In Close: Vancouver’s Vanishing Chinatown

Vancouver’s Chinatown flourished against the odds to become a booming cultural center. Recently, as longtime residents have seen gentrification take a toll on the cultural richness and history of the area, new strides are being made to preserve the area’s history and culture.
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[@aidanlai9430]

Although I was very young, I remember the last bits of liveliness in Chinatown in the late 90s and early 00s. I still visit very often but it really has degraded from a authentic "Chinatown" to a dirty haven for junkies and the mentally challenged. Some people say Chinatown moved to Richmond but I disagree. Richmond's "Chinatown" just doesn't have that same culture aura Vancouver's did. Newer generations of Chinese Canadian culture is mainland China-influenced which hugely differs from the old generation's culture which built Chinatown were based from Republican China, Colonial Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The once alive Vancouver Chinatown will always sit in a special place in my heart.

[@JKL0529]

Well said

[@georgeghleung]

Not necessary mainland China -- in fact I dare say there's still quite a bit of people from Hong Kong in Richmond. So it depends on what you meant by "China-influenced". Is it the materialistic aspect?

[@aidanlai9430]

​@@georgeghleung I certainly agree that there are still many Hong Kong people residing in Richmond. It is quite clear that the newer Mainland Chinese immigrants are much more influential in both materialistic and social aspects. In Richmond, simplified Chinese is slowly overtaking the usage of traditional characters on signboards and advertisements. Even in politics the influence is noticeable, with flag-waving, nationalistic Chinese swarming pro-Hong Kong protesters at Oakridge Mall and Broadway-City Hall Station. I wouldn't say the new influence is entirely negative but just overwhelmingly different from the previous generations of immigrants.

[@Jestersage]

@@aidanlai9430 Aye. Unfortunately we must recognize that Chinese-culture are more materialistic than we like to admit, regardless of where we are from. And the lack of care of history is not something we can blame mainlanders either. I work in a major office in Chinatown located there due to history. One of the staff is from Taiwan, and they wonder why the main office is not located in Burnaby.

[@richardquan2108]

Yes! We need this old time china town because it’s part of our history! Richmond may be the new Chinatown but serves a different purpose and population. I live in Richmond, born & raised in Victoria and visited Vancouver’s Chinatown during summer school holidays. Then worked in Vancouver from 1976 to 1990. I’ve seen the change and it hasn’t been for the better. I’m glad there’s people that care and are doing something about it. 🇨🇦🙏😇

[@colo5220]

My family and I visited Vancouver Chinatown this summer in 2022. We were scared and horrified. We were afraid for our safety even though we are from high-crime NYC too. This is just shameful to see what happens to these normal law-bidding people besieged by ubiquitous homelessness and blatantly public use of illegal drugs. Just shameful to see your sanctimonious and holier-than-thou politicians didn't do anything about the area.

[@emmanuelchan8292]

Visited Vancouver's Chinatown today for the first time and I was shocked at how rundown it was. It was dirty and deserted. Half the storefronts were empty or closed. There was no life at all. Of all the Chinatowns that I have visited in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Victoria, Vancouver), this has got to be the worst of the lot. Even Victoria's China block was more charming that this. And definitely did not feel very safe walking there...way to close to the Downtown Eastside. It was still okay in daylight...wouldn't want to walk through at night.

[@wonglee2424]

You are right Emmanuel we go there during daylight hours in the winter and bail before 5-6pm we visit from San Francisco and love Vancouver and Chinatown but there is a point to get out when the getting out is good we take the bus back to Granville. The food in Chinatown is great and love the culture but after dark it's time to leave the neighborhood.

[@matinazadeh6870]

Chinatown is moving to Richmond

[@JeiBurke]

"Moving to" Uh huh.

[@charmander777]

It's just not tourist friendly.they need to look at San Francisco's Chinatown as an example. Even Victoria's is better. There's just too many druggies and its so dirty

[@kenyee9566]

That’s the problem with the druggies and alcoholics, and homeless people on Hasting Street next to Chinatown-I feel it’s not safe.

[@ABCDEF-no1cv]

brian yvr I wish I knew about this before stopping by there. Didn’t realize it was ghetto area

[@chinh-miho915]

@@kenyee9566 but almost homeless , druggies are not from Chinese .

[@Mynameispumbaa]

who needs china town when you have richmond lol

[@flglies810]

The old days Chinese immigration, Chinese Immigrants want to work now Chinese can work anywhere without racism.

[@grigorkyokuto7546]

Cantonese town vs Mandarin town

[@sirhxgh4721]

Pumbaa g comment of the day 😂

[@rwkc3004]

Victoria Drive and Fraser St should be Chinatown now

[@nonename7869]

History is important and I think we need to consider reviving Chinatown.

[@foodictivetv2130]

Our shop is near the Carnegie centre. If you know this place, you know what the condition on the street is like... We don't hate those people but really hope there is better system that will make a situation better.

[@lionofjudahlambofgod9132]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aF7HnauEhN6ogMk

[@lionofjudahlambofgod9132]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGTcfmOXf6eqnKs

[@rickwebster860]

Expo 86 started the changes we see now. We showcased ourselves to the world, and sold out.

[@dbeecooks]

Totally agree!

[@Brick-Life]

expo 86 is good

[@garaldtao1801]

North American China Towns are no longer the same. I am the 4 generation and the last hold out of the Lo Wah Que's and my kid's (5th gen) and grand kids (6th gen) are remiss to understanding even a single word in Toi Shan much less Cantonese. My Chinese is flawless because I grew up near China Town but in this day and age, with the changing demographic this would be a near impossible task for my children.

[@spentcasing3990]

If there serious about saving Chinatown then they have to get the homeless and drug users out of the area. That means Hastings street has to be revitalized and push those kinds of people away from the area. Otherwise you'll always have them spilling into Chinatown and dragging it down

[@MrDwightsimon]

We need to put a Berlin wall around the Downtown Eastside and lock all those crackheads in there for good

[@georgelee1906]

Great memories , there was not one empty store back then . I work and lived in Chinatown many years in its hey day . So many changes .

[@Belfreyite]

Chinese People are fearless traders and if the money goes, they go too. Why try to save something with sticking plaster?

[@kathieli8060]

It seemed to be a time to demolishing and upscale living life over there. I went to China town in SFC or NYC, USA before Covid-19 started. It was still pretty good and safe at night by that time. Right now I prefer to continue living in Germany and Switzerland. We can find Chinese foods in many places and have got all ingredients from China in Vietnamese Groceries Shop or Asian Market or every supermarkets.

[@errolthomas9426]

Wow. And I have always wanted to check out Vancouver's Chinatown since David Carradine was there making Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and Chen Lung was there filming Rumble In The Bronx during the 90's. Smh.

[@3024266]

美麗的風景線,恭喜恭喜

[@MrDwightsimon]

Congratulations for what?

[@fallenshallrise]

The way the area is going is that buildings are run down to the point that they can't be rented they sit empty for about a decade until they are torn down and a new building is built in its place. And this is happening to a lot of buildings all at once all along Cordova, Hastings and now Pender. It's sad but half the store-fronts on some blocks are boarded up. There are a LOT of people who would love to use these spaces for stores or studios or galleries or whatever but they just sit empty.

[@julieerin115]

What a great opportunity for the junkies etc. to squat.

[@ricksmith9794]

that's life

[@pentapandamusic]

Without security everything else is meaningless.

[@domtam6571]

I've done my share of traveling and always make it a point to visit Chinatown in whatever city I happen to visit if one exist. I will be visiting Vancouver for the first time this coming October of 2022 and I'm sad to hear of the state that it is in. All Chinatowns have a history. I hope that history will withstand the test of time.

[@edwardsallow6734]

the problem is that mandarin speaking chinese immigrants that came to the Vancouver area don't feel anything for chinatown. the old chinatown's culture is rooted in cantonese and the pearl delta region are just as foreign to the new immigrants as canada.

[@MrDwightsimon]

@@edwardsallow6734 The problem isn't other Chinese people, the problem is city policies that cater to crackheads

[@richardbowers3647]

Poem "The Young Heart." The young heart could not recall What the old heart knew all along. Now the two must share What the new time brings There, the love will grow.

