Fan Tan Alley
Fan Tan Alley
4
About
This unique alley located in Chinatown between Fisgard & Johnson streets. There are numerous shops & stores located along this narrow alley.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Stewarts Vacation
    1,543 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Trendy, historic alley
    Running between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue, this narrow alley is brimming with character and history. It's the narrowest street in Canada and a central piece of Canada's oldest Chinatown. It's worth reading up about the history before you visit, although there are informative display boards providing some details. Now it's a trendy spot with more than a dozen locally owned shops and boutiques.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 December 2023
  • tdsuperstar
    Toronto, Canada19,402 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Fan of Fan-Tan!
    You get to quickly go down this notable alleyway in Chinatown in Victoria. Fan Tan Alleyway is worthwhile if you’re in Chinatown, but not worth a special trip to see it, I’d say. Neat shops to check out, a quick pic stop. It was a quiet day when I was there, so not much was open. It’s a unique part of Victoria and Canada, so check it out if you’re in the vicinity!
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 April 2024
  • Traveller & Foodie
    Montreal, Canada4,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must visit when in Victoria
    I discovered a charming alley in Chinatown that is a must-visit when in Victoria. The alley is incredibly narrow, probably less than 6 feet wide. It is quaint and very characteristic of Asian culture. I highly recommend exploring this alley.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 1 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles447 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
165
Average
101
Poor
12
Terrible
3

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Caroline C
North Vancouver, Canada21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Friends
My favourite place to visit in Victoria. Interesting history, cute shops and a lovely place to wander for a few hours. I couldn’t wait to go back. I could spend a whole day in Chinatown.

Parking is a pain - we just groaned as we paid a small fortune in the nearby public lot. I’m sure park n ride on transit is a better option if you have more time.
Written 2 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike M
Kelowna, Canada33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
They are not kidding when they call it narrowest street in the world(?). Definitely wear a mask during covid as you cannot avoid brushing past other pedestrians. Barely wide enough for two people to pass but the little shops are worth checking this 'street' out.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debbie D
Leduc, Canada96 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Spent a little time browsing the fun little shops in Fan Tan Alley. Although it is interesting finding parking can be a bit of a chore and isn't cheap. We made the best of it and walked several other blocks as well to see everything that was nearby.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

michielsaskia
Hilversum, The Netherlands207 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
It is indeed a narrow street but that is all said. The beginning and end are just wide enough to run right past your oncoming car. The middle part has a few shops. The other streets of Chinatown are not very special either. Especially if you have been to other world cities in Chinatown. The downside is that there is little else to walk to, so in that case you can best include m in a walk.
Automatically translated
Written 12 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stewarts Vacation
1,543 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Running between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue, this narrow alley is brimming with character and history. It's the narrowest street in Canada and a central piece of Canada's oldest Chinatown. It's worth reading up about the history before you visit, although there are informative display boards providing some details. Now it's a trendy spot with more than a dozen locally owned shops and boutiques.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tdsuperstar
Toronto, Canada19,402 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Family
You get to quickly go down this notable alleyway in Chinatown in Victoria. Fan Tan Alleyway is worthwhile if you’re in Chinatown, but not worth a special trip to see it, I’d say. Neat shops to check out, a quick pic stop. It was a quiet day when I was there, so not much was open. It’s a unique part of Victoria and Canada, so check it out if you’re in the vicinity!
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
This trip I wanted to visit Chinatown. Its a very interesting area, with several Restaurants and shops. Lots of little walking alleys with surprises around every corner. Just a nice area to wander. They have a new Museum of the History of the area. Fascinating and FREE!!!!
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveller & Foodie
Montreal, Canada4,350 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Solo
I discovered a charming alley in Chinatown that is a must-visit when in Victoria. The alley is incredibly narrow, probably less than 6 feet wide. It is quaint and very characteristic of Asian culture. I highly recommend exploring this alley.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bkbak
Tempe, AZ1,406 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Don't just go this location because of Fan Tan Alley, but take in the full Chinatown experience. Eat at a Chinese restaurant while looking out at the Chinatown gate. Stroll through Fan Tan Alley which is steeped in history, walk up the street to view the Chinese school, and take in the smells along the way. If you just walk through the alley without the rest, you're missing the point.
Written 23 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Argent999
Vancouver, Canada47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
A very popular tourist destination but kinda underrated as a place to shop with its superb collection of unique, motley, and eclectic shops. Fan Tan Alley has an enigmatic ratio of cool stores per square foot that seem unparalleled from the Turntable to the Triple Spiral Metaphysical Store. You can even find the Holy Grail of umbrellas here in the Umbrellatorium & Canery. Such a narrow space full of amazing goodies and wonders.
Written 10 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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FAN TAN ALLEY (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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