Vancouver, Canada - photo of Vancouver, attractions, map, reviews of tourists. High pay flow

The exceptional convenience of Vancouver's location is hard to overestimate. The city stretches along the shores of the huge English Bay on one side, and on the other side adjoins Burrard Bay, which George Vancouver explored on the sloop in 1792. The harbor and headland of Stanley Park separate the city center from residential areas to the west and north. To see all this, use two observation points.

Cross Burrard Bay on the Lions Gate Bridge (Lion's Gate) and head up Capilano Road to the Skyride, the funicular that takes you to the top of Grouse Mountain (Grouse Mountain). From here you have an excellent view of the city and harbor. The mountain's northwest slope, favored by skiers, faces Capilano Lake and Vancouver Island in the background. On the way back, turn aside to pass over a rickety suspension bridge, 70m above the stream churning at the bottom of Capilano Canyon (Capilano Canyon).

Back in the city center, head to the panoramic terrace at the top of the 50-story Harbor Center Observation Tower (Vancouver Lookout Harbor Centre, 555 West Hastings Street). From the panorama of the city against the backdrop of the mountains is breathtaking. On clear days, you can see Mount Baker in the US state of Washington with a telescope.

For tourist information about the province, contact the Vancouver Visitor Center (200 Burrard Street). There is also a tourist information center at Vancouver International Airport, and in general, there are more than a hundred of them in the province.

City center

Georgia Street and Robson Street are the two main arteries that run across the West End Peninsula to Stanley Park. Georgia Street runs through the park to the Lions Gate Bridge. To avoid traffic jams, park your car and walk around the city center. Start your downtown Vancouver tour at Robson Square, home to the Courthouse (Courthouse), one of the masterpieces of modern North American architecture, created by Arthur Erickson. This building, typical of the style of the Vancouver architect, has only seven floors, but it occupies a central place in the square, despite the skyscrapers towering above it. It does not have the marble columns and porticos that traditionally decorate courthouses. Instead, it is divided into tiers of glassed-in galleries, offices, courtrooms, shops, and restaurants. The water from the pool cascades spectacularly, surrounded by flowering rose bushes, orange trees, Japanese maples and a miniature pine forest. A complex system of stairs and ramps, popular with inline skaters, connects shopping centers and attracts many people who gather here during city holidays.

Robson Square is also home to the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Vancouver Art Gallery; open: daily 10.00-17.30, Tue and Thu until 21.00). It occupies an old courthouse, a neoclassical temple restored by Erickson. Among the works of Canadian artists presented in it are the works of Emily Carr (1871-1945) . Known to her Kwakiutl Indian friends as "Klee Wyck" ("The one who laughs"), this eccentric woman lived in Victoria, where she kept a boarding house and rolled her pet monkey in a baby carriage. Life among the Indians and work with the French Post-Impressionists shaped her unique art style: expressive landscapes and drawings of totems, painted in broad strokes, with swirls of bright colors. Pay attention to the pictures full of drama "Big Raven" (1931) and "Totem Forest" (1930) .

The stretch of Robson Street between Bute Street and Burrard Street is filled with Vietnamese, Japanese, Scandinavian, Italian and French restaurants.

East of Robson Square Grenville Mall pedestrian shopping area (Granville Mall) will take you to the Harbor Center and the waterfront. At the foot of Grenville Street, take a cheap SeaBus ferry cruise across Burrard Bay to North Vancouver (12 minutes each way). In addition to the panorama of the city and the harbor, you can look closely at architectural complex Canada Place (Canada Place), similar to entering the bay ocean liner; its white "sails" are reminiscent of the history of the port (founded in the 19th century). Originally the national pavilion at EXPO 86, the complex now houses a conference center and several modern hotels.

Chinatown on Pender Street is home to Canada's largest Chinese community, mostly descendants of immigrants who worked on the construction of the Canadian Pacific railway. Visit the fruit and vegetable market, fish stalls, spice and medicine shops, and boutiques selling silk and satin clothing, as well as bamboo and lacquerware from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. Delicious fried pork and poultry dishes are displayed in the windows of countless restaurants, always attracting tourists.

Center A (Centre A; 2 West Hastings Street; open: Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00) gives visitors the opportunity to get deeper into the culture of Asia: there is an exhibition of contemporary paintings, costumes and photographs from China, Japan, India, Korea and Indonesia.

Sun Yat Sen Garden (Dr Sun Yat-Sen Garden; open: daily May - mid-June and Sept. 10.00-18.00; mid-June - Aug. 9.30-19.00; Oct.-Apr. 10.00-16.30) on the corner of Carroll Street and Pender Street offers a rare opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet. The pavilion with a glazed tiled roof, wood carvings and lattice windows opens onto a courtyard with an exquisite rock garden and miniature landscape. A microcosm of nature, reflecting the Taoist concept of yin and yang, was created by artists who came from Suzhou, the great center of Chinese garden culture. The light is balanced by the shadow, and the rough blocks of limestone (yang), chosen for their bumpy and sinuous surface, are balanced by the smooth surface of ponds and the quiet murmur of streams (yin). Plants symbolize human dignity: pine, bamboo and winter cherry represent strength, grace and renewal of life.

