Fan Tan Alley
Category: Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
ChinatownVictoria, BC V8W 1R4
4 reviews for Fan Tan Alley
4 reviews in English
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Review from Larry L.
3/14/2011 7 photos
All I can say is that if you wanted to get a glimpse of what Chinatown in Victoria was like, Where all the seedy things happened, it was in Fan Tan Alley.
I was amazed and my imagination simply ran wild just walking down this narrow laneway.
A hidden gem and a must see in Victoria. -
Review from Eric B.
5/21/2012
Victoria's Chinatown was established in 1858, when the first Chinese arrived as gold seekers and railroad workers. It's a pretty compact 6-block district and remains a fascinating peek into a well-hidden and fascinating heritage.
Part of the Victoria Chinatown presence is Fan Tan Alley. Some say it's the Canada's narrowest street and is no more than 4 feet wide at either end. It's become a bit commercial, but Gayle and I could still see the maze of doorways (some of which have their old Chinese signage) that allegedly lead to small courtyards and onward to even more hidden doors. During the late 1880s, this was the main entrance to "Little Canton", where opium dens, gambling parlors, and brothels flourished among the many single room occupancy (SRO) living spaces.
I was intrigued and lingered as I moved back and forth through Fan Tan Alley (between Fisgard and Pandora). Gayle patiently waited outside on the street, as all that unreinforced masonry at close quarters really creeped her out. -
Review from Ed U.
8/13/2010 5 photos
"Fan Tan Fanny was leaving her man,
Fan Tan Fanny kept waving her fan,
Said "Goodbye, Danny, you two-timing Dan,
Some other man loves your little Fanny, 'Bye Bye!'..."
Gee, Nancy Kwan was sure pretty in "Flower Drum Song" - especially in her bikini top with the fans that flipped close when she did her bump and grind. But I digress. I'm not sure if Fan Tan Fanny lived in Fan Tan Alley between Pandora and Fisgard Streets, but she'd have to be awfully skinny since it is the narrowest street in Canada. Yes, the narrowest street in the Great White North. At the most challenging point for the likes of Kirstie Alley, it's 0.9 meters wide, so lay off the egg rolls if you don't want to graze a love handle against the bricks.
It should come as no surprise that it was lined with opium dens and gambling rooms in its heyday in the roaring '20's. Now it's a funky congregation of shops like the Turntable, a used-CD store, and the Victory Gate Militaria, an emporium of military memorabilia. You should take a peek through the labyrinthine passages of The Chinatown Trading Company where you can see artifacts like opium pipes and prayer bells. A trip to Victoria's surprisingly lively Chinatown would not be complete without a stroll through Fan Tan Alley. And as Fanny would sing...
"In the ice box, you'll find in a can
Some leftovers of Moo Goo Gai Pan.
Fan Tan Fanny has found a new guy.
His name is Manny, He's good for Fanny,
So goodbye Danny, Goodbye!
Bye bye! Bye bye! Bye bye!"Listed in: Vancouver, Victoria, Veni,…
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Review from Kimli W.
8/13/2010 1 photo
Fan Tan Alley is a hidden gem. Tucked away in the heart of Victoria's Chinatown, it's a tiny (5' wide) stretch of a walkway between Fisgard and Pandora Streets. It's jam-packed with local awesomeness; from what has to be the world's largest never-ending store full of random Chinese goods, to a tiny used records place with the best selection this side of .. well, a place twice the size, to a shop specializing in crazy British fashion and so much more.
Spend some time exploring the alley and get a glimpse of what life was like back in the day, courtesy of some displays in the aforementioned never-ending store of stuff.
Have I mentioned that I love Fan Tan Alley? It's likely one of my very favourite places in Victoria.
And now I'm homesick.
