Ok so Chinatown - Vancouver is old, dirty, grungy, smelly, bizzare, sad, poor & more!
Coming down here will have you asking yourself, 'why on earth am I here?'
I will write about the 'good' as we go along a little later - so please have an open mind & keep on reading.
Like most Chinatowns ie - San Fran & Manhattan - they do leave one feeling like - a lot is still to be desired!
Holding onto the past of a bygone era, can be a stretch in today's fast moving times!
Given Chinatowns symbolic historical significance - however, there's a difference between classic beautiful history vs old, neglected & just plain abandoned history!
Dilapidated buildings, dirty streets, rampant open drug use (you will see people using needles) & drug paraphernalia, homelessness, nasty rude disgusting piss smells along with other vileness coming from the alleys, many shops are closed - even pre Coronavirus, are examples of what one will experience here!
Do you really see yourself coming here to get your Ginseng, Ginger & other traditional Chinese medicines!??
Do not park your fancy car in this area at night - maybe even not during the day!
A common site curbside is broken window glass! Park at your own risk - ALERT be warned!!!
The two main malls - International Village Mall & Chinatown Plaza will leave you with a feeling of utter pity over this sadness!
The vagabond of characters hanging around the International Village, will cause you to clutch your wallet!!!
Check out this hard hitting reality check about Vancouvers downtown eastside by none other than - Snoop Dogg!
Side note - I have actually never seen him perform live.
Back in 2016 on one of his many trips up here to perform, he flew into YVR Airport & was sent to secondary screening & he cleared customs with no issues.
However, that night when he was driving to perform at Fortune Sound Club, he had the misfortune of turning onto one of Chinatowns notorious alleys on his way to the club, which lead to his rant - check out this clip!
https://www.straight.com/blogra/680536/snoop-dogg-takes-drive-down-downtown-eastside-alley-and-has-words-clean-needles-drug
How about the Chinatown merchants banding together & coming up with a plan to spruce up their neighbourhood!??
Involve younger community leaders & seek input from them but most of all - listen to them!!!!!
Add colour, brighter signage, play music on the streets, have guidance maps/indicators at every street corner - just do something anything to liven it up - please!
Heck bring back the Neon signs that once vibrated throughout Chinatown giving it life!
Sadly many merchants fled Chinatown years ago, with their businesses to Richmond, Burnaby & other parts of Metro Vancouver.
Doing nothing is really turning our Chinatown into a dinasour relic = heading fast towards extinction - very sad!
For the amount of locals & tourists that do come down to Chinatown for a visit, I seriously wonder how many more do not - as they're too spooked to visit!!!
Don't believe me - go & take a walk about here - then come back at me!
However, I do ask that you walk on Columbia St, Gore Ave, Hastings St, pause for 15 mins at Hastings & Main, & try the alleyway between Pender & Hastings running between Main & Columbia - I dare you to!!!
Yikes!
Chinatown feels like it's being run by an older generation that will die off without having passed on their talents, knowledge & skills to keep it running.
So all the above was the nasty grungy, grimy part about Chinatown.
Now for the good .....
There are several really good restaurants here however, many are still closed due to the Coronavirus hangover!
Some unfortunately will probably never reopen due to bankruptcy.
Check out my reviews for Kissa Tanto, Sai Woo, Juke (Southern styled fried chicken) & Kokomo (for healthy food).
Try New Town Bakery (get your pork steamed buns here - bakery was featured on Netflix - Always Be My Maybe) a very popular joint for locals & tourists.
Also of note - Bao Bei, Chinatown BBQ, Phnom Penh Restaurant & Floata Seafood Restaurant.
Many Chinese seniors make daily pilgrimages to Chinatown for food & social activities.
Cultural History Buffs will be amazed at the architectural structures that takes one back in time.
The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden at the Chinese Cultural Centre is quite impressive - if gardens is your thing.
It's super easy to walk around Chinatowns closely linked blocks.
Yes it is safe - but one must be aware of what goes on down here on these streets!
So be aware, be alert, be safe & lookout!!!
It's upsetting to witness this culturally rich historical area go by the wayside!
You might ask with good reason after reading this review - is it worth my time going to Chinatown?
I'd say sure if you have a plan & a purpose for being down there - go for it!
It's raw, it's rough, it's tough & it's all a part of the Downtown Eastside!
I hope for a better future for our dearly beloved Chinatown! read more