The hilly terrain, back drop of mountains and convoluted bay with its many bridges offer stunning views making it one of the worlds most picturesque cities. A peninsula jutting out into English bay, downtown Vancouver offers a busy patchwork of attractions. the once-shabby Gastown underwent a bit of renovating in the 1970s to become a bright and shiny neo-Victorian business district. Nineteenth-century office buildings now house restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries; old lamps line the brick streets and vendors and buskers add to the holiday feel of the area. Stanley Park, at the end of the peninsula has a prime location with outstanding views of downtown Vancouver, the North Shore and the mountains on Vancouver Island. Brockton Point has a fine collection of totem poles - a BC icon. Also within the park is the Vancouver Aquarium. Chinatown is supported by Vancouvers sizeable Chinese community, certainly a lively and popular area downtown with its commendable Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the only full-scale Chinese garden found outside China. The garden incorporates numerous examples of the Taoist principles of yin and yang. There is a fine beach at Vanier Park however, if you're caugth by the city's frequent rain, head to the worthwhile Vancouver Museum specializes in the history of Vancouver and southwestern BC. In the same complex is a planetarium with regularly changing, entertaining and educational shows. A five-minute walk away, the Vancouver Maritime.

Back

Add to your Save For Later