Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History

by Donna Seto

A colourful illustrated history of the buildings in Vancouver’s Chinatown, celebrating the richness, diversity, and vibrancy of the Chinese community.


Buildings are more than just bricks and mortar; they are keepers of secrets and history. With more than seventy vibrant illustrations, writeups on the buildings, interviews with community members, and select archival photographs, Chinatown Vancouver celebrates the invaluable contributions of the Chinese to Canada. The colourful illustrations portray Chinatown during its thriving days as a commercial hub when iconic businesses such as Cathay Importers, Ho Inn Restaurant, Ming Wo Cookware, and Ho Ho Restaurant were pillars in the community.


Early Chinese settlers in Vancouver demonstrated immense resilience and perseverance in creating a self-sustaining safety net to weather racial hostility, discrimination, and segregation from broader Canadian society. The protection of cultural sites like Chinatown helps us understand our connection to place, the past, and the future. In showcasing the unique architecture, Chinatown Vancouverhonours the neighbourhood as an irreplaceable living heritage site and cultural asset for all Canadians.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

292 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to ‘Together We Read 2025,’ the Libby App book club, I was able to download this book instantly.

Donna Seto’s recently published book is an illustrated history of Vancouver’s Chinatown. It’s well-laid out with a wonderful blend of past and present; colourful paintings by the author alongside black and white photos, some from the early 1900s. Seto has included a map of Chinatown and a timeline chronicling its history.

I loved reading about the:
✔️narrowest free-standing building in the world
✔️oldest standing brick building in Vancouver’s Chinatown
✔️origins of London Drugs
✔️black community here that hosted Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and where Jimi Hendrix’s grandma worked (Did you know Vancouver issued a stamp AND named a street, Nora Hendrix Way, commemorating this woman’s contribution to our city?
✔️secret door women used so they could hide out and play mahjong

My amazement over the ingenuity and tenacity of the original tenants of this vibrant community soon gave way to sadness as I read about the gentrification, urban renewal and displacement happening. It’s sad to read about the complicated history of this community next to our Downtown East Side. I congratulate Seto on a wonderful book which softened my heart and gave me a new lens with which to view immigrants…especially Chinese seniors.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute drawings but the information is very general

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely visual history.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

[Betty-Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative book with spectacular artwork. It brought back some memories: Green Door, Gai Mei Bao from New Town Bakery, Park Lok Restaurant for dum sum. Thank you to Donna Seto. ❤️

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating overview. A selective trip down memory lane

[Richard Lehingrat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing about Trudeau’s visit to the On On? ***