After resting and refreshing, head to the harbor and marshalling yards of Gastown (Gastown) between Water Street and Hastings Street, a revitalized area of red brick houses and cobblestone streets, where Vancouver began. Now it is full of boutiques, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, not hiding its commercial essence, but without losing its original charm. Gestown owes its name to Gassi (To the braggart) Jack Dayton, owner of the best saloon and self-proclaimed mayor of the city. A former riverboat captain, he opened a bar near the sawmills where drinking was forbidden. Now there is a monument to Dayton in Maple Tree Square: he is depicted with a barrel of whiskey, thanks to which, according to legend, he was able to convince lumberjacks to build a city in 1867.

At the western end of Water Street, you will see the world's first monumental steam clock, which blows a loud whistle every 15 minutes.

If the Robson Square Courthouse sparked your interest in Arthur Erickson architecture, take a car or public transit to Mount Barnaby (“mountain” is too loud a name for it, because its height is only 400 m) and the campus of Simon Fraser University. The center of student activity is the large alley of the Academic Court - with a play of light and shadow among the stairs and terraces under a glass roof supported by steel trusses. On your way back to the city center, stop by BC Place, a huge concrete stadium with an oval dome where the BC Lions play their home matches.

stanley park

stanley park (Stanley Park), located on a peninsula jutting into English Bay, is one of the best in North America city parks. The 450 ha forest of Douglas fir, cedar and Canadian spruce was once a government sanctuary that supplied drill and mast timber for the Royal Navy. In 1899, the city leased it as a park and named it after the lieutenant governor of Canada, Lord Stanley, the same man whose name is the hockey Stanley Cup.

In the early morning of December 15, 2006, a storm hit the old park. Thousands of trees were uprooted; The wonderful 8.8 km long promenade on the embankment was also badly damaged. Even with $3.6 million in donations, the restoration work is still far from complete. While the damage will be visible for years to come, Stanley Park remains a "must see" place for city visitors to visit.

There are always a lot of walking, jogging, cycling in its alleys. (they can be rented from shops on nearby Danman Street). As you pass the perfectly manicured Brockton Oval, you can see a cricket game that reminds you that this is British Columbia. Near the cricket field is a magnificent group of Haida and Kwakiutl totem poles, reminiscent of another important cultural heritage provinces. If you hear a cannon salvo on your way to Brockton Point, do not be surprised: it is heard every evening at 21.00, as a tribute to tradition: once the fishermen were informed about the curfew in this way.

Turning west along the waterfront, you pass a bronze statue with the funny name "Girl in a Wetsuit", the local answer to Copenhagen's "The Little Mermaid".

Continue on to Prospect Point (prospect point) from where you have a good view of the oil tankers and bulk carriers with grain bound for Japan, China and Russia. The totem pole marks the spot where Captain Vancouver met with members of the Squamish tribe.

The main attraction of the Vancouver Aquarium (Vancuver Aquarium Marine Science Centre; open: daily Jul-Aug 9.30-19.00, Sep-Jun 9.30-17.00)- without a doubt, a show of dolphins and beluga whales, accompanied by a performance of fur seals. Look also at the striped catfish, which can bite through the crab shell.

Paths with signs lead to the picturesque freshwater lake beaver (beaver lake); the beavers that gave it its name were "deported" from here after nearly destroying the water system. Sandy beaches of the park west coast the peninsulas are among the most popular in Vancouver.

English Bay

After exploring the city center, take a tour of Point Gray (point grey) where you can relax on very comfortable beaches (on Wreck Beach you can do without clothes). Nearby is the territory of the University British Columbia with one of the most beautiful campuses in North America; the terraced Sedgwick Library and the Faculty Club rose garden are two gems in a superb setting of sea and mountains.

Marine Drive at Point Gray is home to the Museum of Anthropology (open: mid-May - mid-Oct. daily 10.00-17.00, Tue until 21.00; mid-Oct. - mid-May Wed-Sun 11.00-17.00, Tue until 21.00), the pride of the university. In 1972, Arthur Erickson designed this majestic building of glass and concrete beams to commemorate the "long wigwams" of the Northwest Coast Indians, made of poles and wooden beams. The lawn is adorned with a wonderful group of totem poles and two cedar houses built in the 1930s. Haida Indians.

In the museum, among the artifacts of other Pacific civilizations, the rich culture of Indian coastal tribes - the Haida, Kwakiutl, Salish, Tlingit and Tsimshian - is presented in a beautifully lit display under a transparent glass roof. Note the cedar canoes built for trade off the coast Pacific Ocean.