[@leonardlan3589]

It’s so weird seeing old Chinese people speaking English.

[@kenyee9566]

One day, you will be old-and the younger generation will say the same thing about you.

[@slam5]

@@jetstream6389 A lot of people see Chinese only as Mainland Chinese when in fact Chinese had been in Canada since 1770. Sad..

[@julieerin115]

Maybe because they've been living in Canada for generations.

[@vapourtrail7194]

well it's 2021...and really no improvements...I think a better idea (bear with me) is to make Chinatown a Heritage landmark...much like Fort Langley. I do not for one want to see all the History or hard work and preseverance of A culture that is so ingrained much like my own people that came here so long ago to be lost. They, along with many other cultures Made what BC is today. we should Preserve what we can of Chinatown and defend it so it isn't lost.

[@MrDwightsimon]

It's already lost. Vancouver city council caters to crackheads first and taxpayers last

[@Brick-Life]

i live in melbourne and went to Vancouver in sep 2019. It is very unsafe because full of drug people. I also went to Seattle and their Chinatown is a lot nicer

[@timberwolvesxx7250]

melbourne is better than both cities

[@Crushbra]

Seattle is less of a dump than Vancouver but San Francisco and Portland are almost as bad. Must be socialist politicians

[@geministar392]

wait, so everyone is leaving vancouver?

[@firebladex8586]

😂👌

[@jacobrocks7]

The problem is you have to walk through the the esstside to get to Chinatown and that’s scary...simply a problem..people rather go to Richmond for food

[@Justaperson717]

Richmond is the new Chinatown.

[@luciousmani]

Just go to Richmond.

[@Joakley305]

Very similar in Los Angeles as well. A lot of Chinese business moved to the suburbs. I find L.A China town is still nice, its not a dangerous area. But it is going through gentrification a little with hipster rock bars. For the most its still a tourist attraction of LA. Most Chinese businesses in LA County are in Rosemead, San Gabriel and West Covina.

[@BruinsBeatCanucks]

BC Liberals shut down Riverview mental hospital and dumped all the mental patients in that area... Sad. Need to be tougher on law

[@Bernie3000]

jason! Wasn’t that Vander Zalm and the Social Credit party? I think they might have started the end to Riverview and the Liberals finished it.

[@jasonj.6276]

I haven't been there since 1994. lol.

[@vancouversworstdrivers]

It's too close to downtown...of course condos will take over the land is worth so much money

[@Pairofkingsup]

Pal, all of Vancouver is a Chinatown. - from a Chinese Canadian 😛

[@JeiBurke]

Thats why its so great tbh.

[@normantran7640]

It's sad to see China town disappearing slowly.

[@roberts7931]

Yes it is Sad ! 😢 Our City Council & their Greedy Developer Friends are destroying History . . to build Condo Towers for Yuppies !

[@firebladex8586]

True, it should dissappear quickly

[@rawjor]

5:11 peter chao - thats what has become of him I see

[@Ultradude604]

Oooh that is peter

[@SgtStarSlayer]

Well, COVID-19 situation has made it that much more worse.

[@davebusink2019]

Why? When Vancouver is aka Hongcouver.

[@SgtStarSlayer]

Since 70’s and 80’’s

[@MrAntiSellOut]

Vancouver. If you want Chinatown to make a comeback, all you have to do is get rid of the junkies, the Hipsters, and the Yuppies.

[@el-9657]

School

[@algorerhyth]

Vancouver is one big Chinatown ... r u for real Chinatown is disappearing ?

[@markrichardson3566]

Jimmy drop a billion their

[@joanberry2143]

The mayor & the people of Vancouver should get some balls & make sure that China Town stays. It is like they are allowing the junkies etc. Just do what ever they want.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

Maybe they don't care if Chinatown stays 🤔

[@dorianmode69]

More like allowing the drug dealers to thrive. There is some very dirty dealings that are allowing the drugs to flow.

[@lawrencelawrence3920]

I was in Vancouver over a year ago and it has lost its soul , it's just another bland city.

