Fan Tan Alley

I'm a fan of Fan Tan Alley! Reminded me of the narrow pedestrian streets of the Schnoor in Bremen, Germany, although with a decidedly more Asian flair! It's easy to miss, if you're not paying attention as you walk by, but there is a helpful sign overhead pointing it out, so keep your head on a swivel as you walk town Pandora or Fisgard Avenue, and you'll find it. Past the narrow(er) entry points, you'll find a variety of shops selling everything from clothes to music, home goods, soaps and cosmetics, metaphysical mementos, a tea shop, and even the back door to the adjacent Fan Tan Cafe, if you're feelin the urge to wash some dishes! I love hidden little gems like this, particularly when they're found on accident while exploring a new city. If you're also entertained by urban exploration and discovering quirky, hidden, out of the way attractions such as this, don't dilly-dally; get to Fan Tan Alley!

Fan Tam Alley was a blast! The vibrant atmosphere buzzed with energy, featuring colorful decorations. The sense of community was strong and proud. Whether discovering unique vendors or enjoying a great meal Fan Tam Alley offered a memorable experience that left everyone smiling!

Definitely a tourist trap landmark, but it was fun to walk through and see the decor, small shops, and read some of the history. I don't think it's something that you would need to stop at every visit to Victoria, however, only takes a few minutes to walk through.

Point of Interest in Victoria BC What's so special about this landmark? What is the story behind this narrow alley. I had it bookmarked to visit but didn't think that it was in the middle of Canada's Chinatown. I just happen to look up at the street sign and saw Fan Tan Alley then I remembered. We proceeded to enter the small alley. I looked at the different stores, peeked inside to see if any of the merchandise would interest me. History: The alley was originally a gambling district with restaurants, shops, and opium dens. It is named after the Chinese gambling game Fan-Tan. As it is today it is considered a landmark with many shops. Located between Fisgard Avenue and Pandora Avenue. Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada and is a main piece to Canada's oldest Chinatown. We were lucky it wasn't crowded when we went. I can only imagine this 3-6-ft wide and 240-ft long alley full of people. It is much narrower than Ross Alley in San Francisco (think Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company). It was cool to see. The alley is very clean but none of the stores appealed to my interest. We experienced it for about 15 minutes (20 mins at the most). Review #3166

Cute very narrow alley with shops in the center. Chinese lateen decorated and probably cuter in the evening but it was quant to experience and nice to be able to cut thru the block and be shaded as well!

Small brick alley in Chinatown. Hot weather during this day to walk around but it was alright.

Really cool area. Love the shops. People were really kind. Safe area to walk. Bathrooms were clean.

TOURIST TRAP! This is one of the most overrated and overhyped tourist sites in the history of tourism. Yes, its a tiny alley with some independent and expensive shops...and that's the end of it. But its one of those things you've got to see for yourself since its mentioned everywhere in Victoria.

Literally a narrow alley that is name dropped as part of Victoria's Chinatown for tourism. Visited for the first time about 5 years ago and it was crowded and bustling, but now the alley atmosphere is just quiet and boring. The current businesses that occupy the alley just don't seem as appealing to warrant a visit anymore. It's one of those thing you have to do just because, but it's not worth more than 10 minutes of your attention.

Basically just a narrow alleyway with shops on either side but a very cool picture stop. I found myself being very intrigued by all the things being sold and just found the atmosphere to be very charming and inviting. It's just such a cool spot. Highly recommend taking the time to stop by, it won't take you long to see but then you can wander around the tiny Chinatown!

Absolutely a must see. The Asian museum is located in the ally. It's a beautiful place and some neat shops. Great place for photos. We took my mom here and she loved it!

Great food, big portions. Order different things & share. Also ate here 5+ years ago when visiting Victoria. Yum!!

