Chinatown Storytelling Centre

Monday	11AM-4PM
Tuesday	11AM-4PM
Wednesday	11AM-4PM
Thursday	11AM-4PM
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

We visited this museum on New Year’s Eve hoping to learn more about Chinese history in Vancouver and we were not disappointed! Booking was easy for a timed reservation, and we got a great price for the family rate. While the website indicated that tours were available at 1:30pm, we learned that the tour guide was not available due to the holiday. BUT - the knowledgeable administrator, Edward, offered to fill in. He did a great job, describing the various exhibits, adding personal stories. and even helping my mom find a contact at the museum who might be able to help her learn more about a passion project. The museum itself is fairly compact, but there are many artifacts to look at and digital stories to listen to. Plus they are still collecting more to grow the content. Thank you to Carol Lee and other local supporters who have established this hub for Chinese Canadian history in Vancouver!

Whether you are a local or a tourist, if you don't know this history, you need NEED to take this tour to gain the basic information to fully appreciate Vancouver Chinatown. I've traveled to more than ten countries and usually end up booking local museums and culture tours but Vancouver has been needing this for a long time. This walk through history of Chinese Canadians in Canada and Vancouver is something other cities should consider. Notable figures from history and great gift shop attached! Thank you to Sue who was working the ticket counter and gift shop for her great introduction to the experience.

I am overjoyed to see this space in Chinatown. I always wished something like this existed in the Cultural Centre and now it's here at another section of Pender St! The stories told here built the foundation for the prosperity experienced by all the Chinese people who continue to live in Greater Vancouver and more broadly Canada as a whole. I would recommend it to locals and tourists alike. It's a cozy space (ie you won't get lost) but there's a lot packed into their displays and digital terminals. I did not get a chance to try the augmented reality portions but was extremely satisfied with my visit!

Staff are friendly and the exhibits can be experienced touchless in consideration of COVID-19. The centre was a bit smaller than I expected but nonetheless an educational experience that sincerely tells the stories of Chinese communities in Canada, from the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the state of present-day Chinatown in Vancouver. The space is good for families and there is an interactive photo booth. The souvenir shop has many cute products including plushies, stationary, t-shirts and books. Definitely worth checking out!

An absolute must visit. This gorgeous museum staffed by wonderful volunteers plays host to important Chinese stories that shaped Canadian history. The museum is beautifully appointed, with each corner of the space designed to reflect the stories being told, down to the last detail. A significant amount of work was put into making sure that many of these stories are never lost. The gift shop - Curio - stocks unique goods and is well worth the visit.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

A must-visit in Vancouver. Incredibly amazing experience. Amazing staff!! One of the best places to visit in Vancouver. It is refreshing to see a country that recognizes its sins, holds itself accountable, and makes healthy steps to fix historical wrongs. I learned so much about the experiences of Chinese in Canada. Highly recommend this place.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

As a Asian (but not Chinese), I found a lot of the presentations inspiring. I appreciate the "story telling" aspect instead of the usual museum style. The vibe is subdued with pops of colour. The gift shop warrants a visit on its own. Top quality gifts and local artworks. Run by volunteers, this place is a gem in the middle of Chinatown.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

just went there last saturday as they were doing a special exhibit on chinatown scouting. They spent a lot of time displaying pictures and display boxes showing artifacts from the past few decades. They also are selling different chili oils as condiments. Lots of visitors involved in the tasting. Recommended museum for anyone interested in one of the oldest chinatowns in north america.

Represent!!! Finally there is a voice for the history of early Chinese Canadians. Vancouver’s Chinatown Storytelling Centre does a great job preserving a history that might be overlooked by Canadians and new Chinese immigrants alike. It is a great way to preserving a history of those who laboured to connect Canada coast to coast and beyond.

It’s a hidden gem in the heart of Chinatown. As a Chinese, I appreciated seeing the relics of the past, learning about the stories of struggle, discrimination, and perseverance of the Chinese community in Vancouver. The photo booth and dinner simulation were interesting. The museum is small but well maintained.

This is probably the best place in Chinatown to experience and understand the history of Chinese in Vancouver. Full of amazing displays and interactive exhibits that detail the hardships and struggles that Chinese immigrants faced. A very sobering and poignant history of our past that we should not be proud of.

Great museum for understanding what Chinese Canadians & Vancouverites went through. We have come a long ways and it was just 1949 before we could have the same voting rights. Lots to learn and to confirm the local Chinese history we know.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

1 floor museum, interactive with videos. Very friendly staff. Small museum that the other one in chinatown. Very nice inside, felt more like the Coles notes version. Was still an interesting visit
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Amazingly well thought out little museum. Covers the history of the Chinese experience thoughtfully and thoroughly. The volunteers who stopped to add to the experience and to teach us about the history were lovely and very helpful. A definite must see if you are in Vancouver.

This was such a moving experience. Really a wonderful presentation of immigrant stories, humanizing and contextualizing the broader concepts at hand. So worth a visit. Thank you all for the important work you're doing here.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Extremely informative and the perfect size to fill an afternoon with. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, Emma (volunteer) specially made our trip entirely worth it by herself!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This is a really fascinating museum with delightful staff member who are happy to add actual storytelling to the experience of the literature, interactive displays, and films embedded in the rooms. It’s a must visit in Chinatown in Vancouver!
Wait time
No wait

Wonderful little museum sharing the history of Chinatown. Entry is reasonably priced and there are many friendly volunteers who are very happy to share their knowledge and stories. There is even a Photo Booth where you can make your own epostcard of your visit

I have been here a couple times already this year as a high school teacher. If you are looking for an engaging look (and listen) of the history of Vancouver's Chinese community centered in China town, this is the place to go. There are many

Telling stories is really how one learns about one's past and this Centre captures an important part of Vancouver's history so we can appreciate whose shouders we stand on today. You need to visit this place as well as experiencing all the

I really enjoyed my visit to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre! The exhibits are well done, and it did a great job telling the story of Chinese people in Vancouver, and Canada as a whole. This is a good educational visit for all ages, and

Great museum! Definitely needed to expand my knowledge of Chinese immigration and there is so much to learn here. The volunteer working today (Emma) was amazing. Super friendly and welcoming, very knowledgeable and eager to show all the

Only been for special events - not many exhibits but enough to be worth your time - videos, articles, displays available - standing to view
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Super informative and done in a really good way. Interesting to read the stories w/o being drowned in information. Would certainly recommend.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
No

Had a lovely visit here! Everything was very well thought out and executed. The stories were easy to follow along with as you walked through the exhibit, and were provided in both English and Chinese.

Friendly staff and powerful relics of the past make this a worthwhile place to visit. The stories told here are enlightening and help cast light on the untold lives of those who helped build America.

Very beautiful presentation, love the storytelling style instead of normal museum, the short films are well-made.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Very informative displays about the history of chinese in Canada. Many short videos and a few AR enhancements.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

We had such a great time here. Very educational and fun experience. Truely wish Chinatown Storytelling Center all the best and keep showing and telling the history to more and more people!

The people there are sooooo nice. We went into the gift shop and had a lovely conversation with a worker there telling each other about where we're from and the history of the centre.

We visited on Chinese new year. The museum was pleasant. Set up was clean and easy to follow. It is very small but stories were focused and informative. We enjoyed it.

Educational and interactive. We had a great guide also which made the experience even better. I learned a lot! Great priced tickets. Lovely gift shop More