clubs established in the early 1900’s practice lion dance, you get a chance to not only see history but live in it. Become a part of the community and the experience! True to its cultural roots, Vancouver’s Chinatown is home to incredible authentic Chinese cuisine. With experienced chefs cooking and baking coveted traditional recipes that have been passed down for generations, your stomach will never go hungry! Chinese fishmongers ensure nothing but the freshest catch to appease the palate and markets are stocked with anything you need to make an authentic Chinese meal. In fact, many say Vancouver’s Chinatown serves some of the tastiest Chinese dishes found outside of Asia. A neighbourhood also in a state of transition, you’ll additionally find an eclectic mix of new Chinese and non-Chinese businesses to enjoy. Authentic Chinese foods, a Classical Chinese garden are found side by side art galleries, museums, coffee shops galore among hidden alleyways and spaces that engage youth advocacy. It is this diverse combination of buoyant intangible characteristics, respect for heritage and new businesses that aims to draw intergenerational audiences – local seniors, youth, and tourists alike. Translation:

溫哥華有加拿大最大的歷史性唐人街，而且溫哥華本地的華人社區比其城市有著更悠久的歷史。該社區是19世紀末中國早期先驅者的聚集地，1971年被指定為國家歷史遺址，因此人們可以透過這裡的總堂建築物、紀念壁畫及雕像來了解溫哥華華人社區的歷史。這個歷史性社區也歡迎您體驗並參與到該地獨特鮮活的遺產。街道上排滿了傳統華人商鋪，其中部分已營業了一百多年。麻將桌上洗牌摔牌劈哩啪啦，熱鬧的總堂裡漫出來的笑聲以及1900年代早期成立的體育會練習獅子舞的敲鼓聲。人們不僅可以看到歷史，而且也能活在歷史之中。所以來參觀並且加入社區親自體驗吧！

溫哥華的唐人街符合其文化根源，擁有著最正宗的中國菜。在唐人街，經驗豐富的廚師按照已傳承幾代的傳統食譜來烹飪與烘焙食材，您到了這裡就不會擔心挨餓！華人魚販保障最新鮮的捕獲來滿足您的口味，農貿市場裡也有賣所有做正宗中國菜需要的材料。實際上，許多人說溫哥華的唐人街有著除亞洲之外最美味的中國菜！

因為該社區也處於過渡時期，人們還會發現這裡有新華人經營和非華人經營的企業。正宗的中國菜館同傳統中國花園並排座落在美術館、博物館和咖啡館旁，位於隱藏的小巷和鼓勵青年參與的空間。唐人街的非物質特徵、對遺產的尊重及新企業的多樣組合，目的在於吸引不同年齡的觀光者—當地老年人，青年和遊客！

06/15/2026

Summer Solstice is here!

From June 15-30, welcome the longest days of the year by participating in one of the fun events happening in Chinatown. There are a bunch of free/low-cost things to do including a walking tour, several talks, a Kirin dance workshop, and a go tournament at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden.

The auspicious activity to do this month is DO: try handmade sticky rice dumplings (zhong) at Kam Wai Dim Sum (249 East Pender Street). This is, of course, perfectly aligned with solstice and the time of year when the Dragon Boat Festival typically takes place.

Did you know that it is common to eat zhong during the Dragon Boat Festival? Eating zhong at this time is believed to commemorate the well-known poet Qu Yuan. In some folk tales, Qu Yuan was known as a loyal poet and minister in ancient China who threw himself into the Miluo River to drown after facing political exile. It is said that villagers went into the river on boats tossing rice dumplings into the water to distract the fish from the minister’s body. Zhong (pyramid-shaped steamed sticky rice dumplings) are a nod to the rice dumplings from this tale.

yvrchinatown chinatownvancouver yvrevents freeeventsvancouver freeevents chinatownevents strathconaevents solstice dragonboat zhong go kirindance

05/30/2026

The days continue to get brighter and longer as we move into June!

With the warmer weather and our tide-themed Volume 6, we’ve been thinking a lot about the sea recently. Our auspicious activity for the beginning of June is “Do: Buy fresh seafood from Gar Lock Seafood (252 East Georgia Street),” which is perfect timing since Spot Prawn season is happening right now!

From June 1-14, there’s a range of free/low-cost events to attend, including parties (indoors and outdoors), workshops, talks, an essay reading group, and a bunch of exhibitions happening throughout Chinatown this month.

We’d like to feature an event organized by “” called Tiles and Togetherness. Come welcome the summer weather by playing mahjong in MacLean Park on June 13. All are welcome to join or observe; an instructor will be available to teach anyone new to mahjong at the 2 designated beginner tables.

yvrchinatown chinatownvancouver yvrevents freeeventsvancouver freeevents chinatownevents strathconaevents mahjong sunwahcentre

05/26/2026

make sure you click the link in our bio to learn more about what we do! (and while you’re at it, apply to be a board member!)

Chinatown Stories Chinatown Today Publication

05/22/2026

become a board member and help get our name right!!!!!!!! apply by May 27 @ 6:00pm!

Link in our bio to apply!

#唐人街

05/18/2026

our most frequently asked question…. EVER

link in our bio to learn more about Chinatown Today (AND APPLY)!!!!

