There are few cities in the world where you can ski, surf, immerse yourself in 5,000 years of history, and see killer whales all in the same day. Vancouver is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, both in terms of natural scenery and urban scenery. Great weather, lots of rain, green and bright nature, and beautiful and spectacular architecture are the things you can enjoy on your trip to Vancouver. Of course, all Canadian cities have beautiful and pristine nature and are spectacular, but Vancouver is a place you can fall in love with. We can even say that a trip to Vancouver means seeing a corner of the sights of the whole world, because Vancouver is a world-city where you can find the culture and local foods of most countries of the world. By continuing this article from the Alibaba tourism magazine, join us to learn more about the sights of Vancouver, Canada.
where is vancouver
The city of Vancouver is located in the province of British Columbia in the west of Canada. Thousands of tourists visit Vancouver every year. If you are one of these tourists and you plan to travel to Vancouver, you should first see what kind of vacation you like. If you are looking for an exciting vacation, you would like to spend your vacation on the beach, try water sports such as sailing and surfing. If you are looking for winter sports, head to the mountains and ski slopes, and of course, if you don’t like sports at all, there are still many attractions waiting for you in this unique city.
1. Stanley Park
Canada has one of the most beautiful natures in the world, so the first place you see in Vancouver must be in the heart of nature. Stanley Park is not just a park, the beach, aquarium, playgrounds, swimming pool, botanical garden, golf course, 17 tennis courts are among the other facilities you can find in this park. Another positive feature of this park is that it is only 20 minutes away from the city center, so you don’t have to go far from your hotel to immerse yourself in nature.
Of course, before you enter the park, first go to the top of the Capilano Suspension Bridge and watch the whole view from there. If you travel to Vancouver in the spring, the view of beautiful green gardens and spectacular rainbows above the cherry trees awaits you. If you go to Vancouver in the summer, the biggest pool in the city right next to the ocean is the best place to spend a beautiful afternoon with your family.
Stanley Park is about 400 hectares and about 8 million tourists visit it annually. In addition, entering this park is completely free. No wonder this park is known as the best urban park in the world.
2. Granville Island
Grenville Island is another must-see in Vancouver. Grenville Island is not really an island, it is a peninsula that used to be the location of the city’s factories many years ago, but now all the warehouses and production halls have been converted into markets and restaurants. This market is open every day and you can get vegetables and delicious food here. Greenville Island Public Market is one of Vancouver’s attractions, which is famous all over the world and known as the best outdoor market in North America. Go to the market early in the morning and walk among the delicious food, eat breakfast and watch the happy and lively people shopping.
In addition, the artistic atmosphere of this island is really spectacular, from the instant paintings that street artists draw there, to artistic photos, handicrafts and beautiful souvenirs. Therefore, after you have browsed the markets, sit by the water and watch the street artists and listen to the street music. If you go to Greenville Island with your children, don’t worry that your loved one is tired of walking and the food and art market is not interesting to him because one of the best and biggest toy stores in Vancouver is also on this island, this toy store also has an indoor playground.
3. Grouse Mountain
Whether you go to Vancouver in winter or summer, in the clear weather, Gross Mountain is the best place to watch the beautiful view of Vancouver from above. Especially at night, when the city is flooded with light, you can sit on the terrace of the cafe and drink coffee and enjoy the beauty and silence of the mountains.
It is not a problem if you are not a mountaineer because a cable car takes tourists to the top of the mountain every day. The best way is to take the cable car to the top of the mountain in the early evening, have dinner on the terrace of one of the mountain cafes and watch the city. Stay the night on top of the mountain and explore the mountain in the morning. Of course, winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are also on the way. The ski trails are not too difficult and even if you are not a professional, you can enjoy skiing on these trails. In summer, hiking trails show you a real picture of paradise.
4. Chinese Garden
The Chinese Garden is one of the most beautiful attractions in Vancouver that you must see. National Geographic magazine says that Dr. Yat Sen’s Chinese Garden is the first classical Chinese garden in all of Canada. You can visit this garden in all months of the year. This garden is located in the heart of the historical Chinese quarter. Of course, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park is also located next to this garden, but the two are not connected.
This garden is full of peace and beauty where you can spend a heavenly afternoon. Walk through the covered walkways and see the turquoise green pond with koi fish inside. Relax by the 150-year-old miniature trees and gaze at the Tai Ho stones imported from China.
The Chinese Garden was built in 1986 by 53 skilled builders from China. The construction of the garden was done exactly in the way of traditional Chinese gardens in the 14th century, in other words, no glue, hand tools or power tools were used to build this garden.
If you want to see the Chinese Garden, there are tours that will show you the whole garden for a small fee. Whenever you are tired from exploring the garden, eat and rest in one of the garden restaurants. Plus there are shops in the garden where you can get Vancouver Chinatown souvenirs. The good news is that if you go with your child to this garden, there are games for children in the Chinese garden.
