DCP Ghost stories: Victoria’s China Town is the oldest in Canada (established around 1858) and second in age only to San Fransisco’s in North America. The City of Victoria has published a self guided Mysterious Chinatown walking tour map that introduces the neighborhood as follows: Victoria’s Chinatown was once the largest in Canada. It was the main port of entry for all of British Columbia before Vancouver finally became bigger in the late 1890s. Chinese called Victoria Dai Fao, literally meaning “big port”. Chinatown was home for many Chinese who travelled seasonally to the Interior gold regions, coastal salmon canneries and logging camps. In the winter, they returned to Victoria to spend their hard earned money. The proprietors of Chinatown’s stores, tea houses, gambling dens, opium parlours, theatres and brothels always welcomed the men and their cash. Travelling Cantonese opera companies were one of the favourite winter attractions. Chinese New Year in January or February was a highlight, with firecrackers and a lion dance to help celebrate the 15-day festival. Hopefully, the men saved enough money to send some home to support their families in China. Once the weather improved the men left Dai Fao to return to their places of work. And the cycle started all over again. China town is home to tea venues such as Silk Road, The Bubble Tea Place, and Venus Sophia Tea Room and Vegetarian Eatery. While visiting these venues you very well may happen upon a ghost. The Bubble Tea Place is located next to Dragon Alley at 532 Fisgard Street. The current proprietors have occupied the space for nearly 20 years. The upper floor of the historic building had once been divided into a number of very small rooms. This building may have originally been used as a rooming house, opium or gambling den, or a sing-song-girl parlor (brothel). The spirits of prior inhabitants refuse to leave the building. It is believed that renovation or change upsets resident spirits. The proprietor of The Bubble Tea Place experienced this first hand when he began renovating the interior of the shop shortly after acquiring the space. He remembers his first encounter with a resident spirit clearly. He was standing on the main floor, the street level floor, clearing and renovating the space. He was the only person in the building yet he kept hearing heavy footsteps traveling back and forth along the upper loft level. This was the first of many similar encounters. The stairway to the loft level now bares a sign identifying the presence of ghosts beyond that point. Fan Tan Alley is said to be Canada’s narrowest street. Some locals believe you will be graced with good luck after traveling through the Alley. Others believe the Alley is home to a number of spirits. The spirit of 17 year old Ah Chung is thought to be one of the spirits that roams Fan Tan Alley. John Adams shares the story of Ah Chung is his book Ghosts & Ledgends of Bastion Square. teaandscandal/2013/10/30/steeped-in-mystery-chinatown/
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 06:29:02 +0000
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