The historic Chinatown in Victoria, British Columbia is the oldest Chinatown in Canada, and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco's. Once home to the largest Chinese population in the country, during its historical peak in the 20th century, Victoria's Chinatown was a densely populated maze of shops, theatres, schools, and temples.
With a surge of immigration in the late 19th century, Victoria's Chinatown grew by leaps and bounds. The area quickly garnered a seedy reputation because of the rise of opium factories, gambling dens, and brothels. As the decades past, the area began to decline in both population and size, and by the 1980s plans to significantly revitalize Chinatown had begun.
Today, Victoria's Chinatown is popular with artists, tourists, and locals alike. Places like Fan Tan Alley showcase the oddities and history within this unique neighbourhood. Between the markets, coffee shops, bright lanterns, and vibrant colours, there's an undeniable energy here. Victoria's Chinatown has become a must-see downtown attraction within the city, and in 1995 it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Known as the narrowest street in Canada, Fan Tan Alley is a notable attraction within Victoria, British Columbia's historic Chinatown. At its narrowest point the alley is only 35 inches across and features entrances to a variety of small shops, offices, and galleries.
I'm sure the comparison has been made before, but Fan Tan Alley is kind of like a real life Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. Historically, the alley was a gambling district with restaurants, shops, and opium dens. In the 1980s low rent attracted artists and the alley began to evolve into an attraction. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a popular tourist spot and features a lot of unique characteristics that make Victoria's Chinatown such a fascinating place to explore.
