Victoria Chinatown??

[trouble1964]

The last time we were there, we passed by Chinatown and it looked interesting. DH has never been to a Chinatown before.

 

Is it "safe" to strike out on your own there after dark? Or are there alot of panhandlers? DH is a little wary of non ship sponsored excursions.

 

Any great Chinese restaurants that shouldn't be missed?

[Keith1010]

Each time we visit Vancouver there seems to be more panhandlers then the prior trip and the same is true for Chinatown. I would just use caution there. If you have a long walk and it is late at night I would take a taxi.

 

Keith

[Putterdude]

I believe you are asking about Victoria's Chinatown, not Vancouver's. Victoria's is small but quite safe to walk to and in after dark. Yes, you may encounter a few pan-handlers but a polite "no" or an ignore will do the trick. Here are a couple of links that you may find useful:

 

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Canada/Province_of_British_Columbia/Victoria-903124/Things_To_Do-Victoria-Chinatown-BR-1.html

 

http://www.victoria.ca/assets/Community/Documents/walking-tour-forbidden-city.pdf

[scottbee]

The last time we were there, we passed by Chinatown and it looked interesting. DH has never been to a Chinatown before.

 

Is it "safe" to strike out on your own there after dark? Or are there alot of panhandlers? DH is a little wary of non ship sponsored excursions.

 

Any great Chinese restaurants that shouldn't be missed?

 

Victoria's Chinatown is fine after hours. For a truly authentic Victoria Chinatown visit, drop into Kyu Noodles (what was previously Foo Hongs) for some cheap Wonton, on the North side of the street just a couple of steps from the Gates of Harmonious Interest. It's not fancy, but plenty yummy.

 

There are fancier places, but going into a noodle house (or any place with BBQ ducks hanging in the window) is going to give you a more authentic experience.

[porsena]

However, the best dim sum in Victoria is not to be found in Chinatown. One of Victoria's secrets, it's at the Chinese restaurant in the basement of the Red Lion Inn, on the west side of Douglas Street towards its north end, and not within walking distance of downtown. The bus service there is good.

 

There are no ducks in the window. The restaurant has no window at all and you pretty well have to know it's there before you'll find it. But the food is 'authentic' and popular with people of Chinese extraction and the restaurant does a roaring trade at lunchtime.

[Putterdude]

However, the best dim sum in Victoria is not to be found in Chinatown. One of Victoria's secrets, it's at the Chinese restaurant in the basement of the Red Lion Inn, on the west side of Douglas Street towards its north end, and not within walking distance of downtown. The bus service there is good.

 

There are no ducks in the window. The restaurant has no window at all and you pretty well have to know it's there before you'll find it. But the food is 'authentic' and popular with people of Chinese extraction and the restaurant does a roaring trade at lunchtime.

 

Been there, I agree they have good food. Years ago there was a basement Chinese restaurant...can you think where that was...I was young and too inebriated to every find it again?;)

[porsena]

I wouldn't have been in Victoria back then :( I do remember the coloured door restaurants in Vancouver's Chinatown at about the same period. Red, green, orange, long gone.

[Langley Cruisers]

My family used to go to (shriek!) Don Mee's. It was the restaurant back in the day, with that aquarium at the top of the stairs. Food average, probably not authentic. I wish we had gone to the smaller more authentic mom 'n pop places. Oh well. :)

[OBX-Cruisers]

Anyone remember what the approx. cost of the shuttles or cabs to/from pier and downtown is??

 

Also how far of a walk is that for those who have done it....some info. says about 30-35 min

[scottbee]

Anyone remember what the approx. cost of the shuttles or cabs to/from pier and downtown is??

 

Also how far of a walk is that for those who have done it....some info. says about 30-35 min

 

To Downtown:

Shuttle is $10/ea return

Taxi is approx $10 ea way (but can hold 3-4 people)

City bus (right outside the port, don't even cross the street) is $2.50

 

the latter of course goes a lot more places than just downtown, plus if you're headed to somewhere like China Town, you can opt to just go a few more stops to Herald Street

[OBX-Cruisers]

Thank you for the information........isn't CC a great site where you can share information so readily.

Did you mean that the shuttle is $10 for a round trip when you said "return" or $10 each way as for cabs?

[Putterdude]

Thank you for the information........isn't CC a great site where you can share information so readily.

Did you mean that the shuttle is $10 for a round trip when you said "return" or $10 each way as for cabs?

 

The shuttle this year is $10 each person for a round trip. A taxi is $10 per taxi each way. So if there are two of you, a taxi and the shuttle are equal in cost....if there are more than two of you then you are further ahead taking a taxi.

[scottbee]

Thank you for the information........isn't CC a great site where you can share information so readily.

Did you mean that the shuttle is $10 for a round trip when you said "return" or $10 each way as for cabs?

 

Yes, $10 round trip for the shuttle (per person)

$10 each way in a taxi (per taxi)

 

Works out to the same thing with 2 people.

 

If you're going to Chinatown as the OP was, the shuttle will drop you about 10 blocks away, and a taxi would be $12-15 ea way. City bus is $2.50 ea way, and drops you one block away.

[OBX-Cruisers]

Thank you very much for the clarification on the shuttle...........their own site does not have this information

[Putterdude]

Thank you very much for the clarification on the shuttle...........their own site does not have this information

 

You are welcome. In light of your remarks I have had a further look at the site and I guess they should have added the words "round trip" after the "Adult fare" to make it clear.

 

http://victoriacruise.ca/page/shuttle