Victoria’s Mandarin Trip

18 March 2016Matilda L, Alex ‘18; Photo by Seo Young R, Alex '17

On Saturday, February 27, a group of students who study Mandarin with Ms. Sun went to Victoria’s Chinatown to take a peek at Chinese culture on Vancouver Island. Surprised by the red color of the street signs and Chinese written on them, we hurriedly stepped down from the bus and gathered at Centennial Square. Waiting for the tour guide with a cup of coffee in our hands, we looked around and found some unique buildings. Then the tour guide arrived and she led us to the gates of old Chinatown. The oldest Chinatown in Canada, the place had many stories behind it. The first Chinatown bloomed due to opium factories and gold miners. We learned that there used to be 13 opium factories in the town, right by Johnson Street, and they were the landmark that divided the downtown and Chinatown in the old days when Chinese Canadians were racially segregated. We also found out that Dragon Alley used to be a homestay for Chinese gold miners. Since many miners were male and didn’t have family with them, many slept in one room together. Next up was the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre, a residence for seniors. Through the small windows, we watched Chinese elders playing MaZhang (traditional Chinese chess) and having a fun time, sharing old memories with their peers. We then walked through Fan Tan Alley, the 230-feet long narrow brick chasm, the smallest street in Victoria. It is now lined with many shops and apartments, but it used to be an entertainment centre, filled with gambling dens. Lastly, we went to the Tam Kung Buddhist temple. Walking up fifty-two stairs, we finally got to see the main site of the temple where many Chinese Canadians light incense and worship, hoping their wishes will reach through the glass dome at the ceiling. We got to know a lot of history behind Victoria’s Chinatown. Some of us also got to drink some traditional bubble tea and buy some gifts for friends and family. I really hope that everyone had fun! Thanks, Ms. Sun. Matilda L, Alex ‘18

Where Students Choose To Be