Numerous sculptures that you will see were incorporated into the structure of the building as columns and cross beams. One giant Kwakiutl, accompanied by two slaves, symbolizing the power and prestige of the owner, once supported the massive central beam of the ceiling. Other exhibits represent totem animals such as a she-bear protecting a human child. Prehistoric examples of stone carving show the continuity of totem styles. Some smaller figures, carved from soft black mudstone, were made in the 19th century. by the Haida Indians especially for European tourists who found their own caricatures in them. Note the large bathtub-sized wooden platters used to distribute food at potlatch ceremonies, when tribes declared their greatness with lavish charity. An important part of the collection is devoted to jewelry made of gold, silver and copper, wooden masks and ritual rattles. Many of them are stored in galleries 6 and 7, former warehouses.

The so-called visible storage system is a major innovation, making available thousands of art objects from the museum's storerooms. Take advantage of this system to make your own discoveries, compare the works of the cultures of different peoples of the world, or simply admire the richness of the so-called primitive art.

Nitobe Memorial Garden (Nitobe Memorial Gardens; open: daily mid-March - mid-Oct 10:00-18:00; mid-Oct - mid-March Mon-Fri 10:00-14:30) south of the museum is a wonderful example of classic Japanese landscape design. Garden paths with stone lamps lead through ponds with humpbacked bridges to a traditional tea pavilion among Japanese maples and azaleas.

Drive back to the city center on Point Gray Road and stop at the Hastigs Old Mill Museum (Old Hastings Mill Store Museum; 1575 Alma Street; open: mid-June - mid-Sept. Tue-Sun 13.00-16.00; mid-Sept. - mid-June Sat-Sun 13.00-16.00) near Jericho Beach. This building, brought here by barge in the 1930s, is the only thing left of the old Gestaun after the fire of 1886. First it housed a post office, then a department store, and now a museum recreating the atmosphere of the late XIX - early XX centuries . Vancouver's first bohemian neighborhood was Kitsilano (Kitsilano). Students and artists are more likely to hang out on Commercial Drive these days. (Commercial Drive).

Vanier Park, next to the Burrard Bridge, is home to the Pacific Space Center, which includes the Macmillan Space Center. (HR MacMillan Space Centre; open: daily Jul-Aug 10.00-17.00; Sep-Jun Tue-Sun), and two small but interesting museums. One, Vancouver Museum (Vancouver Museum; open: Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00, Thu until 21.00), dedicated local history and anthropology. Other, Maritime Museum (Martime Museum; open: May-Aug. daily 10.00-17.00; Sept. - mid-May Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00), represents the history of the Pacific port. Its main exhibit is the Arctic reconnaissance schooner Saint-Roch. This Royal Mounted Police vessel circled North America through the Panama Canal and the North Arctic Ocean in search of the famous Northwest Passage, hunting for German submarines along the way.

The area where English Bay narrows into Falls Creek reflects Vancouver's taste for the good life. Once a miserable wasteland of dilapidated warehouses, sawmills, factories and marshalling yards, it has been transformed into a trendy shopping district with elegant residential buildings.

On Granville Island (Granville Island), under the bridge with the same name (actually it is a triangular peninsula formed on the site of a landfill), you will see a colorful mix of markets, cafes, boutiques, galleries and theaters. Children love it not only because of the toys in the Children's Market (open: daily 10.00-18.00), but also because there is a large water park with water slides.

Falls Creek (False bay) gave its name to the quarter with houses of original architecture, surrounded by gardens and terraces. In the eastern part of the “bay”, the EXPO-86 exhibition was held, a reminder of which is the huge geodesic dome of the Expocentre. Now there is an IMAX cinema with a huge screen and an applied science center "World of Science" (Science World; open: daily 10.00-17.00), where you can see anything - from a light bulb made of pickled cucumber to the interior of a beaver hut.

Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada. It is located on the west coast of the mainland, in the province of British Columbia. It arose in the 19th century thanks to the "gold rush", and soon became largest port in North America.

Now this Canadian city considered one of the most prosperous for life on Earth. Three times Vancouver received the title of the best city in the world from the authoritative magazine The Economist. How does the city live today? How many inhabitants does it have? And what surprises tourists?

Vancouver on the world map

On the Burrard Peninsula, near the mouth of the Fraser River, Vancouver is comfortably located. Canada is known to be one of the most prosperous and wealthy countries in the world. In turn, Vancouver is considered the most comfortable for life in Canada. It is also often referred to as the "Hollywood of the North" due to the rapid development of the film industry here. In recent years, the city has become a significant tourist centre not only for his country, but for the entire continent. Tens of thousands of foreign guests are annually welcomed by Vancouver International Airport, which, by the way, is located on the island.

Vancouver is unique in many ways. It is the warmest and wettest city in Canada. Curiously, in its central part precipitation falls one and a half times more than on the outskirts. The city is amazingly successfully inscribed in the surrounding natural landscape. And he certainly does not take picturesqueness! Vancouver is surrounded on one side by the blue waters of the endless ocean, and on the other, tall ones in snow caps approach it.

The terrain in Vancouver is predominantly hilly. The city covers an area of 114 square kilometers.

