Dragon Alley 2

Dragon Alley has quite a different character from Fan Tan Alley though they both begin with very narrow entryways from Fisgard Street in Chinatown. While Fan Tan Alley exudes a foreign/Chinese atmosphere throughout its length, Dragon Alley is chic and modern - boxy pastel condos and boutiques dominate though there's lot of old brick as well.

Dragon Alley

Fan Tan Alley (yesterday's post) is only one of Chinatown's two exceedingly narrow passages. Across the street and down the block is another, Dragon Alley, that passes northward from Fisgard Street to Herald Street. We'll take a walk down Dragon Alley tomorrow.

Dragon Alley

While Victoria's Chinatown is small it has some interesting features. The above looks very austere and modern but it is deep in the interior of an old Chinatown block accessible only through Dragon Alley, the entrance to which was featured in an earlier post. There are some condo flats here, offices and shops such as High End Dog (marked by the dog at the door in the above photo).

Dragon Alley

Victoria's Chinatown has two narrow alleyways, Fan Tan Alley and Dragon Alley. Both have been restored. This is the Herald Street Entrance to Dragon Alley. A hundred years ago this alley led into an internal maze of small courtyards where brothels, opium factories, and gambling dens were located. Now there are some shops and condos but the atmosphere of an enclosed and foreign space is well preserved.