Vital part of city's heritage: Vancouver's Chinatown

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Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown has some impressive features.

From the wide variety of restaurants and businesses to a Chinese cultural center full of exhibits that also provides mandarin lessons, the area is a celebration of Canadian-Chinese history.

This is Canada's largest Chinatown and dates back to the late 18th century. It is estimated that 43 percent of metro area Vancouver residents have Asian roots. Although the area continues to face challenges. It's home to some unique attractions.

Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens became the first full-size Chinese garden outside China after it was completed in 1986.

Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens /CGTN Photo‍

Vincent Kwan is the executive director of the gardens. “This garden is the pride and jewel on a cultural level, partly because it symbolizes the accumulated depth of Chinese culture that was brought to Canada through Chinese migrations. So there is a lot of pride that comes with a cultural heritage asset that people can find attachment and associations with.”

The city is now pushing to have this Chinatown recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site, to serve as a reminder of the contributions of Chinese-Canadians.

For many years, Chinese-Canadians were restricted from owning or renting properties in other residential areas of the city.

Although the Chinese population has continued to rise in Vancouver, demographic changes saw the development of other Chinese-Canadian suburbs, highlighting Chinatown's importance.

But according to Jordan Eng of Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area, that trend is now changing. “In the last five years, we have seen a real growth in new businesses. Whereas five years ago there was a real problem with a lot of the older businesses. So we've been able to see a real turn where we've seen young people wanting to come back, who want to open businesses, who want to be in Chinatown.”

Vancouver's Chinatown welcomes visitors. /CGTN Photo

June Chow is a co-founder of Youth Collaborative for Chinatown. She is calling for more focus on the cultural significance of the area.

“There has been a real gap in recognizing and investing in cultural revitalization. And revitalizing and understating the history can help people better understand how this neighborhood was built and why it continues to be relevant within this city.”

Business and cultural leaders alike recognize that Vancouver's Chinatown faces significant challenges ahead.

This is a vital part of the city's heritage. And there is a determination to keep it that way.