Shopping on Fisgard

Today it is Canada’s oldest Chinatown, and North America’s second in age only to San Francisco.  For a long time, Victoria was home to the largest Chinese population in the country.  Today its Chinese population is relatively small compared to other cities.

Fresh fruit and veggies galore!

We zoom through ‘The Gate of Harmonious Interest’ every day, and normally stop to buy some oranges from one of the many friendly shopkeepers.  There’s lots of fresh fruit and and vegetables at terrific prices right in our neighbourhood.  Chinatown is only 200 metres from our home this month.  How handy is that?

Welcome to Fan Tan Alley

Everyone in this city knows about Fan Tan Alley.  Its name comes from a popular gambling game played during the 1800’s.  Once containing rows of opium dens and gambling houses, this alley is now an eclectic street full of unique shops.   It is the narrowest street in Canada and is only 0.9 metres wide at its narrowest point.

The Gate of Harmonius Interest

During the evening, the twinkling neon signs add a smidge of excitement to the area.

Chinese Public School - 1909

There are several landmarks worth discovering if you zoom through this city one day.