Vancouver Chinatown
Posted by cvancouver on May 21, 2008
Today I went to Vancouver Chinatown for my biannually teeth check-up today at Chinatown. And I thought that it would be a good idea to take a few pictures while I’m at it and post them on the website.
According to Wikipedia, Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. The exact figure on the Chinatown’s website suggests it to be the second largest in North America. From the sentences, it may sound like it is a very large district. In fact, it is limited to the size of a few city block.
Since 1885, Chinatown is much of a gathering place for early settlers from Hong Kong and China. Mandarin and Cantonese are often spoke here. However, until recently, settles from China are now settling in the suburban city of Richmond on No. 3 Road. This leaves Chinatown in a distinct mark in the history of Vancouver.
Chinatown offers a peak at the Chinese culture; a look into how the Chinese culture is different from Western cultures. For example, I find that Chinese stores are notorious for having crates of goods piled up on to the side walk. In addition, I find that Chinese medicine shops have the not-so-ordinary items in stock for sell. For instance, dried starfish, dried seahorses and deer tails to name a few.
You would also see seafood that would have live fishes, crabs, and etc. Once you decide on one, they will wack it, chop it and wrap it for you to take home and serve it. On the other hand, meat stores would have meat all hung on hooks and you would have to choose which ones you like to have it chopped.
When you’re driving around Chinatown be extra cautious because people like to jay-walk.
There are other interesting tourist places like the international village Tinseltown and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. However, I don’t have the pictures for those places.
For more information click on here for Chinatown’s website and here for Wikipedia.
