Chinatown, Toronto (must see)
Toronto's Chinatown, also referred to as Downtown Chinatown or West Chinatown, stands as one of the largest enclaves of Chinese culture in North America. Situated at the crossroads of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, this neighborhood emerged from a modest Chinese community in the 1950s-1960s, nestled within what was primarily a Jewish district at the time.
Initially, the area was predominantly inhabited by individuals from southern China and Hong Kong. However, following Hong Kong's transfer to the People's Republic of China in the late 1990s, there has been a significant influx of migrants from mainland China. In recent years, Chinatown has adapted to changing demographics and gentrification, largely influenced by the growing interest of urban professionals and young individuals working in the Financial District.
While several renowned restaurants and barbecue shops on Dundas Street West have closed as a result, the majority of grocery stores have endured. Notable Chinese malls like Dragon City and Chinatown Centre continue to thrive. Alongside these Chinese establishments, visitors will also discover a diverse array of shops and restaurants representing other East Asian cultures, including Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese.
Nevertheless, amidst these transformations, a few longstanding establishments have withstood the test of time since before the neighborhood acquired its Chinatown status. One such example is the El Mocambo live music venue, which opened its doors in the 1940s. Other enduring attractions include vibrant open-air markets and shops along Spadina Avenue, where one can find fresh fruits, vegetables, herbal medicine, and souvenirs.
Chinese New Year festivities, featuring live stage performances, martial arts demonstrations, and lion dances, constitute yet another local highlight that captivates both tourists and residents alike. The abundance of Chinese signage grants this enchanting neighborhood a captivating atmosphere, particularly during a leisurely stroll.
Furthermore, its appeal is heightened, especially late at night, by the wide range of affordable eateries offering diverse menus, spanning from dim sum to pho to modern fusion. For those seeking unique gifts to bring home, Chinatown offers a broad selection at more affordable prices compared to the city center and other locales.
Initially, the area was predominantly inhabited by individuals from southern China and Hong Kong. However, following Hong Kong's transfer to the People's Republic of China in the late 1990s, there has been a significant influx of migrants from mainland China. In recent years, Chinatown has adapted to changing demographics and gentrification, largely influenced by the growing interest of urban professionals and young individuals working in the Financial District.
While several renowned restaurants and barbecue shops on Dundas Street West have closed as a result, the majority of grocery stores have endured. Notable Chinese malls like Dragon City and Chinatown Centre continue to thrive. Alongside these Chinese establishments, visitors will also discover a diverse array of shops and restaurants representing other East Asian cultures, including Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese.
Nevertheless, amidst these transformations, a few longstanding establishments have withstood the test of time since before the neighborhood acquired its Chinatown status. One such example is the El Mocambo live music venue, which opened its doors in the 1940s. Other enduring attractions include vibrant open-air markets and shops along Spadina Avenue, where one can find fresh fruits, vegetables, herbal medicine, and souvenirs.
Chinese New Year festivities, featuring live stage performances, martial arts demonstrations, and lion dances, constitute yet another local highlight that captivates both tourists and residents alike. The abundance of Chinese signage grants this enchanting neighborhood a captivating atmosphere, particularly during a leisurely stroll.
Furthermore, its appeal is heightened, especially late at night, by the wide range of affordable eateries offering diverse menus, spanning from dim sum to pho to modern fusion. For those seeking unique gifts to bring home, Chinatown offers a broad selection at more affordable prices compared to the city center and other locales.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Toronto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Chinatown on Map
Sight Name: Chinatown
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Toronto, Canada
Create Your Own Walk in Toronto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Toronto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Toronto Islands Walking Tour
The Toronto Islands, otherwise simply known as “the Islands,” are a chain of islands in Lake Ontario, just off the coast of downtown Toronto. They include three major islands (namely: Centre Island, Algonquin or Sunfish Island, and Olympic Island) and several smaller ones. Collectively they are a great natural retreat set in a peaceful and joyful environment, which, apart from the panoramic... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cabbagetown Walking Tour
Once a small community of Irish immigrants east of downtown and one of the poorest neighborhoods in Toronto, Cabbagetown is also one of the city's oldest districts, established in 1840. In 2004, it was declared a historic district and presently claims to be "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America". Attesting to this claim are the picturesque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Distillery District Walking Tour
Toronto's Distillery District is a trendy neighborhood and an architectural treasure dating back to 1859. Once the largest distillery in the British Empire, today this former industrial complex is a National Historic Site of Canada and a unique pocket of Victorian-era architecture, featuring the continent's best-preserved collection of cobblestone pathways and historic buildings housing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Toronto's Waterfront Walking Tour
It is more than obvious that the locals of Toronto, as well as visitors, cherish and admire the alluring views of Lake Ontario on the shores of which the city is located. Toronto's waterfront is one of the most picturesque places for walking, but it is also a great destination for those in search of entertainment.
At the heart of this waterfront area stands Queen's Quay Terminal, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
At the heart of this waterfront area stands Queen's Quay Terminal, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Once an Anglo backwater, today's Toronto is the cultural and economic hub of English-speaking Canada. The city's architectural beauty is supplemented by its historical richness, with some of the buildings dating back as far as the late 18th century. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the most prominent structures making up the historic heritage of Toronto.
The Gooderham... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Gooderham... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Toronto Introduction Walking Tour
Sprawling on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario, Toronto, is a major metropolis renowned for its dynamic pace and high-rising skyline, incorporating both ultra-modern skyscrapers and historic architecture.
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Guide to Toronto: 15 Authentic Canadian Products to Bring Home
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The Epic Toronto Pub Crawl
There is no better way to see Toronto’s many different neighborhoods and get a literal taste of the Distillery District, the Esplanade, downtown, the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Plus you’ll learn a little about the bar and get its highlights at your fingertips so you’ll be in the...