In previous years Judge Dee’s Chinatown Haunted House took place in October in the lead up to Halloween at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Judge Dee’s Haunted House
In 2015 this scary non-child-friendly Vancouver Halloween attraction took place from October 21 to 31. If you like scary stuff and live theatre, then you wouldn’t have wanted to miss it.
Note: As of 2016 Judge Dee’s is no longer operating.
The Chinatown Haunted House
Presented by Seven Tyrants Theatre, the Chinatown Haunted House was one of Vancouver’s scarier and most unique Halloween attractions. Featuring over 20 actors and musicians, the venue was set up like a maze where participants became part of a bizarre, twisted and entertaining 12-14 minute series of mini theatrical performances.
Groups of up to 10 fright seekers entered the attraction every 2 minutes. Most came out alive, but few exited without being at least a little freaked-out and thoroughly entertained in the process.
Inspired by the gruesome stories of detective Judge Dee, China’s equivalent to Sherlock Holmes, Seven Tyrants Theatre put a unique twist on a freaky evening at Vancouver’s normally very peaceful classical Chinese garden. Visitors needed to be prepared for it to be dark and for there to be some kind of live tormented soul behind every corner.
Due to some of its adult content, language and the scariness of its design, the Chinatown Haunted House was not an attraction for children. For ideas on where to take children and people with nervous dispositions instead, check out Vancouver Children’s Halloween Activities.
Admission to Judge Dee’s
Admission to the Chinatown Haunted House was about $14 for adults and $12 for students, with tickets available at the garden’s box office and online. If you pre-purchased your tickets you still needed to queue for entry, but avoided the box office lineup and the risk of arriving to find the event sold out for the evening. Even on busy nights the lineups moved fairly quickly, with up to 300 guests going through each hour.
Being a 14-minute activity costing $14, the Chinatown Haunted House wasn’t inexpensive. The cost was about average though for a Lower Mainland Halloween attraction, it was impressive with all the actors, and it was well worth the visit. Judge Dee’s was an experience people remembered.
Other Related Information
For information on the venue when it’s not haunted, see Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
For other ideas on things to do and see this time of year, check out any of the following: