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Vancouver, Canada
Photo: Shaundd, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gastown and Chinatown are in the east end of downtown Vancouver between downtown and East Van. The area is one of the oldest parts of the city and much of the early architecture and character remains, giving it a different look and feel to the glass and concrete of the rest of downtown. Its boundaries are imprecise, but it is roughly bounded by Gore St in the east, Dunsmuir St to the south, the railway tracks to the north and Cambie St/Cordova St/Waterfront Station to the west. Hastings Street runs between the two neighbourhoods, with Gastown to its north and Chinatown to its south.
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The oldest part of downtown. You will find cobble-paved boulevards and over-priced tourist traps selling every imaginable thing you can print "Vancouver" on. Popular with tourists are the Gastown Steam Clock, promoted as the only active steam clock in the world but in fact an electric clock that pumps steam, rather an underwhelming experience. The area is notorious for aggressive beggars-drug addicts who are quite unsettling.
A distinctive red and mustard coloured building completed in 1910. It was the first steel-framed high-rise built in Vancouver and briefly was the tallest commercial building in the British Empire.
Located at the western edge of Chinatown, it consists of ornamental arches with tiled roofs in traditional Chinese style.
A Ming-dynasty style garden in Chinatown. Built in 1986 by Chinese craftsmen using traditional materials, tools, and techniques, this was the first classical garden built outside China. The gardens combine traditional Chinese buildings, plants, a small lake, and curved footpaths to create the illusion of a very big place within a single block. Tours are available. Compared to the city park next door, the differences are quiet but profound: more interesting materials, richer vistas, greater serenity.
Constructed by Vancouver-area designers at the same time as its classical garden neighbour, this public park shares the lake and the Chinese garden look. But this is a city park, and free to enter.
A clock that tries to look old and belches steam every 15 minutes may not be the most stunning landmark, but it has an endearing charm in a kitschy kind of way. It was built to take advantage of the steam vents that are all over downtown Vancouver, but it never lived up to its billing and now relies on electricity to count the minutes. It is one of a kind though and remains a photographic pilgrimage for thousands of Vancouver tourists.
This two-storey building is the world's narrowest commercial building according to the Guinness Book of World Records, with a width of just 4'11" (1.5 m) at its base. Its slim size is due to the city expropriating most of the lot to widen the street. The owner went ahead and built anyway, and businesses have been operating out of its confines since 1913. If you do take a look, the perspective is better from the other (north) side of Pender.
A high-rise building built in the Beaux-Arts style. It was completed in 1912 and was the tallest building in the British Empire at the time. The tower is noted for its dome (painted to look like copper cladding) and its exterior was used in the TV series, Smallville.
Exhibits on the history of Vancouver's police, unusual weapons that have been confiscated and notable Vancouver crimes. There are also a number of programs and activities geared towards kids.
A small park covering one city block. It has the cenotaph commemorating the dead from World War I and is the site of Vancouver's Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Because there is such a strong Chinese population in the city, the Lunar New Year period is often one of the most exciting and colourful in the city. There is usually a parade in Chinatown and many of the public schools usually have a day off on Chinese New Year. You can also catch celebrations at Tinseltown mall (1 minute from Stadium Skytrain station), and in Richmond at the International Buddhist Temple. There, visitors can experience Chinese New Year festivities with traditional snacks and foods, auspicious flower arrangements, Chinese calligraphy and exciting raffles.
Simple menu but good food. There are four sandwiches, mostly focusing on roasted or braised meat (the Porchetta is the signature sandwich), and two sides that change daily. The bread is pretty dense but the portion of meat is generous so it's a filling meal. To finish it off (if you have room), you can get a bowl of Maple Bacon ice cream. The ambiance is interesting as well, with a couple of long tables for seating... in case you want to chat with your neighbours while chowing down your sandwich.
Spaghetti and other standard Italian dishes, but well-priced and has sidewalk seating.
Very popular restaurant tucked away on a side street in Chinatown that has been winning local readers choice awards for 20 years. The menu is Vietnamese and Cambodian with a large number of dishes. The deep-fried chicken wings and butter beef (similar to beef carpaccio but slightly more cooked, with soy sauce and cilantro) are both very tasty and amongst the most popular dishes. Portions are a good size and in line with the price. It gets crowded quickly, so expect to wait if arriving after 5PM most nights.
