Cultural Heritage and Exploration

Explore Chinatown’s rich cultural heritage with the Chinese Canadian Museum, a new mini video series exploring the histories of the Chinatown clan society buildings with the Chinatown Heritage Society Buildings Association, and the area’s multicultural heritage with Cross Cultural Walking Tours.

Cross Cultural Walking Tours: Exploring Vancouver’s Heritage on Foot

Free Walking Tours September 23-26
Tours on September 23, 24, and 26 start from the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Gardens – 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver 
Tour on September 25 starts from the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival – Concord Pacific Place, 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver

Tours presented in English. Please note this is an outdoor activity that will require a waiver, and that participants be able to navigate a variety of terrain including heritage buildings that may have steep steps.

Book a tour now at ccwtdragonboat.eventbrite.ca!

The Cross Cultural Walking Tours (CCWT) celebrate the rich layered history of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Downtown Eastside, Powell Street, Jewish Strathcona and Hogan’s Alley. The 2 hour guided tours build awareness of the contributions of Indigenous and early immigrants, and bridge communities and cultures around the city. Click below for each day’s programming, details, and sign up link.

September 23

September 23, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Reserve a spot now at ccwtdragonboat.eventbrite.ca!
Download and print off a waiver to bring with you: visit concorddragonboatfestival.ca/downloads and select either Adult or Junior (18 or under) waiver. Limited waivers available on-site.

September 24

September 24, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Reserve a spot now at ccwtdragonboat.eventbrite.ca!
Download and print off a waiver to bring with you: visitconcorddragonboatfestival.ca/downloads and select either Adult or Junior (18 or under) waiver. Limited waivers available on-site.

September 25

September 25, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Reserve a spot now at ccwtdragonboat.eventbrite.ca!
Download and print off a waiver to bring with you: visitconcorddragonboatfestival.ca/downloads and select either Adult or Junior (18 or under) waiver. Limited waivers available on-site.

September 26

September 26, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Reserve a spot now at ccwtdragonboat.eventbrite.ca!
Download and print off a waiver to bring with you: visitconcorddragonboatfestival.ca/downloads and select either Adult or Junior (18 or under) waiver. Limited waivers available on-site.

A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia

Open September 18-19, and 24-26, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
At the Hon Hsing Building in Chinatown – 27 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Presented by the Chinese Canadian Museum
Dragon Boat Festival exhibit extension by the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival on until September 26

Exhibition presented in English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese with transcripts for hearing impaired individuals
Ticket reservations recommended: Click here to reserve your tickets for free!

Welcome to A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia, the inaugural project of the Chinese Canadian Museum. This temporary exhibition explores historical and contemporary stories of Chinese Canadians in BC and their struggles for belonging. It looks to food and restaurant culture as an entry point and features stories that reveal the great diversity of immigrant experience and of the communities immigrants develop.

To mark the Dragon Boat Festival’s return, select items from the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival’s archives have been put out on loan for temporary display. View a new mini-video series exploring the history of Chinatown’s clan society buildings in-person starting September 24.

General Exhibit Information

A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia is produced in collaboration with the Museum of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia, supported by the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver.

Located at the Hon Hsing Building in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the building itself is a historic icon built in 1910.

The exhibition features interactive story panels, videos, and audio to provide snapshots from the lives of Chinese Canadians. The innovative and unique quality of this living exhibit is that it continues to grow with every visitor.  You will also have opportunities to record and add your personal stories to the collection.

Dragon Boat Festival Special Programming

To mark the Dragon Boat Festival’s return, select items from the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival’s archives have been put out on loan for temporary display including:

  • 1996 Club Crew World Championships newspaper articles and medals
  • 1994 Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Junior Championship Trophy
  • Paddles and equipment from across the years
  • Select videos from the Paddles Up! The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Exhibit Paddler Documentary Series
  • Vintage posters from the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival and Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
  • Assorted medals and souvenirs from over 30 years of dragon boat history in BC

In collaboration with the Chinatown Heritage Society Buildings Association, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival will be also premiering a new short video series at the Chinese Canadian Museum. Learn more about the history and heritage of Chinatown’s historic clan society buildings. Videos on view starting September 24.

Keys to Living Heritage: Chinatown’s Society-Owned Buildings

In-person viewing at the Chinese Canadian Museum Sep 24-26 (Hon Hsing Building – 27 East Pender Street, Vancouver)
Virtual Program September 26, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (sign up at cshbadragonboat.eventbrite.com)

In collaboration between the Chinatown Heritage Society Buildings Association and the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society

Videos presented with English and Traditional Chinese subtitles.

“Keys to Living Heritage” is a project of the Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA) that produces visual media to showcase the intangible cultural heritage activities and spaces inside Society-owned heritage buildings in Chinatown’s Historic District. This project raises awareness on the rehabilitation efforts of and challenges faced by the Societies.

September 24-26: In-Person Viewing at the Chinese Canadian Museum

September 24-26 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
At the Chinese Canadian Museum, 27 East Pender Street

  • Pre-book free tickets to visit the Museum and view the videos at chinesecanadianmuseum.ca! Walk up admission dependent on capacity.
  • Select videos from the series will be put on public viewing to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival

September 26: Virtual Presentation

September 26, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sign up online at cshbadragonboat.eventbrite.com!

  • Enjoy the online premiere of the first set of films on Monday, September 20th at 7:00 PM.
  • You will have an opportunity to join a Q&A with film directors and project co-leads Larry Chin and Sarah Ling, as well as CSHBA Secretary Dana Mah.
  • Event is FREE to participate in. Pleases register at a link to come soon.

Panellist Bios

Larry Chin: “Keys to Living Heritage” Project Co-Lead and Film Series Co-Director

  • Larry is an active volunteer for cultural organizations and initiatives in Vancouver’s Chinatown. He is an avid photographer in the neighborhood and enjoys capturing landscape, architecture, and candid photography. He is a member of the Hakka (Tsung Tsin) Association and co-founder of Chinatown Wonders. Born in Malaysia, he immigrated with his family to Fort McMurray, northern Alberta.

Sarah Ling: “Keys to Living Heritage” Project Co-Lead and Film Series Co-Director

  • Sarah has a diverse background in public history, cultural heritage, community building, and visual storytelling. Born and raised in Prince Rupert, BC on unceded Tsimshian territory, Sarah received her Master of Arts where she conducted community-based research on the intercultural history of Chinese market gardening on the Musqueam reserve. She is the co-editor of the book Journeys of Hope (2018) and lead producer of the award-winning documentary film All Our Father’s Relations (2016).

Dana Mah: Chintown Society Heritage Buildings Association, English Secretary

  • Originally from Calgary, Dana Mah has been actively involved with Vancouver Chinatown beginning with the Mah Benevolent Society of Vancouver in 2003, The Mah Society of Canada in 2005, The Vancouver Guangzhou Friendship Society and The BC Guangdong Business Council in 2005/2006, and the Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA) starting in 2006. He is presently the English Secretary of CSHBA.

Project Information

Since its inception in 2008, the Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA) was formed with the goal of collectively working together to rehabilitate 12 Society-owned heritage buildings in Chinatown. While they remain active social hubs and anchors for Chinese seniors and youth, the buildings are in an urgent state of disrepair and their legacies are in jeopardy.

This project will play an important role in creating connections and fostering understanding with communities beyond Chinatown, particularly at this time when more critical conversations about race and revitalization are needed. This project provides an innovative opportunity to strengthen connections between members of the respective Chinese Societies and amplify efforts to conserve heritage amidst the pandemic.

© 2024 Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society