Historical outline

The city of Vancouver was officially founded in 1886. Although half a century ago there was a small village in its place, which was engaged in catching fish, harvesting and selling furs.

Interestingly, in the same 1886, a huge fire broke out in the city, destroying everything that could be. However locality restored quickly. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it already had about 20 thousand inhabitants, and in 1911 - almost 100,000.

During the "gold rush" in Vancouver, they set up the production of installations for gold prospectors, which laid the foundation for the future economic system of the city. In the first half of the 20th century, the region's natural resources were the main core of the city's economy. At the end of the last century, the high-tech industry and cinema began to develop rapidly here.

Population. Transport. The property

The population of Vancouver is just over 600 thousand inhabitants. True, there is such a thing as "Greater Vancouver" - an area with all the suburbs, which is inhabited by 2.3 million people.

Vancouver is very polyethnic. The Chinese, British, Ukrainians, Irish, Greeks and Japanese live here. Moreover, all these national minorities settle, as a rule, separately. Therefore, Vancouver has its own “Chinatown” and its own “little Italy”.

Real estate in Vancouver is predictably expensive. A typical apartment here can be bought for between $200,000 and $400,000, and a house for at least $500,000.

In the 60s, the city was built up with multi-storey buildings and skyscrapers. As such, there is no business district (in its classical sense). The population density in the central part is quite high and amounts to 120 people per hectare.

The city has a highly developed transport system. There is a subway (fully automated), the so-called light metro, city buses and even trolleybuses. Moreover, all of them are included in a single transport system with a common payment. A Vancouver resident can purchase a monthly pass for just $90.

Interestingly, the entrance to the Vancouver metro is absolutely free. However, a stowaway "hare" runs the risk of running into a control system.

City of Vancouver today

Modern Vancouver, according to many travelers, is a strange and unusual city. At first glance, this is a typical Western metropolis with skyscrapers and busy streets. However, if you look closely, there are not so many cars on the avenues, and the city itself is more like a quiet resort town with a measured lifestyle.

Vancouver is a city with excellent infrastructure. It has excellent roads, clean streets, and has its own citywide bike path system. But the city has its own problems, of course.

Perhaps the most painful topic for the city is the homeless, of whom there are a lot. And this is not at all because living in Vancouver is bad and hard, but rather because you can perfectly exist here without even working. Warm winters, liberal governments, and affordable healthcare draw homeless people from across Canada and the United States to Vancouver.

A bad reputation in the city is West Hastings Street, which is literally filled with homeless people, loafers and drug addicts.

Olympic Vancouver

Vancouver is a sports city. The honor of the city is protected by two professional teams - football and hockey. And in 2010, it was this Canadian city (together with the town of Whistler) that hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

The Vancouver Olympics was the third in a row for Canada. The opening of sports competitions was held indoors for the first time - at the world's largest inflatable stadium "Plaza". Canada led the overall medal standings in Vancouver with 14 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze medals. The top five also included the Olympic teams of such countries as Germany, the USA, Norway and South Korea.

10 Surprising Facts About Vancouver

Finally, we bring to your attention ten unusual and interesting facts about this Canadian city:

Vancouver is called the Second Hollywood. In terms of the number of films and TV shows released annually, the city is second only to the world-famous film studio in Los Angeles.
The city bears the name of George Vancouver, a traveler who at the end of the 18th century actively explored the lands of Alaska and the western coast of modern Canada.
Almost a third of the population of modern Vancouver are immigrants from Asian countries (Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and others).
Vancouver has the largest gay community on the continent.
Vancouver leads in terms of crime.
The sale of alcoholic products is prohibited in city grocery stores.
Stanley City Park is the largest on the mainland.
It is in Vancouver that the headquarters of the world famous organization Greenpeace is located.
Vancouver is one of the few cities on the planet where you can sail, ski and play golf in one day.
In the middle of the twentieth century, Vancouver was called the "city of neon lights." And today, some companies and shops still use neon signs.

Vancouver video

Finally…

Vancouver is a city in Canada, on its western coast, which is known far beyond the borders of its country. Today it is considered one of the most comfortable places to live in the world.

Clean air, excellent ecology, beautiful landscapes, first-class golf courses - all this is about Vancouver! Every year this amazing Canadian city attracts more and more tourists and travelers.

Vancouver - The largest city and sea port The province of British Columbia is located in southwestern Canada. This is a dynamically developing metropolis, which is famous for its high standard of living, clean air, beautiful natural landscapes and mild climate.

General information

Vancouver is located on the shores of Barrard Bay in the Fraser River Valley, in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the northeastern border of the United States. This is one of the most picturesque settlements in the world. From all sides the city is surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountain peaks and dense coniferous forests, thanks to which the air in Vancouver is clean and saturated with the smell of needles.

