Historical Chinatown Walking Tour

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Victoria, Canada

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Delve into the colorful past of Canada’s oldest Chinatown, in Victoria, British Columbia. This guided walking tour will lead you through the streets and storied allies of the historic neighborhood, as your historian/guide tells you the fascinating, sometimes tragic tales of the people who helped build the city and shape Canada as well as modern China.

Get an immersive tour of Victoria’s Chinatown based on historic research
Learn about the history as you discover all contemporary Chinatown offers
Mobile listening aids help you hear the guide clearly
Tour is approximately 90 minutes. Please dress for the weather

What's Included

Local guide

If visiting the Tam Kung Temple, an optional donation of $1/person is recommended
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1681 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 0A1, Canada
We meet in front of the Bright Pearl Statue (big metal ball) near the corner of Fisgard and Government Streets in the heart of Chinatown.

End point

3 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, BC V8W 3G9, Canada

Operating hours
.10:30 am

Itinerary

Victoria’s Chinatown National Historic Site

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Victoria Chinese Public School (Pass By)

Fan Tan Alley

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Not wheelchair accessible

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
No health restrictions
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 40 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Outstanding tour of Victoria’s Chinatown

Andrew_W, Apr 2026

The depth of historical knowledge and information was outstanding! Our guide was dynamic, interesting and his enthusiasm in telling us about the history of the region was infectious. We’ve done walking tours al over Europe and this was one of the best of the best! We’ll be signing up for their ghost tour next!

Our tour guide, John,...

Michelle_S, Aug 2025

Our tour guide, John, provided an excellent history of Chinatown. We could tell that he really knows his subject and enjoyed sharing his expertise.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thanks for coming along with us on our Chinatown Walking Tour. You are quite right that John, like our other historical guides, really knows the material and he does enjoy sharing his knowledge.

Expert Guide Service

Richard_P, Jul 2025

In addition to his ability to weave together world history and its impact on the development of Victoria’s China Town, Chris’ connection with the locals made this tour all the more special.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Agreed, our Chinatown tour is a wonderful way of getting a perspective on Chinese history in Canada and specifically in Victoria.

Wonderful guide, very informative

Marysia_W, Sep 2024

John was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. He knows the neighbourhood and people so well, and we learned so much about this very special place

Response from Host, Nov 2024

We're glad that you learned so much on the Chinatown Walking Tour that you took with John. He wrote a book about the Chinese experience in Victoria.

Well worth the time spent!

Judy_G, Aug 2023

Great tour.... Took my 11 year old grand daughter on the tour and we both loved it. We were fascinated by the tales about history and lives of the early Chinese settlers. It was a tough life for them, with open discrimination, racism, working and living conditions,. Our guide was excellent, the historical buildings interesting and the time flew by! Would definitely recommend this tour for locals and tourists alike!

Response from Host, Sep 2023

So glad that you and your granddaughter joined us for our Chinatown tour. Sounds like you learned a lot and could appreciate the times and the kind of life that the Chinese immigrants faced. Thanks for recommending the tour to both locals and tourists.

John Adams really knew...

tyiizuka, Aug 2023

John Adams really knew his stuff!...an excellent guide. We visited the Chinese Museum the day before, and he brought everything to life

Response from Host, Aug 2023

John has been studying the history of the Chinese and Chinatown for a while and has written a book detailing what he learned. He was a co-founder of the Chinese Museum. So glad that you were able to take his wonderful tour.

John Adam's was a great...

Lauren_W, May 2022

John Adam's was a great guide, knowledgeable and culturally appreciate. Highly recommend taking the time to do this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thanks for joining John on the Chinatown tour. We're so glad that you found his walk to be informative and culturally appreciative.

Absolutely THE BEST!

Diane H, Nov 2019

Great tour, which turned out to be private for my son and I only- very, very informative, funny, so patient in answering our many questions. Extra touches like meeting some of the shopkeepers added another layer of personal history that showed a lot of love and respect for not just the historic Chinatown, but the current residents, too.

Excellent Way To Learn

Deanna_B, May 2019

We enjoyed this tour, led by Chris, on a recent visit to Victoria. Chris is extremely knowledgeable about the history of Chinatown and clearly has a great relationship with current residents and business owners. We learned so much about the area that we would have overlooked had we not taken the tour. We'd highly recommend it!

John was a wonderful tour guide and...

Quin S, Jan 2018

John was a wonderful tour guide and this was well worth the money.

The guide, Chris, was outstanding...

Terry J, Aug 2017

The guide, Chris, was outstanding. Loved the little aids that he had for us as there was traffic noise. It made it so comfortable that you could hear everything. Chris really knows his stuff and brings it all to life. Great gem of a walking tour. Worth the 90 minutes!

Chinatown occupies a small part of...

Katejmn, Jul 2017

Chinatown occupies a small part of Victoria, but our history expert/tour guide kept us informed for 1 1/2 hours. I feel like he must be a college professor because he spoke so knowledgably and eloquently about Chinatown and how its residents have contributed to society over the years. He even bought us some Chinese pastry treats from a Chinese restaurant for us all to taste. I wish I could remember his name, but I know that he and his father run a local tour guide service and I suspect that it must contract out to Viator. I have taken quite a few Viator trips and this one rated at the top of my list.

I highly recommend this tour. Chris...

Drake R, Jun 2017

I highly recommend this tour. Chris from Discover the Past walking tours is an excellent guide.

Fantastic tour. Very educational and...

AlexanderJohn_W, Sep 2016

Fantastic tour. Very educational and interesting. Tour ran a little longer than expected. History, and culture were approached with sensitivity. Highly recommended.