Chinatown Gate

The Gate of Harmonious Interest spans Fisgard Street marking the entrance to Victoria's Chinatown, the oldest in Canada. The gate stands almost 12m decorated with red and gold as it arches over the road with matching arches over each sidewalk. The symmetry of the three-arch shape makes a great frame over the bustling Chinatown behind it. Standing back on and shooting west along Fisgard lets the gate sits square with the street running away behind it. Fisgard St runs east to west here, so late in the day the light comes straight down the street at you. The hand carved stone lions at the base came from Suzhou, Victoria's twin city. The roof is filled with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenix figures sitting along the ridge. A plaque on the gate honors the names 61 Chinese Canadians who died serving in the Second World War. While you are in the area Fan Tan Alley is only a minute's walk away and definitely worth exploring. (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)