A Guide to Vancouver Chinatown Location, Shopping, Hotels and Restaurants

Information on Vancouver Chinatown, things to see, places to eat and Hotels near Chinatown.

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By Darrin Robertson, VTT Editor - Updated: January 17, 2023

There are many places to see and things to do in Chinatown, you will have a memorable visit, experiencing all the delights of a trip to the Far East without the need for a passport or visa.

Chinatown in Vancouver is a center of cultural wonder, welcoming you with exotic sounds, tastes and smells.

As you stroll through one of the largest Chinatown areas in North America, you will be caught up in the stunning array of food, shopping, and sights that await you.

Chinatown entrance in Vancouver!

Location of Vancouver Chinatown

Chinatown is located in the area between Pender, Georgia, Gore, and Taylor streets, east of downtown Vancouver, near Gastown.

Public transportation makes it easy to reach Chinatown, both Skytrain and the public bus system make regular stops in Chinatown in Beautiful Vancouver.

Things to see in Chinatown

Learn more about the history of Chinese Canadians at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Archives. Dedicated to the promotion of the Chinese culture in Canada, this museum hosts Chinese artistic and cultural events.

A visit to the Chinese Gardens of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, adjacent to the Cultural Centre, is a grat place to visit. An authentic representation of a Ming Dynasty garden with its lush beauty is breathtaking. All of the structures in the garden were built in the traditional way – without nails or screws.

The Sam Kee Building is one of the most unusual buildings in Vancouver, and is only 6 feet wide! Discover how widening a street influenced the construction of the world’s narrowest office building!

Chinatown Night Market is one of the most popular Chinatown attractions during the summer and is held Friday through Sunday nights, 6:30 – 11 pm from May through September, it boasts a wide variety of both exotic Asian wares and incredible bargains.

Many of the shops, excluding restaurants, close around 6 pm, so, unless you are going to Night Market, you should plan your shopping trips for earlier in the day.

For the Best Discounts in Vancouver Chinatown

Free Parking at times, can be hard to come by, but there are pay parking meters in the area.

Hotels near Chinatown

Some of the Chinatown hotels and those near Chinatown are the best-known hotels in Vancouver. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has luxurious amenities that are sure to help you relax and feel pampered.

Dominion Hotel may be a budget hotel, but this off-the-wall spot boasts funky rooms that have each been decorated by a different local artist.

The Ramada Limited is a great hotel and only three blocks from Chinatown. Whatever your needs, you will find the accommodations you desire among the many hotels nearby.

Places to Eat in Chinatown

Chinatown restaurants present an array of specialties and delicacies at prices for every budget.

Floata Seafood Restaurant is one of the largest and best-known restaurants in the area, serves fresh seafood and dim sum, along with a wide array of other offerings.

Foo’s Ho Ho Restaurant, the oldest Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, serves traditional country-style Cantonese food.

Of course, there are many restaurants throughout Vancouver Chinatown, where you can duck in quickly to buy barbecue pork buns or other specialties. Don’t forget to stop at one of the many bakeries for dessert!