The population of Vancouver, according to 2011, is more than 600 thousand people. As for Greater Vancouver, which includes more than 20 suburbs in addition to the city itself, its population is over 2.3 million people. Vancouver is the most populous city in Western Canada with a population density of over 5,000 people/sq. km.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area of present-day Vancouver belonged to the Squamish, Muskwim, and Tsleilvotoot Indian tribes, who are the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The first European to set foot on these lands was the Spanish explorer José Maria Narvaez, who landed on the west coast of Canada in 1791. The conditional date of the founding of the city is considered to be July 27, 1827, when Fort Langley began to be built in this place by the Hudson's Bay Company.

Thanks to its excellent geographical location, mild climate and ideal ecology, Vancouver attracts great amount immigrants from all over the world. A significant percentage of Vancouver residents are from South-East Asia. It is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada.

The city is very popular among foreign students due to the presence of a large number of educational centers, language schools and colleges. There are 5 public universities in Greater Vancouver. The largest and most prestigious of them is the University of British Columbia (UBC), which is among the 40 top universities peace.

Vancouver has been honored three times by the British magazine The Economist with the title best city Lands (in 2005, 2007, 2009). In February 2010, the XXI Winter Olympic Games were held in the city. Prior to that, Vancouver twice took part in competitions for the right to host the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1980.

Weather in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the rainiest and warmest cities in Canada. The city has a temperate climate, which is characterized by mild rainy winters and sunny warm summers. The richest in precipitation is the period from October to March. It rains here more than 161 days throughout the year. The best time to travel to Vancouver is from May to September.

The summer months are predominantly dry with an average daily temperature of +22 °C. Winters in Vancouver are among the mildest in Canada. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was around -18°C.

Vancouver Transport

The city is served by Vancouver International Airport International Airport(YVR), located in the city of Richmond on the Sea (Sea), 12 km south of downtown Vancouver. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in Canada.

The international airport is connected to downtown Vancouver by The Canada Line, one of 3 SkyTrain elevated light rail lines. Late at night and during breaks, The Canada Line runs between the airport and downtown Vancouver night bus lines N10.

Vancouver has a well developed transportation system. The city's public transport is represented by numerous buses and trolleybuses, the West Coast Express suburban passenger rail line, the SkyTrain elevated light metro and the SeaBus passenger ferry, which is also called the sea bus. The city also has a well-developed network of cycle paths.

Most of public transport Vancouver is operated by Translink. Transport system The city is divided into 3 zones. Each of them has its own fare. The purchased ticket is valid for 1.5 hours and is the same for all modes of transport.

Vancouver's SkyTrain is the world's longest rapid transit system that is fully automated. It was built for the 1986 World's Fair. The SkyTrain system has 3 lines: Expo (Expo line), Millennium (Millennium line) and Canada (Canada line). All 3 lines share the same Waterfront terminus, located in northwest Vancouver.

The SeaBus fleet currently includes 3 passenger ferries that run daily between Downtown and North Vancouver from 6:00 am to 1:00 am. The newest ship was put into operation in 2009.

Districts of Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver

Downtown (Downtown) - business district of Vancouver, which is home to many high-rise buildings, popular entertainment centers, trendy restaurants and offices of large corporations.
Yaletown is a trendy neighborhood along False Creek. The area attracts with its marinas, cozy parks, residential high-rise buildings, boutiques, designer shops and luxury comfortable housing.
West End is a commercial and residential area with low rise houses. It borders Stanley Park to the north. The area is home to Vancouver's gay community.
Coal Harbor is the northernmost of central regions Vancouver. It is bordered to the north by Stanley Park and to the south by the financial district.
Gastown is a historic district of Vancouver famous for its late Victorian architecture.
Chinatown is Vancouver's thriving Chinese community and is the largest of its kind in Canada and the third largest in North America.
Downtown Eastside (Downtown Eastside) - one of the oldest areas of Vancouver, known for high levels of poverty, crime and drugs.

Other Popular Areas in Vancouver

Commercial Drive is one of the multicultural areas of the city with a large number of ethnic and vegetarian restaurants.
Granville Island and Fairview are popular tourist and shopping centers in the city.
Kitsilano is a popular area located along the south coast of English Bay, 10 minutes from Downtown. It was named after Indian chief Augustus Jack Kitsilano. The lands of this area were formerly owned by the Squamish Indians.

