EXPERIENCE
CHINATOWN

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.

Experience Chinatown with Judy

Judy Lam Maxwell sitting at a cafe with her tour group and doing a historical talk during her guided Historical Chinatown Tours.

Judy Lam Maxwell wearing a white T-shirt that says 'LOVE CHINATOWN' with a red heart, sitting at a wooden table at one of her Masterclass Dumpling workshops, stirring a bowl of chopped vegetables and herbs which will be for the dumpling stuffing.

"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
"Our experience with Judy was amazing!"

“Our experience with Judy was amazing! Her knowledge of the history and area kept kids and adults entertained. Also learning how to make dumplings was so worth it! We can’t wait to make them at home. We had two families with kids from 12-14 and they all loved it. This tour is perfect for any age!” ~ Heather D.
" Judy provided so much more of the culture and background than we ever would have gotten on our own."

"We found Judy by accident and thought we would give it a try. Wow!! We were amazed at her knowledge and contacts. If you are thinking that you can just walk around on your own and learn the same... think again. Judy provided so much more of the culture and background than we ever would have gotten on our own. Highly recommend this experience!" ~ Jay H.
"Judy's passion clearly shines through."

"The absolute best way to see Chinatown! Judy's passion clearly shines through. The number of folks she knows and that said hello makes one feel that Mr. Rogers himself is leading you through his neighbourhood." ~ Michael D.
"We had such an amazing evening learning about Chinatown with Judy"

"We had such an amazing evening learning about Chinatown with Judy and left very very FULL of delicious dumplings! Definitely recommend!
(If you book this experience be sure to do it early in your trip so you can take advantage of all the great food recommendations Judy has to offer!) ~ Caitlin C.
"Il s'agit d'une expérience unique et personnalisée."

"Il s'agit d'une expérience unique et personnalisée. Nous avons eu un avant-goût de différentes entreprises locales et, sachant que nous étions végans. Judy a ajusté le cours en conséquences." (“This is a unique and personalized experience. We got a taste of different local businesses and knowing we were vegan. Judy adjusted the course accordingly.”)
~ Jessica F.
"Judy Lam gave us an excellent tour..."

"Judy Lam gave us an excellent tour of Chinatown and especially many of the heritage buildings, ending with a delicious dim sum meal in a restaurant that we'd never have discovered on our own. Thoroughly recommended" ~ Fiona S.
"We learned so much interesting history about the neighborhood and the buildings!"

"My school age daughters and I participated in Judy’s historic Chinatown tour. We learned so much interesting history about the neighborhood and the buildings! You truly can’t get this kind of experience without a guide like Judy who has invested in the relationships and research to make it possible. She helped us take some great pictures too." ~ Nancy C.
"Judy is knowledgeable, inspired, personable and good fun. It was great to get some inside Chinatown stories beyond the "guidebook" version"

"We had an absolutely fabulous and fun time with this tour and dumpling making evening for my husband's birthday. Judy is knowledgeable, inspired, personable and good fun. It was great to get some inside Chinatown stories beyond the "guidebook" version, and to make and eat delicious dumplings. I highly recommend Judy, and this tour/experience." ~ Caitlin F.
"Judy is 'THE' expert on dumplings and Chinatowns... As someone who loves to cook, I value all of the thought and consideration that went into creating this wonderful experience."

"Judy is THE expert on dumplings and Chinatowns. We were thinking about doing the tour plus dim sum, but we opted to start with the dumpling-making class (we will take her dim sum experience in a few days). Judy offers so many options for exploring Vancouver's Chinatown and for many culinary experiences.
Judy took us around Vancouver's historic neighborhood and everyone greeted us so warmly. Judy taught us about the common history of Chinatowns, as well as this particular community. She took us into long-time Chinese family owned and operated businesses (including an amazing tea shop where we were given samples). Judy then educated us on how to make Chinese dumplings. She told us about dumplings around the world.
My wife has Celiac, so Judy made gluten free dumpling wrappers from scratch. All of the ingredients were organic. Judy also offered us ten different sauces to try with our dumplings (some gluten-free, some organic). And she finished off the class with a light dessert of fortune cookies with custom-made fortunes.
This experience was the highlight of our visit to Vancouver.
As someone who loves to cook, I value all of the thought and consideration that went into creating this wonderful experience. I will definitely make dumplings for my family when we return to Hawaii." ~ Howard M.
"Judy is so informative and she is greeted by so many as we are on the tour."

"I had so much fun, I signed myself and my friend up for the Dumpling and Cocktail Hop. Again, Judy was very gracious and took us to places I would have missed. This is her city and can help you with questions of where else to eat and stay." ~ Catherine B.

Judy is a Proud Member of…

Red text in English and Chinese characters reading "Chinatown Storytelling Centre" on a black background.

The Largest Chinatown in Canada

Vancouver Chinatown Street scene with multistory buildings, storefronts, and pedestrian crosswalk signs on a sunny day.

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!

Learn About Chinatown