Categories: Travel

This historic alley in BC is Canada’s narrowest street

Ready to dive into a cool piece of Canadian history? Fan Tan Alley in Victoria, British Columbia is not only the gateway to Canada’s oldest Chinatown, but at three to six feet wide, it’s the narrowest street in the country.

At the time of the area’s development between 1885 and 1920, the alley was a hotspot for opium factories and gambling dens until the drug was outlawed in 1908.

Its storied past makes it an intriguing place to visit today, as it has been completely transformed into a lineup of local shops, galleries, and historic displays to peruse.

The alley has had its fair share of air time on the silver screen – including an iconic motorcycle chase scene in the 1990 film Bird on a Wire.

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Photo via Shutterstock

Running between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street), the alley measures 240 feet long, and is situated in one of the oldest surviving Chinatowns in North America, according to Victoria’s Chinatown.

Ready to check it out for yourself? It’s time to add Victoria to your road trip itinerary if you haven’t already!

Happy exploring!

Fan Tan Alley 

Where: Victoria, BC

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