Suburbs of Vancouver

Burnaby is an eastern suburb that is the seat of the City of Greater Vancouver. It is also a center for leisure, business and educational activities.
North Vancouver (City of North Vancouver) - a city located on the northern shore of Barrard Bay. In terms of population, it is one of the hundred largest settlements in Canada. Over 48 thousand inhabitants live here. This is a bright dynamically developing city with magnificent nature and a high standard of living.
West Vancouver is a city located northeast of Vancouver. It is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, ski slopes, marinas and picturesque surroundings.
Richmond is a coastal city located on Lulu Island, 25 minutes from the US border. The percentage of immigrants among the population of Richmond is the highest (60%). Most of it is Chinese. The city has two of the largest Buddhist temples in North America - International Buddhist Temple and Ling Yen Mountain. In terms of security, Richmond ranks 3rd in British Columbia.
Surrey is the second largest city in British Columbia after Vancouver. Most of the population is made up of immigrants from South Asia (30%), mostly Indians. Within the city is the Semiahmoo Indian Reservation.
New Westminster is a city of significant historical importance located 19 kilometers southeast of Vancouver. It was founded in 1858 as the capital of the colony of British Columbia.
Coquitlam is a suburb located 15 km east of downtown Vancouver. In 2009, Coquitlam was appointed by Heritage Canada cultural capital countries.
Port Coquitlam is a city located 27 km east of Vancouver at the confluence of the Pitt and Fraser rivers. It is famous for its calm provincial atmosphere.
Delta is a municipality located 27 kilometers south of Vancouver. Surrounded on three sides by waterways: to the south by Boundary Bay, to the west by the Strait of Georgia, and to the north by the Fraser River.
Pitt Meadows is a city located 40 km east of Vancouver. It was named after William Pitt, British Prime Minister during the Napoleonic era.
Maple Ridge is a quiet country town located in the northeastern part of Greater Vancouver.
Port Moody is a city located 30 km from Downtown Vancouver. It was named after Richard Moody, a major general and first lieutenant governor of the colony of British Columbia.
Langley is a municipality in Greater Vancouver, located east of the city of Surrey. It hosts the Langley Cruise-In, a major auto show, and the Arts Alive Festival every year.
White Rock is a city located in the south of Greater Vancouver near the US border. It was named after a large white boulder located on the beach next to the promenade.

Attractions Vancouver

Historic landmarks in Vancouver

The historic district of Gastown with magnificent late Victorian buildings, antique gas lamps, cobbled streets and labyrinths of narrow lanes. The area's main attraction is the Steam Clock, which powers a steam generator located underground. The clock strikes every quarter of an hour, while spewing a cloud of steam.
Fort Langley is considered the founding place of British Columbia. It was here that a century and a half ago, a small fort was built by the Hudson's Bay Company to trade furs with hunters and Indian tribes.
Christ Church Cathedral - Gothic Cathedral Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, opened in 1894.

Vancouver architecture

Harbor Center is a famous skyscraper in the heart of Vancouver's business district. On its roof is a circular viewpoint The Lookout, which provides visitors with a 360° view of the Vancouver area and surrounding areas of the United States.
The Marine Building is a skyscraper built in the Art Deco style in 1930. Its height is about 98 m.
Vancouver Public Library is the second largest public library in Canada.
Canada Place is a famous architectural complex, which in its shape resembles a huge sailboat, consisting of five sails.
BC Place Stadium is the main stadium for the 2010 Paralympics and Olympics. It hosted the opening and closing of the games, as well as the awarding of champions and prize-winners. The stadium can accommodate up to 55 thousand spectators.

Bridges of Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the canyon, the depth of which is 70 m. The bridge was built in 1889. Today it is privately owned and tourists are charged a fee for crossing the bridge. The total length of the bridge is 136 m.
Lion's Gate is a beautiful suspension bridge connecting Stanley Park and the north side of Barrard Bay. The total length of the bridge is 1.8 km.
Burrard Bridge, made in the art deco style, connects the districts of Downtown and Kitsilano.
The Cambie and Granville bridges span between Yaletown and Fairview on the south shore of False Creek.

Vancouver parks

Stanley Park - Stanley Park, which is the second largest urban park in the world. Its area is 400 hectares. On its territory there are many different species of birds and animals (coyotes, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, etc.). There are many bike paths, as well as Indian totem poles, an Aquarium, a comfortable mini-golf course and 2 picturesque reservoirs - Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake.
Queen Elizabeth Park - Queen Elizabeth Park, covering an area of 53 hectares. On its territory there are golf courses, floating gardens, tennis courts, an arboretum, picnic areas, a rose garden, pavilions for various events and the beautiful Prentice Blaudel Orangery, which contains a variety of tropical and desert plants, as well as home to more than a hundred species of birds.
Capilano Park is a picturesque age-old forest with exciting hiking trails. On the territory of the park there is an Indian fort, a park of Indian totems and a secret Indian city, which is a system of suspended passages stretched between trees.
Dr. Sun Yat - Sen Classical Chinese Garden - a traditional Chinese garden located at the intersection of Chinatown and historic downtown Vancouver. This is a real oasis of calm and sophisticated beauty.
Minter Gardens - 11 themed gardens located at the foot of Mount Chim.

