A change of scenery guaranteed in Toronto's Chinatown

Since 1878, when San Ching, the first Chinese resident, was registered in Toronto, the neighbourhood has continued to evolve. As Canada has welcomed waves of immigrants, the cultures, customs, languages and cuisines of Chinatown have naturally changed and evolved.

A large number of Chinese-Canadians were called upon to help build the railways in British Columbia. After that, in the 1880s, they suffered persecution and discrimination and were forced to flee eastwards. Toronto is a welcoming place, so much so that today Toronto's Chinatown district is the largest in North America.

The first Chinatown: a community in need

When it was created, Chinatown was rooted in the Ward, a neighbourhood bounded by Yonge Street, University Avenue, College Street and Queen Street. It was a very poor area, close to the city's railway station, where immigrants could afford small rents.

In the 1950s, when the City of Toronto approved a project for a public square and city hall, a large part of Chinatown was razed and entire buildings demolished.

Today, the area is known as Old Chinatown, and not much remains, apart from a few restaurants and shops.

A second neighbourhood due to inflation: Chinatown west

A second Chinatown has sprung up in Toronto, in the west of the city. Along Dundas Street, property prices were lower and there was more room to accommodate the new arrivals, of whom there were many between 1960 and 1970.

The years that followed were unstable in some Asian countries.

Toronto welcomed waves of migrants from various Asian countries. Immigrants came mainly from Hong Kong, but also from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan and other Asian countries.

Little Saigon, a third Chinatown

A third Chinatown emerged in 1970, called Chinatown East. On the corner of Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street, a small Asian community gathered, once again due to rising rents in western Chinatown.

This neighbourhood is known as Little Saigon because of its predominantly Vietnamese population.

Today, Chinatown is a pleasant district, much visited by tourists, where everyone can stroll around in complete safety.

The area is teeming with Asian shops, grocery shops, laundries, cafés and restaurants. You can find all the cuisines of the continent here, as well as all the exotic ingredients you need.

Stroll past restaurants and colourful stalls

Toronto's Chinatown is a complete change of scenery. The colourful streets, the smells and the people have nothing in common with the rest of Canada.

Along the red and gold altars and decorations, you'll think you're in Asia for a moment.

Taste Asian food

Most of Chinatown's activities revolve around the food, which, it has to be said, is absolutely delicious.

Our advice? Take a stroll through the district on an empty stomach and indulge in the restaurants and cafés lining the streets.

If you want to visit Chinatown, taste delicious food and learn more about Asian culture and customs, we recommend a guided tour of Chinatown.

Guided tours of 3 hours are organised around the food of Chinatown. During this tour, you will visit the Chinatown district. You will discover 6 restaurants and their specialities and stroll through the lively streets of the district.