Diner-style restaurant that does simple comfort food well. Breakfast menu includes three egg omelettes and eggs benedict; lunch/dinner menu has sandwiches, some entrees and possibly the best burger value in Vancouver (bacon and cheeseburger with fries for $7). Full breakfast menu is served until 11AM on weekdays and 4PM on weekends. Eggs are available all day.
Long-standing brew pub that is popular with locals and tourists. There's a patio and restaurant at street level; pool tables and bar downstairs. The menu is extensive with pub standards like burgers and nachos, but also includes steaks, seafood and pasta.
Nice atmosphere, excellent pheasant, and apparently the only place in Vancouver that serves real Guinness.
Delicious Belgian and Norwegian style waffles, sweet and savoury. Excellent vegetarian and vegan options.
Nice Mediterranean-themed decor with a variety of pizza, pasta, seafood and meat dishes.
Belgian restaurant with mussels and a variety of meat dishes on the menu. A small but delicious selection of vegetarian options. The beer list includes over 25 beers from Belgium. Wide selection of wines. Save room for the fascinating desserts. Don't be surprised if the general manager is the one who takes your empty plates; they are that involved. Exquisite food plus excellent service equals one of the best dining experiences in the city.
Elegant restaurant known for its pasta and seafood dishes.
A restaurant with some unique menu items that draw rave reviews from many but claims of being overhyped from others. The menu is meat-centric with dishes from varying parts of the animal — think pork jowls with oats, bone marrow, beef cheeks, as well as more traditional cuts like rib eye and roast chicken breasts. The restaurant makes good use of its Gastown location with brick walls and wooden tables and follows current trends with a long table so you can get to know your fellow diners. Plates are meant to be shared and some reviewers feel they are small, particularly for the price. There is a wine bar downstairs and the cocktail menu has some creative and tasty mixes.
Creative and artsy sort of bar. Features some unique beers on tap and a selection of board games; order cheese from the bar and play some giant Jenga. Often features indie rock performances.
One part sports bar and one part club gives this bar a dual personality which works for some and not for others. The crowd is a more mixed and mellow than Shine or Fabric.
Smallish dance club with a variety of music, depending on the night.
Offers an array of microbrews with an emphasis on British Columbia breweries, as well as a diverse food menu.
Smallish pub with some character. Good spot for pre-activity drinks or if you want somewhere not as loud. Also has a small but well prepared selection of burgers, sandwiches and fish and chips that are an excellent value.
Bit of an Irish bar, bit of a dance club. Attracts a 20-something crowd most nights. Irish showband Killarney are a regular feature.
Frontier-looking unpretentious bar with well-worn wooden benches and tables. Popular with the younger crowd and the nearby backpackers hostel. Lots of rock music and no dance floor. Pitchers are amongst the cheapest in Vancouver.
Hostel accommodations in an old historical building in the middle of Gastown.
Very basic hotel that is a good option if you want something cheap and don't mind a small room in a bad part of town. The rooms are tidy and come with small TVs and private bathrooms. Wifi is available but signal strength varies. Room options range from Budget and Basic rooms with one double bed to Quad Rooms with two queen beds and views of the city. There is a pub on the ground floor that sometimes has live music.
The hotel-hostel is a heritage-listed building, built-in 1911 by Captain Henry Pybus and architect Samuel Birds. It was the first concrete building in Vancouver, and was built as accommodation for railway and ocean-going passengers from both Pacific and Atlantic locations. The nautical theme has been preserved.
A great place for shopping for groceries and some Asian products. Located primarily between Columbia St to the west, East Pender St to the north, Gore Ave to the east, and East Georgia St to the south.
This Japanese dollar store is the anchor of the International Village Shopping Centre. Has a surprisingly diverse (candy, kitchen supplies, stationary, electronics, etc.) selection of cute Japanese things. A fun browse.
Styled after Asian marketplaces these very popular nights have all kinds of stuff for sale. Watch out for the cheap imitation knock-offs that are commonly available.
Visit the specialty tea boutique, to purchase specialty teas such as oolong, green, white tea, black and pu-erh, as well as learn about the finer points of Gong Fu Cha and tea culture.
A shoe shop with interesting architecture that is built with glass panels between the two walls of an alleyway. Fine shoes.
Boutique selling high-fashion goods.
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