#唐人街

05/16/2026

The solar term for this calendar update, 小满 or “small full,” describes the growing expansion of summer grains before they are fully ripened. In anticipation of the bustle of summer events in Chinatown, we’re feeling a small sense of fullness as the days grow longer and warmer. Here’s what we have on the calendar for free/low-cost events in Chinatown from May 15-31!

We’d also like to highlight the following film screening, hosted outside of Chinatown but by the Chinese Canadian Museum as part of Asian Heritage Month:

“Clan of the Painted Lady” Film Screening & Director Q&A
[PAID] Saturday, May 23, 2:00-4:15pm at VIFF Centre (1181 Seymour Street)
Hosted by

This week, we’ve pulled another auspicious activity from our “Let’s Walk Chinatown!” Card Deck: “Mindfully stroll and observe the details of Chinatown’s storefronts.” There have been some changes to storefronts in the neighbourhood recently – can you spot the differences?

[ yvrchinatown chinatownvancouver vancouverchinatown 唐人街溫哥華 yvrevents vancouverevents freeeventsvancouver freeevents community chinatownevents]

05/15/2026

[APPLY BY May 27] Join the Chinatown Today Board of Directors!

Chinatown Today is looking for volunteers who are passionate about Chinatown and have strong connections to the community to join our Board of Directors starting in June 2026. Apply by May 27, 2026!

If you have lived experience in or a strong connection to Chinatown, are passionate about our community and stories, and want Chinatown to continue as a vibrant, living community that fosters connections across cultures and generations, join us on the Board of Directors and help Chinatown Today share Chinatown’s stories – past, present, and future!

This is a 5-10 hour per month volunteer opportunity that requires attending Chinatown Today’s online Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 24, 2026 and biweekly board meetings, with the expectation of a minimum two-year term. We are prioritising filling the roles of:
- Secretary,
- Vice President,
- Social Media Lead, and
- Project Lead(s).

In particular, we are looking for applicants with experience and interest in the following areas:
- Publications,
- Events,
- Graphic & Web Design,
- Social Media Management & Content Creation,
- Volunteer Coordination, and
- Administration.

Here at Chinatown Today, we recognise the diversity of Chinatown stories and the importance of making space for new voices and perspectives. We welcome applicants aged 16 and over with lived experiences in, a deep passion for, and commitment to Chinatown. We encourage applications from those who identify as Chinese Canadian and other IBPOC, as well as those who face marginalization on the grounds of race, gender, or disability. Additional qualifications or assets for aspiring Directors include Chinese language proficiency, and previous board or volunteer experience in Chinatown or with a non-profit organisation.

Apply through the link in bio by 6:00PM on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

#唐人街

05/03/2026

One week since we launched Chinatown Stories Volume 6: Tide 潮!

You can purchase Volume 6 online through the link in bio! If you are interested in finding this volume or previous volumes IN-PERSON, we’re in stores at and .

We also want to take this opportunity to highlight the cover of the new volume, designed by Cynthia Tran Vo (). As the designer for Chinatown Stories Volume 6, Cynthia’s graphics embody the theme of Tide/潮 cover to cover, with lots of layered collages and blue & green tones throughout that hint at how water and cycles underlie everything in Chinatown.

Thanks again to our publication sponsors, Canada Summer Jobs and through the Communities and Artists Shifting Cultures Cultural Project Grants Program, and our launch event venue sponsor, . We’re so honoured to give physical form to these stories of our community with their support.

04/30/2026

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Chinatown with these free/low-cost events as we jump into May!

From films to walking tours, drawing workshops and educational talks, here’s what we have from May 1-14, 2026.

We’d also like to highlight a couple of Chinatown-adjacent events:

Dental Care Mondays
[FREE] Monday, May 4 & May 11, 10:00am at Cornerstone (601 East Hastings Street)**
**Make sure to sign up @ UGM Women & Families Centre (616 East Cordova Street)
Hosted by

Drag Bingo: Artist Care & Survival Fundraiser
[PAID] Thursday, May 7, 5:30pm-9:00pm at The Vines Den (825 East Hastings Street)
Hosted by

This week, we’ve pulled another auspicious activity from our “Let’s Walk Chinatown!” Card Deck: “Spot the turtles at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden () or at the neighbouring Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park (578 Carrall Street)”

The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden was first opened to the public in 1986, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary with events at the end of April. As the weather gets warmer, the garden and the free public park next door, some of the few green spaces in our neighbourhood, are great spots to watch nature come to life. While the garden does require paid admission and does not allow food or drinks, the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park is one of the few free and publicly accessible green spaces in Chinatown, and has seating available if you want to munch on baos or a Cha Chaan Teng club sandwich while looking for turtles. Access is usually possible through the gate on Carrall Street, as unfortunately the gates at 50 East Pender Street is closed and the one facing the Chinatown Memorial Square on Columbia Street has been permanently locked for several years despite community calls for it to reopen. Entering through the gate on Carrall Street does require stepping over a metal bar that rises a few inches off of the ground, so for those with wheelchairs or mobility issues, it’s often necessary to ask someone to enter on Carrall and open the gate on Pender.

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Address

50 Pender St E
Vancouver, BC
V4H 1S2

Website

http://chinatown.today/

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