[@Brick-Life]

i live in melbourne and went to Vancouver in sep 2019. it is a lot better than australia

[@julieerin115]

The only thing going for it is its natural surroundings.

[@lawrencelawrence3920]

@@julieerin115 at a very high cost. There are better and more affordable places in the province to enjoy similar natural resources.

[@441meatloaf]

Real chinatown is in richmond.

[@AlA-ok5jh]

Need two police officers 3 shifts on patrol just in Chinatown. Also 3 officers on 3 shifts in skid row area… 3 officers 3 shifts Granville …on weekends 5 officers …. When people feel safe they will shop. Plus police presence will stop lots of crime including vandalism.

[@tombillard5264]

its canada not china gimme a break we dont need a pocket rep of any country

[@goliaboi]

Canada is a multicultural country, Vancouver ESPECIALLY. You're free to move to the prairies if you enjoy whiteness so much.

[@cavelleardiel]

It is called progress. People don't want to be discriminated against but want their own town. I would rather live in an area where I can experience different cultures. Now, with covid, it is going to be on line......

[@TheRealEffluence]

Vancouver is Chinatown

[@domeperruzza]

To many Chinese in Canada

[@Crushbra]

This country only takes immigrants from 2 countries

[@JKL0529]

The disappearance of the Chinatown is not mainly because of the “crime” or “new upscale building”. It is because of the inventors are pouring money to develop the new Chinatown - Richmond.

[@Crushbra]

This video was made in 2017 saying they are working on improvements. It's almost 2023 and it's still a dump

[@subarui]

The helplessness of politicians is maddening. They have been afraid to make decisions for many years. Here, - is not in such a situation - democracy is needed, as people are dying. Immediately prepare rehabilitation and medical camp in Surrey. Prepare for life. Teach through work. This is the only way out. After that immediately remove everyone from the street move to Surrey and take investment steps in the East End.

[@Crushbra]

The politicians don't even go see the poor. What's worse, a politician who ignores the poor (christyClark) or a liar who says they will help bit don't (JohnHorgan)

[@javelinblue5414]

I think the cultural heritage is important, but you're not Chinese anymore, you're Canadian.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

REALLY SAD ..... CLEAN UP THE STREETS ..... Another BIG ISSUE

[@julieerin115]

Vancouver is a trainwreck.

[@bruhholmes]

Oh boo hoo, they have all of Richmond now

[@davidmu2443]

At least we know Vancouver is still more multicultural than Toronto

[@davidmu2443]

Essentially. I would say Toronto is about exactly the same(politics, demography, characteristics, likeliness, etc) as the city of Chicago and Baltimore, and perhaps some other U.S cities combined too. Toronto is changed a lot from g20. Toronto is full of ignorances anywhere. All the plantiful jobs that are once hear are currently declining and not as good as they used to be, just like in the U.S. Toronto's Chinatown is just plain crappy and dangerous right now. I wish one day, Vancity would increase more international jobs like in Colarado. Vancouver should renovate the Chinatown someday with more security power by at least 25-30% while maintaining it's major quality. I'm just so sick and tired of the cold cruel Ontario. I want to go somewhere warmer. I also am considering the U.S after I graduate from post-secondary.

[@ThePauloSalonga]

You say that as if like that's a good thing.

[@elmodogood9803]

David Mu Multicultural = Whites, Chinese, and Indians who keep to themselves in their ethnic neighborhoods. not very multicultural

[@davidsonnow]

David Mu If you’re sick of the cold and cruel Toronto and then come to the warm and loving Vancouver!

[@davidsonnow]

Elmo Dogood exactly

[@MikkyunUnlimited]

NO MORE HONCOUVER!!! Canadians are really tired.

[@davidweidman3169]

@@bobabola1386 Yes we are !

[@vintageb8]

Some property agents beg to differ

[@vintageb8]

Does anyone care?

[@firebladex8586]

I sure don't

[@Crushbra]

Not me,

[@edwardchan3769]

We need to remember why Chinese first came to this new land just as we need to remember how Hong Kong has developed into what it is today. Let’s preserve our heritage and not allow the past to overtake our future.