The Vanmag Neighbourhood Guide: Gastown and Chinatown

It’s hard to say exactly where Gastown ends and Chinatown begins (in fact, arguing about the borders between neighbourhoods is one activity that will make you sound like a true Vancouverite) and these two neighbourhoods, while distinct, have a lot in common. Here, you’ll find a fascinating history of diverse cultures and a community of people dedicated to preserving the city’s memories and building a better future. There are museums and art galleries aplenty, tons of quick-service spots for delicious Asian bites and, in the centre of it all, the oldest Chinese Garden on this side of the world.

Visit a cultural centre

Vancouver’s Chinatown has existed since the 1880s, and that rich past is documented all over the neighbourhood. To learn more about the history of Chinese Canadians in the city, explore the Chinese Canadian Museum (51 E Pender St., chinesecanadianmuseum.ca) or the Chinatown Storytelling Centre (168 E Pender St., chinatownstorytellingcentre.org). Both feature incredible exhibitions that shed light on both the past and future—and don’t skip the Storytelling Centre’s Foo Hung Curios gift shop.

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Tour an urban garden

For a slice of idyllic nature in the middle of the city, step through the beautiful gates of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St., vancouverchinesegarden.com). The garden offers tours as well as events like tai chi demonstrations, tea festivals and poetry readings. If your peaceful garden walk works up an appetite, grab a brioche doughnut from Mello (223 E Pender St., mellovancouver.com) or a steamed pork bun from New Town Bakery (148 E Pender St., newtownbakery.ca).

Explore Indigenous art and design

A trio of hot spots for Indigenous art? We’re glad you asked. First, there’s Skwachàys Lodge (29 W Pender St., skwachays.com), a boutique hotel and artists’ lodge that has a gallery full of Indigenous creations. Nearby Decolonial Clothing (269 E Georgia St.,  decolonialclothing.com) is a streetwear brand known for comfy clothes and powerful messages. And for jewellery and sculptures, look to Silver Gallery (312 Water St., silvertalks.com).

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Fight the rainy-day blues

OK, it rains here. A lot. But Gastown and Chinatown offer plenty of indoor (and mostly indoor) activities. Eager eaters can take the “Gastronomic Gastown” tour from Vancouver Foodie Tours (foodietours.ca), and those who want to get in the kitchen themselves can take a cooking class at Dirty Apron Cooking School (540 Beatty St., dirtyapron.com). Slip in to your obligatory Lululemon and do the downward dog with actual dogs at Pups Yoga (180 E Pender St., pupsyogavancouver.com), or hunker down at Greta Bar (50 W Cordova St., gretabar.com) for arcade games and nachos.

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