Toronto city tours offered by Global Alliance allow our clients to experience Canada’s largest metropolis in comfort from the seat of one of our luxurious vehicles with an experience chauffeur as a guide, with the further option to be dropped off to explore Toronto’s many attractions on their own. In today’s post, a few more of this bustling multicultural metropolis’ distinct former (and current) immigrant neighbourhoods and the culinary, retail, and cultural attractions therein will be detailed. Previous posts discussed such neighbourhoods in the west and east ends of the city, here are some more centrally located enclaves.

Chinatown

Although there are as many as six neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto Area that could be accurately labelled as Chinatown, the primary Chinese neighbourhood in the city core is concentrated around the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West. Chinese script is emblazoned on colourful signage along both of these major streets, advertising Chinese cuisine, food and retail markets, and a pair of indoor Asian-style malls: Dragon City and Chinatown Centre. Like many of the city’s ethnic communities, much of Toronto’s Chinese-Canadian population has shifted to the suburbs (including Mississauga, Markham, and East Chinatown on Gerrard Street East between Broadview and Carlaw Avenues). But downtown’s Chinatown remains a distinctive magnet for local Chinese-Canadians, tourists from out of town, and other Torontonians who appreciate the many appealing features of the rich and ancient culture of the world’s most populous nation.

Koreatown

Toronto’s historically Korean neighbourhood is located along Bloor Street West between Bathurst and Christie Streets. Many Korean-language signs line the street’s businesses, which include a series of Korean restaurants, bakeries, shops, groceries, and karaoke bars. Its historically Korean character will no doubt remain, but considerable Central and South American immigration to the area as well as gentrification proceeding from the adjacent Annex neighbourhood will continue to change the nature of K-town in the future.