Booked it here on foot (so easy to do) and so worth it! What a memorable and cute experience. It's quick, it's simple but it's fun! I mean who can say you've been to the narrowest alley in Canada? Not many people! If you're starting from the harbor area and look at The Empress hotel, go left and take Government Street until you hit China Town (you can't miss it w/ the welcoming arches) go left and you will see the sign for Fan Tan Alley. Enjoy!!

Very cool little alley that we almost missed in Chinatown. We walked inside and so charming shops and an ice cream parlor

I was very surprised on how lack luster this was. I was really expecting more. It was cute with the lanterns and how clean it was. I was expecting more than just one alley with small and over priced shops. These shops were high end types bougie Chinese stores of incense and other shops. It was "meh" and I expected more. I thought the shops would be more authentic or have cool nit-nacks. I'm glad to go and check it out but definitely should not be one of the place you have to visit when in Victoria.

Fan Tan Alley is the skinniest street in all of Canada and one of those cool local flavors you gotta see when you're in Victoria. Built back when the Chinese first came to Victoria in order to evade the law where gambling, opium dens and other shady business took place. It now has a lot of small stores like a barber, government office and Chinese food. This alley was also featured in the movie Bird On A Wire.

The alley was really cool and I liked how old everything was when it came to the architectural aspect. China town was really cute in Victoria and it's amazing that it's the oldest China town in all of Canada! The shops in Fan Tan Alley were not that impressive though, I would much have rather shopped more authentically in the alley instead of modern ice cream shops and holistic stores but other than that this area is pretty cool! It's definitely a must to come check it out.

Is Fan Tan Alley the most photographed place in Victoria? It's cool but there wasn't enough for me. I wanted more: a maze of alleys in which to get lost. This one short stretch is intimate with touristy shops. It all feels a bit sanitized.

"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!"

When in Victoria make sure and stop by here. This is a hidden gem within China town. The space is pretty cozy so it can get packed quickly on a busy day or night. They offer generous portions of flavorful dishes with several combos to chose from or a build your own style. I highly recommend the spicy chow mein and friend rice as well as honey garlic chicken. The staff are very friendly as well and will help with any recommendations needed. Don't forget to walk around this area and explore the extra slim alley way that connects most of the streets in this area.

Cool, funky little walkway mid-block between Pandora & Fisgard. Legally a street, but at the entrances only about 4 feet wide. Opens up in the middle, shops and more inside. Nicely decorated and kept clean. Nice piece of historic Victoria.

I actually felt like I was stepping into another world. It was early in the morning, so most places were closed. I think it is a pretty cool experience to walk down this narrow corridor (that normally you wouldn't) and see this little world emerge out in front of you.

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.

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.

Cute alley filled with an assortment of tiny shops. Most of the shops were closed while we were there but the atmosphere was still charming.

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.

I mean it is what it is: A narrow alley in the historic Chinatown. Victoria's Chinatown is Canada's oldest, and its most notable attractions are the large gateway and the narrow Fan Tan Alley, where sketchy stuff happened back in the days. However, although there were few people out and about, the majority of the shops were closed and the whole main road Pandora was somewhat deserted even though it was before 5 PM. That made my trip into this dark narrow alley a bit more creepy. I agree that the alley is like a thing from Harry Potter, but it reminds me of the Knockturn Alley, the sketchy alley that Harry accidentally floo-powdered into after mispronouncing Diagon Alley. No shop was open and the only notable about the alley was the closed bar called Hearts' Content. After reaching other side of the alley, it was an even more desolated road than Pandora. It is sad to see Chinatown to be this desolate especially in deep contrast to the bustling Inner Harbor. Unless you have time to spare, Fan Tan Alley is not something that you would regret missing.