5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver’s first tourist attraction, which opened in 1889. This spoon bridge is built at a height of 70 meters on a volcanic river and after crossing it, you will reach a forest park where you can walk.
While walking you may come across a series of totem poles which are the guardian spirits of the forest tribes and are built to protect the souls of the people living in the forest. If you are not afraid of heights, there is also a suspended glass platform where you can stand and watch the view of the valley below your feet.
A little further up the road, you will reach the salmon spawning grounds. In the autumn season, you can see fish swimming against the water direction to reach the top of the river and lay eggs. Ahead on the way of these fish, there is a dam that they have to cross. For this purpose, a special ladder has been built, which the fish climb step by step to reach the top of the dam. Watching the salmon climb the steps of the blue ladder is truly spectacular. So relax here for a few minutes and enjoy the view of the fish trying to reach their goal.
Another attraction of Capilano Forest Park is the adventure in the trees. Of course, you should know that this adventure is only for the brave and if you are afraid of heights, do not try it. In this adventure, you will cross seven suspension bridges 33 meters above the ground. These bridges are connected to the old trees of the forest and from above you can see the view of the forest and the sea. Interesting, isn’t it? All you have to do is not be afraid and have a sense of adventure.
6. VanDusen Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for a hidden gem in the heart of Vancouver, be sure to visit Van Dusan Botanical Garden. This 55-hectare garden is really a strange place because in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, you enter a place that is covered with colorful flowers and there is no sign of the heat and bustle of the city. About 7,500 species of plants are grown and kept in this garden, so any time of the year you go, it is likely to be the blooming time of several of these species. Go to this beautiful garden with your family and after exploring the garden, set up a picnic table or sit and eat in one of the cafes or restaurants in the garden.
Another magical attraction of this garden is the labyrinth, which was built in the style of the gardens of Queen Elizabeth I in England. 3,000 cypress trees were used to build this labyrinth, which gives you the mood of walking in the novel Alice in Wonderland. Labyrinths have been a source of curiosity and excitement for people since the beginning of history, and don’t doubt that walking through the plant walls of this labyrinth will be an interesting experience for you and your children. Visiting the botanical garden and the labyrinth inside it is free on all days of the year except Christmas Day.
7. Kitsilano Beach
Isn’t it time to hit the water? So go to Kitsilano Beach. This beach has really good energy and is happy and energetic. Lie on the beautiful beach and relax. If you want some excitement, go to the beach volleyball and skate courts and play with the local youth. Or swim in the ocean. If the ocean water is too cold for you, visit the salt water pool by the sea. The water in this pool is artificially heated. Imagine that you are swimming in a pool, the view behind you is a beautiful and forested mountain and the view in front of you is the endless ocean. Now imagine that it is the middle of winter and steam rises from the water. Pleasant, isn’t it?
If you are into yoga, you should know that in the summer months there is a place for outdoor yoga by the pool that you can use. There are also coaches who can help you if you don’t have enough skills. Yoga at sunset by the water has a very good atmosphere.
8. Yaletown
If you want to walk the streets of Vancouver at night, Yaletown is the best choice for you. Most of those who have seen Yaletown or work and live there, compare this neighborhood with the famous Soho neighborhood in New York. Both places have stylish boutiques, beautiful restaurants and big hotels. Plus, Yaletown’s nightlife is truly spectacular, and you won’t be disappointed at any of the nightclubs you choose. The best feature of this neighborhood is that whatever taste and financial ability you have, there are plenty of activities suitable for you in this neighborhood and you should not worry about the costs or the type of activities at all.
The Yaletown neighborhood even has a sidewalk where you can use free Wi-Fi, so if you want to video call your loved ones back home, walk to this sidewalk and talk to them for free and watch the boutiques and passers-by. Both fortune telling and watching!
From here on, you can divide your tour in the Yaletown neighborhood into two groups, the first group is those who want to spend a quiet day and catch up a bit. If you are in this category, you can go to one of the massage and beauty salons in the neighborhood and have more beautiful skin, hair and nails at the end of the day. The second group are looking for more excitement and want to release their inner energy a little. This group should take a short walk and go to one of the best and biggest concert halls in Vancouver. Concerts of the biggest and most famous singers around the world are held almost every week in this hall, and if you are lucky, you can watch your favorite singer live.
last word
The sights of Vancouver are truly endless. Whatever age and taste you go to this city, you will surely find many things to enjoy. And the good thing is that all these choices are offered to you along with heavenly nature and pleasant weather. Of course, you know what is the best thing to do while sightseeing in Vancouver? To put aside the taste and limitations that you have imposed on yourself and try everything. From walking on scary suspension bridges in the middle of the forest to swimming in the warm and salty water of Canada’s tallest pool. If you put aside fear and conservatism, you can be sure that it will make eternal memories for you and your family.
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