While it may not be as large as some of the other Asian communities located in Toronto and of course Vancouver, Montreal does have their own Chinatown district. Located between downtown and Old Montreal, the community is centered around St. Laurent boulevard, which actually begins in Chinatown. At the corner of St. Laurent and Rene-Levesque, there is a large ornate Chinese gate, with the faces of many mythological creatures carved into it. There is a similar gate two blocks down St. Laurent where it intersects with Viger, and they symbolize the northern and southern limits of the neighborhood.
A pedestrian’s paradise
Running east to west through the heart of Chinatown is a pedestrian cobblestone street which is lined on either side with gift shops, restaurants, and traditional Asian boutiques. Technically an extension of rue De La Gauchetiere, this road is host to frequent mini-festivals and sidewalk sales from the many import and export companies that bring goods in from China, Japan and Korea. This area is an excellent place to go if you are looking for Asian art, or music and films from that part of the world, with titles that may not ever see North American release easily available.
At the corner of Clark street and De Le Gauchetiere you can also find a Buddhist park. Made of concrete, with small statues, reflecting benches and a simple Asian design motif, it sits diagonally across from several popular bubble tea shops. Bubble tea is a flavored drink that uses small balls of soy sitting at the bottom that impart a special taste to the beverage while being sucked up through oversized straws. These shops are often open late into the night, making them a popular hang-out spot.
Also open late are many of the fine restaurants in the neighborhood. One of the best, Maison VIP is open until 4 AM every single night, and this small eatery is packed at almost all hours of the day. The reason for all of these late hours is because the neighborhood is officially designated a tourist area by the city, negating the need for any special licensing.
Not just restaurants and shops
Chinatown is also home to a hospital and the largest Chinese language school in Montreal. The city has also recently opened a Chinese cultural and community center on Clark street, to reflect the growing influx of mainland Chinese immigrants.
Due to its proximity to both downtown and the touristy Old Port, there are several large hotels located within its borders, and it is a popular spot for housing the bus tours which come into the city. The Complexe Guy-Favreau, which is home to many federal government agencies, is also adjacent to the area.
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