While mindlessly wandering around Victoria, I tried to absorb as many unique and memorable experiences I could consume. Walking along the coast was gorgeous and breathtaking. Walking along the downtown area also proved to be enchanting but ordinary. I stumbled upon Chinatown easily identifiable by its large overhanging arch. Im unsure if I dont posses a keen meticulous eye but most Chinatown's arches look vaguely identical. I.e. Vancouver, Victoria, San Francisco etc. Anyways, I pursued into Canada's oldest Chinatown. As I investigated and explored, I came across a tiny sign pointing to a narrow alleyway. Fan Tan Alley. When I walked in I was mesmerized by the simplicity yet uniqueness of this little hidden gem. There's a bevy of unique antique type shops. It served as a different type of shopping experience. If for some interesting reason I end up in Victoria again, (absolutely beautiful city by the way) I would go back to this little secret wonder.

Fan Tan Alley is one of those places you dream of. It feels like it came directly out of a Harry Potter film. This place definitely isn't accessible but it an amazing hidden adventure in Victoria. This place has many cool shops, and is one of the coolest areas in all of Victoria's China Town. There's a really cool eco friendly store inside, and all sorts of cool shops. Photographers, and film artists this is probably a dream come true. If your in Victoria definitely check it out!

Victoria has a great little Chinatown - but I clearly picked the wrong local restaurant on my last visit there. Although nestled in the heart of the district - and occupying a great little space - the food in this dirty little dive was simply awful. I don't know what other reviewers are talking about (what, with there five stars) - this was one of the most distasteful experiences in a long time. To begin with - if you order chicken - make sure you check that it is fully cooked. Our order had cold, raw chicken. We said something to the decidedly Caucasian staff and instead of an apology (of a free bride-appetizer), we were told to wait for a new order to be prepared. We waited. And waited. When it came back - it was thoroughly cooked - but just not that good. Couldn't get that taste of nasty raw bird out of my mouth, I guess. Give Victoria's Chinatown a chance. I know lots of folks have said that it has gone downhill in the last few years. But there are lots of good local eats in the area - just not the Fan Tan Nasty Alley. Eat Locally (but buyer beware).

In Chinatown, there is a sign that shows towards Fan Tan Alley. It is very narrow and cool to take pictures in. It is about a block long in total and has some stores. Most people were taking pictures but very few people were shopping. I definitely took a lot of pictures! Didn't spend more than 3 minutes in there!

Very small "Chinatown" in Victoria, BC. More than expected for the island, but a little disappointing to be honest. There are basically a few Chinese restaurants in the area and a couple of things to do. It's worth the visit if you're in the area, but nothing amazing.

Fan Tan Alley is a "must visit" when in Victoria. Absolutely cute and mysterious all in one. You can almost hear the ghosts of past occupants. Fabulous photo op with really cute stores

A friend took me to this place and he described it as "mysterious." I felt like I just stepped into one of the magical alleys that Harry Potter appeared in. It was amazing to walk down the long narrow alley and the colorful stores that you can shop in. What a beautiful Chinatown in Victoria. Super cool place and a definite must see in Victoria.

Interesting tiny alley. There's a handful of small businesses. Not much else to explore but it's an unique use of space.

You wouldn't know it was here if you didn't have someone walking in front of you suddenly turn down a dark little alley. It's a little unnerving going down a small passage, but this alley holds a few cute Asian shops and provides an interesting photo op.

We heard about fan tan alley through a city tour guide with clipper so we thought it might be worth to visit. We were disappointed to see that there is no preservation of anything Chinese in this so called narrowest alley in Canada. We like the small Chinatown in general, but the fan tan alley doesn't have anything authentic Chinese. There are venders selling yoga pants, vinyl records, and some alternative interesting stuffs.. It might be for some other tourists, but I am disappointed.

Not just for tourists! No trip to China Town is complete without a walk through not alley's, Fan Tan and Dragon. Cute shops and interesting items, it's a great place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Super cute! Really slim alley with lots of little stores including artsy ones, and studios. Great to take pics and to browse. Go to Venus Sophia (Fisgard Street) while you're there, and stop for an evening yoga class at Mokshana Yoga located in the alley, if you are a savvy traveller, or a local like me!