Vancouver beaches

Kitsilano Beach is one of Vancouver's most popular beaches. Its main attraction is the outdoor heated swimming pool filled with sea water. The swimming pool is only open during summer. Kitsilano Beach offers great views of downtown Vancouver and the mountains.
Spanish Banks is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and the place where explorer José-Maria Narváez landed.
Wreck Beach - the largest nudist beach in the world, about 7 km long, is located isolated from the city behind the UBC University area.
English Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Vancouver, located in the West End. It is also called First Beach.
The second beach (Second Beach) from Stanley Park is a beach that is very popular among lovers of diving and long swims.
Third Beach - secluded sand beach which is located near the city center. This is perfect place for romantic meetings and secluded swimming is located on the banks of Setnley Park.
Sunset Beach is a small sandy beach located in the western part of Vancouver. It has a large indoor swimming pool.
Jericho Beach is a sandy beach with a small pond. Its eastern part is popular with windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts.
Locarno Beach is a quiet sandy beach surrounded by beautiful evergreen trees.
Other popular beaches include Acadia, Tower Beach, Point Gray Beach and the small beaches of Stanley Park.

Museums in Vancouver

The Anthropological Museum (Museum of Anthropology) is part of the UBC University. Here are collections that acquaint museum guests with the cultures of the peoples of the world, including the culture of the indigenous peoples of Canada. The largest collection of the museum is located in Great Hall. It includes totem poles made from cedar, canoes with colorful patterns, and chests made from bent wood.
The Maritime Museum is Canada's first maritime museum. Its exhibits are devoted to the maritime history of Vancouver. The main attraction of the museum is the historic arctic schooner Saint Roch. The Maritime Museum also houses a large collection of ship models made of paper, cardboard and bone.
The Vancouver Museum contains a rich collection dedicated to the history of the city and the Pacific coast. Here you can also get acquainted with the culture of the Indian tribes of Canada. On the territory of the museum is the Macmillan Space Center, which includes the Planetarium and the Ground Station Theater, in which its guests will be told about astronauts, their food and work, as well as tell about meteorites and space exploration.
Art Gallery (Art Gallery) - the largest in Western Canada, was founded in 1931. Its collections include over 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and contemporary Canadian art.
Museum of Science (Science World) - 47 meters grand building spherical shape crowned with the silhouette of a dinosaur. This is a large scientific center, on the territory of which there are many permanent interactive exhibitions and expositions. The Eureka Gallery, the Sarah Stern Research Gallery and the Gallery of Illusions are very popular. For children, a special Children's Gallery is open, where you can learn a lot of new and useful things through the game.

Vancouver Holidays

Celebration of Light (end of July/beginning of August) is an annual fireworks music competition that attracts many pyrotechnic teams from Italy, Portugal, Mexico, China, the Czech Republic, Sweden and other countries.
International Jazz Festival (June) - an annual international jazz festival, which is the largest such event in British Columbia. As part of the festival, jazz bands perform in parks, community centers, concert halls, clubs, in the squares and streets of various areas of Vancouver.
Pride Parade and Festival (August) is an annual gay pride parade that is the largest in Western Canada and one of the largest in North America.
Sun Run (April) - one of the largest races in North America, which has been held annually since 1985 with the participation of more than 50 thousand people at distances of 2.5 km and 10 km.
Vancouver Marathon (May) - An annual 42-kilometer marathon, which is the largest such event in Canada.
Dancing on the Edge (July) is an annual contemporary dance festival that runs for 2 weeks.

Vancouver Restaurants

The best restaurants in the city:

Cloud 9 (1400 Robson Street 42/F) is a revolving restaurant located on the 42nd floor of the Empire Landmark Hotel. This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner.
Al Porto (321 Water St) is a cozy Italian restaurant organized in the best traditions of Italy.
Bishop "s (2183 W. 4th Ave.) is an upscale restaurant of modern Canadian cuisine. Well-prepared dishes and a cozy atmosphere will leave its visitors only pleasant impressions.
L "Abattoir (217 Carrall St) is a French restaurant located in a restored 19th-century building that was the site of Vancouver's first prison.
Phnom Penh Restaurant (244 Georgia St E) is a Cambodian restaurant located in Chinatown.
Radha Yoga and Eatery (730 Main Street) is a vegan restaurant located in Chinatown.

Things to Do in Vancouver

Vancouver is incredibly rich in entertainment. For its guests, the city offers many entertainment complexes, ski resorts, nightclubs, cinemas, exhibitions, festivals, cafes, etc. In the summer in Vancouver, a large number of park areas and comfortable beaches are open for recreation.

Popular Destinations in Vancouver

The Vancouver Aquarium is one of the largest in North America. In addition, it is one of the five best aquariums in the world. Various halls are presented on its territory: the underwater world of the Amazon, the Northwest coast of North America and tropical seas. There is also a 4D cinema and a corner of the rainforest with tree animals, butterflies and birds.
Klahowya is a unique village in Stanley Park, which offers its guests to plunge into the world of the indigenous peoples of the West Coast of Canada. Here you can see traditional Native American jewelry, artwork and more. Throughout the summer, from Friday to Monday, various cultural events take place in the village.
Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a major exhibition center that houses seasonal amusement parks with numerous attractions such as American and water rides, carousels, "death lifts" and more. Also on the territory exhibition center there are a variety of shows, cultural events, performances by various creative teams and an annual fair, which is held in August.

