Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New community facilities were built, restaurants and westernized stores opened, and the
streets came alive during traditional celebrations and street fairs.
The heart of Chinatown has moved eastward over the years and is now centered on the
blockborderedbyMain,EastPender,Gore,andKeeferStreets.Withapopulationexceed-
ing 30,000, it is the second-largest Chinese community in North America and one of the
largest outside Asia.
Stroll through the neighborhood to admire the architecture—right down to the pagoda-
roofed telephone booths—or to seek out one of the multitude of restaurants. You'll find
marketsandgenuineCantonese-stylecuisineeastofMainStreetandtamerChinese-Cana-
dian dishes along Main Street and to the west. Chinatown is an exciting place any time of
year, but it's especially lively during a Chinese festival or holiday, when thronging masses
follow the ferocious dancing dragon, avoid exploding firecrackers, sample tasty tidbits
from outdoor stalls, and pound their feet to the beat of drums.
The district's intriguing stores sell a mind-boggling array of Chinese goods—wind
chimes, soy sauce, teapots, dried mushrooms, delicate paper fans, and much, much more.
Along Main Street several shops sell ginseng, sold by the Chinese ounce (38 grams). Cul-
tivated ginseng costs from $10 per ounce, but wild ginseng goes for up to $400 per ounce.
In addition to selling the herb, the staff at
Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co.
(550 Main St.,
604/684-1566) explains ginseng preparation methods to buyers and offers tea tasting as
well.
To get to Chinatown from downtown catch bus 19 or 22 east along Pender Street. Try
toavoidEastHastingsStreetatalltimes; it'sVancouver'sskidrow,inhabited byunsavory
characters day and night.
Chinese Cultural Centre
The
Chinese Cultural Centre
(50 E. Pender St., 604/658-8850) is the epicenter of com-
munity programs for the local Chinese population, but holds interest to outsiders. Around
the corner from the main entrance, the distinctive museum and archives building (555
Columbia St., 604/658-8880, 11am-5pm daily, adult $6, senior $4) catalogs the history of
Chinese-Canadians in Vancouver. The center also sponsors activities ranging from bonsai
displays to cooking classes; admission varies according to what's going on.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Gardening enthusiasts won't want to miss the peaceful and harmoniously designed
Dr.
Sun
Yat-Sen
Classical
Chinese
Garden
(578 Carrall St., 604/662-3207,
ht-
