Vancouver, which is famous for its rich immigrant culture, is also the closest major city to Canada by flight from China. In addition to taking Banff from here, here is the best way to play in the city.
Vancouver is the gateway city to Western Canada and one of the most inbound cities when traveling to Canada. Most people travel here to take the route to Banff National Park, but Vancouver is also worth staying for 2-3 days or more. Here are 6 of the top local Vancouver attractions, covering local city parks, historic districts and modern college campuses.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a huge urban forest park located in the hinterland of downtown Vancouver. It has been preserved as much as possible with the original style of the forest, providing fresh oxygen and pleasant natural scenery for the city. Challenge the hike around the park along the constructed coastal trail, or rent a public bike to experience the cycling culture here.
There is also an aquarium in the park, which provides the best place for parent-child travel. The totem poles in the park are iconic sights in Vancouver and even Western Canada. In addition, cherry blossoms bloom here in spring, and maple leaves are full of maple leaves in autumn. If you want to experience the natural scenery that the country is proud of in the city center of Vancouver, you don’t even need to leave the city to experience it 360 degrees.
Price: Free entry to the park
Recommended travel time: Half day
Drop by: English Bay Beach
English Bay Beach is adjacent to the southwest entrance of Stanley Park, and it can be said that this is a pedestrian resort that runs through the coastal area of downtown Vancouver. The famous beach here is that it is about the most lively coastal area in downtown Vancouver. Every year, the “Polar Bear” Winter Swimming, Peaceful Anti-War Parade, Gay Parade, Fireworks Festival and other large-scale festivals in the Greater Vancouver area use this as the main venue. Even when there are no events taking place, English Bay Beach still attracts locals and tourists alike for its superb sunset views and beachy vibes.
Price: Free
gas town
Vancouver’s most historic neighborhood, Gastown, is located in downtown Vancouver, full of Victorian European style. As the birthplace of Vancouver’s urban culture, after more than 100 years of modern buildings, Gastown has changed from the city core to become a popular attraction for tourists to relive the historical past of this young city.
A handful of trendy boutiques, coffee shops and souvenir shops occupy the frontage of the main street in Gastown, where travelers from afar can pick up what they need and pass the time slowly. As the core of the area, the Gastown Steam Clock, located at the intersection of Water Street and Cambie Street, spews steam every 15 minutes, as if reminding people to remember which glorious era the city originated from.
Recommended travel time: 2 hours
Drop by: Canada Place
Along the bustling Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver, you reach the end of Canada Place on the seafront. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk from Gastown, because it was once famous as the venue of the Universal Exposition, and it is now the city of Vancouver. Another look at the central waterfront. Here you can see the huge building with the top of five white sails, where the experience event Fly over Canada is located.
Head north along the plaza to waterfront parks such as Harbour Green Park, which also offers a plethora of restaurant options. Located on the bay, the scenery here is quite charming, especially at sunset, when the sun shines on the bay and the mountains opposite, it will make people forget that they are in the middle of the city at this moment.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Although the location will appear to you as “West Vancouver,” this natural park is actually only one Lions Gate Bridge away from downtown Vancouver. A free shuttle bus will leave from Canada Place, and it will take you about 20 minutes to reach the main entrance of the park. This expensive park is not included in the “Free National Parks for Canada’s 150th Anniversary” directory, but the thrill of the signature suspension bridge is worth the price.
Although it has undergone modern safety inspections, the length of the suspension bridge spanning a canyon more than 70 meters high reaches more than 130 meters. When one foot steps on the bridge deck, you can feel its shaking. The trip across the suspension bridge can be risky, but the slightest shaking can make it hard to hold on to the handrail. However, the scenery around the central part of the suspension bridge is truly stunning, and it is worth stopping for a few seconds to appreciate it.
In addition to the suspension bridge, there are three artificial trails worth trying in the park, including the tree-top short suspension bridge line on the opposite side of the suspension bridge, the trail that looks around the canyon and can see owls up close, and the observation deck trail on the entrance side. There is also a “stamp office” in the park, and visitors who collect all the stamps can get a certificate printed with “I MADE IT” (I did it!).
Suggested travel time: 3 hours
Free shuttle bus stops: Canada Place, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Blue Horizon Hotel (on Robson Street), Westin Hotel.
From 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, every 15 minutes. The return bus will be at 5:00 pm at the latest (note: the closing time of the park is 8:00 pm), and the “red line” must be taken.
University of British Columbia
A comprehensive institution in the Vancouver area, the University of British Columbia, which has a history of more than 100 years, has a young and modern appearance. Most of the buildings are simple and full of design, which coincides with the vitality of the campus. The Chemistry Building and Library, as landmark buildings on campus, are also the location for the latest season of “Prison Break” and many American TV series. For young travelers, who are surrounded by busy college students, this is the best destination to inspire a certain feeling in their hearts. For those who have been away from school for a little longer, it is also a rare experience to relive the scholarly atmosphere of their student days.
As a famous school in North America, UBC has more than one exhibition halls, museums, and botanical gardens open to the public. The most famous anthropology museum and Japanese garden on campus are recommended to increase travel time appropriately, so that you can visit these museums and gardens attentively. The nudist beach on campus is only open in summer. It is curious because of the reputation of “naked” beaches. Do you dare to visit?
Suggested travel time: half day
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is like an emerald on the vantage point of Vancouver, attracting travelers to come here. It has a superior perspective overlooking the panoramic view of Vancouver, making the patchwork city scenery unobstructed. The first urban botanical garden in Canada is also located here. The botanical garden completed in 1949 is located in the southwest of the park. Today, there are more than 1,500 plants, whether it is the night cherry blossoms in spring or the snow scene in winter, providing the park with colorful scenery in different seasons.
In addition to the natural landscape, there are also rich humanities and arts to appreciate. Several striking life-size sculptures in the park are also a favorite of travelers.
Granville Island
The location of Granville Island is really not very good – it is a small island extending from the land, and it is located directly under the viaduct. This area that may develop into a fringe in other cities has a very different light in Vancouver: It has become the most lively carnival in the city, with high-quality seafood restaurants, attractive city markets and local art galleries full of art, and even the boats used for ferrying are so different.
Escape or party, people will have their own definition of Granville Island. Home to skilled chefs, the scent of freshly cooked seafood emanates from the open restaurant window. There are also galleries with good taste and studios with hanging photography works, and the owner standing behind the glass window has an irresistible artist atmosphere. Craftsmen also have a place here, and the most striking is the hand-made boat craftsmen. The semi-finished wooden boats fill half of the square. If you are just wandering around, it is recommended that you go to the market, where you can gather all the food you can imagine, and even the arrangement of fruits is particularly attractive. There are also good food and beverage stalls in the market. You can find a seat with a view of the sea and concentrate on tasting delicious food.
Suggested travel time: 2 hours
Epilogue
Vancouver is suitable for local travel for about 3 days, and the climate in all four seasons is mild and suitable for travel. The most well-known red leaf season starts from about October each year, and you can visit in time. In addition, the price of local accommodation is high. Generally, the displayed hotel price does not include the 13% local consumption tax. Please also pay attention to your budget.
