EXPERIENCE
CHINATOWN

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Judy’s mission is to educate, enlighten, and entertain clients through the history and culture of Vancouver’s Chinatown.

My vision is to be Vancouver’s most informative and engaging Tour Company in Chinatown, enlightening clients about Chinatown’s segregated past from the rest of the city, including its dynamic and cutting-edge present and what might be in store for its future.

My primary goal is to make these Chinatown tours mutually beneficial to participants and the Chinatown community. I aim to raise money to restore Chinatown’s heritage buildings, meanwhile educate participants about its difficult past, and the now-revitalized neighbourhood.

I also want my participants to experience Chinatown’s various unique cultural and modern businesses, bringing attention to their value and importance of their products and function in the community.

ABOUT JUDY

Judy Lam Maxwell specializes in Chinatowns around the world and dumplings. She is a business owner-operator, historian, chef, volunteer, and activist. Judy is a third-generation European Canadian on her dad’s side and a first-generation Chinese Canadian on her mother’s side. She has deep roots in the foundation of the City of Vancouver.

Judy completed an M.A. in History from the University of British Columbia, and a Certificate through the Centre for the Study of Historical Consciousness at UBC’s Faculty of Education. She is currently a board member of numerous organizations in Vancouver’s Chinatown: The Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee, the Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association, and the Vancouver Chinatown Heritage Committee. She is also a Heritage Commissioner for the City of Vancouver and an Ambassador for the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. She is a past board member of the Organization of Chinese Americans and the British Columbia Historical Federation. Judy enjoys teaching, cooking, research and writing, and people.

Judy is a Proud Member of…

The Largest Chinatown in Canada

A National Historic Site and one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver, Chinatown offers culture, history, architecture, gastronomy, and more.

Explore the streetscape, visit century-old heritage buildings, meet Chinese elders who lived through the Exclusion Act, sample Chinese pastries, and learn how to properly steep tea.

Whether you're a History Buff, an Educator, a Student, doing Team-Building. Bachelorettes or Honeymooners, Foodies or Cocktail Enthusiasts, Locals or Tourists... this tour is for you!

In The Media
CTV News Vancouver
CityTV Breakfast Television
The Vancouver Sun
La Presse+
KCET
Eat North
c'est la vie a Maggi
Where Magazine. Local Guides. Worldwide.
National Post
Vancouver Is Awesome
The New York Times
The Seattle Times
Los Angeles Times
The Morning Dallas

Experience Chinatown

Tours, Dumplings, Team-Building & Socials

Choose from Judy's walking tour, food tour, dumpling lesson and learn about the history, culture, and gastronomy of Vancouver's Historical Chinatown.

Chinatown Walk,
Historical Talk
& Dim Sum

Team-Building,
Field Trips
& Pro-D Days

Masterclass
Dumplings

Dumpling HOp
& Cocktails

Special Events in Chinatown

Chinese Lunar
New Years Parade

Qing Ming Festival
(Grave Sweeping Day)

For more special events are offered by Historical Chinatown Tours, contact us.

  • "Judy made the visit to Chinatown alive"

    Judy made the visit to Chinatown alive as she talked about its structures, the people, their business, triumphs, pains and joys. A walk with Judy also fills a person with curiousity, as one continues to wonder about a bygone era full of vivid reminders through the sights, sounds and aromas of Chinatown. ~ Bev Wong, CFUW

  • "Judy is extremely knowledgeable and personable"

    Judy is extremely knowledgeable and personable: her tours are both informative and engaging! We definitely recommend her to anyone who has interest in knowing more about Chinese Canadian History or just want to get a tasted for what Chinatown is all about ~ Lam Family of Vancouver

  • "After taking the Historical Chinatown Tour in 2010, I immediately booked a field trip for my class"

    After taking the Historical Chinatown Tour in 2010, I immediately booked a field trip for my class so they might also learn about one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods steeped in rich culture and heritage. Judy’s passion for the people, and her knowledge of the history of the area, are clearly evident, and now I find that my students and I share a better understanding of Chinatown’s transition from the old world diasporas of immigrants to today’s newly evolving and diverse community." ~ Jean Q, Teacher at Renfrew Elementary School

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Chinatown Millenium Gate, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Photo Credit: Tallulah Photography