Things to do in Vancouver

Cycling on the many cycle paths located in picturesque parks Vancouver.
Fishing. Rent a boat and learn about the best places fishing is available at numerous rental points in the Granville, Coal Harbor and Horseshoe Bay areas.
Play golf on numerous specialized golf courses, which are open daily from April to October.
Hiking along the picturesque mountain trails in the vicinity of the city
Diving activity. Vancouver has ideal conditions for scuba diving. The most popular places are Whytecliff Park and Cates Park.
Snowboarding and skiing. Vancouver's most popular ski resort is Whistler, which is located a 2-hour drive from the city. Less than an hour away are other popular ski resorts- Cypress (Cypress), Seymour (Mount Seymour) and Gross (Grouse Mountain).
Rafting on numerous wild rivers such as Chilliwack, Squamish, Nahatlatch, etc.
Windsurfing in the English Bay or on the Jericho shores.
Visiting numerous comfortable beaches, as well as indoor and outdoor pools of the city.
Watching the migration of killer whales (Killer Whale) from May to September.

Shopping in Vancouver

Shopping in Vancouver is considered one of the best in North America. The most favorable time for shopping is the traditional Christmas sale (Boxing day), during which you can buy things at significant discounts, up to 70%.

Popular shopping streets in Vancouver are Robson street, Main Street and the Gastown area. There are a large number of specialty shops, vintage boutiques, souvenir shops and designer shops.

Another interesting place for shopping is the Granville market, located on the island of the same name. Each department is completely unique. This is a kind of tourist attraction in Vancouver. Here you can buy products that you can not buy in ordinary supermarkets, such as delicious sausages, real French cheese and much more. Many interesting souvenirs are also sold here.

The best malls in Vancouver

Metrotown is the largest shopping center in British Columbia. On its territory there are more than 450 shops, as well as a cinema and entertainment complexes.
Pacific Center - located in the center of Vancouver, a large shopping complex with over 100 stores, most of which are underground.
Richmond Center - shopping complex with 230 shops and many entertainments. It is located a quarter of an hour from international airport Vancouver in the suburbs of Richmond.
Brentwood Town Center is a major shopping center in the Burnaby area. The building of the center is decorated with white domes, stylized as snow-capped mountains. Due to its convenient location and excellent selection of shops, the mall is constantly crowded.

Vancouver Hotels

Vancouver - The Pearl of Canada and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. About 12 million people visit the city every year, which makes it one of the most important and most popular tourist destinations countries.

Many have heard about this city, it is interesting for its traditions, culture and events. However, not everyone knows where Vancouver is located. This Canadian community is located in the county and is the largest port in North America. But, in addition to its important economic significance, it is also the center of vacationers Vancouver attracts with its beauty and excellent ski resorts.

local climate

Pick up a globe or detailed map world to find where Vancouver is. That's right, on the west coast of a huge northern country. It is this location that determines the formation of the climate in the area.

In winter, the thermometer here shows +6...+8 ⁰C during the day and about 0 ⁰C at night. The water temperature ranges from +8 ⁰C to +10 ⁰C.

In spring, the city of Vancouver turns into a real flower garden. It gets warmer here every day, and if in March it is only +10 ⁰C, then by May the daily temperature reaches +16 ⁰C.

But at night it is cool here - +3...+8 ⁰C. But the water temperature rises to +10 ⁰C and a little higher.

Of course, if you remember where the city of Vancouver is located, then you can conclude that you can’t exactly call hot summer here, but the temperature is quite conducive to walking in fresh air. During the day the temperature stays within +19...+22 ⁰C. However, the nights are cool here. If you want to take a calm, measured walk, then you can’t do without warm jackets, the thermometer does not exceed +13 ⁰C. Water in summer warms up to a maximum of +17 ⁰C.

September is still a summer-like warm month - +18 ⁰C during the day, and +10 ⁰C at night. But the approach of the cold season is already felt - and the temperature in November drops to +9 ⁰C.

Top attractions in Vancouver

The stunning city of Vancouver! Canada can rightly be proud of him. There are so many must-see places here that tourists need at least two weeks to visit. In order not to miss the most interesting, you can make a plan of excursions.

The first thing you should definitely see is the half-kilometer building faithfully and faithfully guarded by statues of white lions.

Von Langley Park captivates tourists with its amazing landscapes and buildings with a rich history.

Go to the Maritime Museum. Both adults and children who love stories about sailors should visit this place. The museum is known for a huge number of interesting exhibits, one of which is a whole ship.

Closer to nature

Remember where Vancouver is located geographically, and you will immediately understand how amazing and unique its nature is. Let's give some examples.

stanley park

A favorite place for rest of townspeople and tourists. And this is not surprising. A thousand acres of green forest is a fantastic sight. The design of this amazing place was made by nature itself. Of course, now Stanley Park is ennobled by people, but in it untouched forests occupy almost the entire area. And starting from spring, you can admire a huge number of roses in the rose garden. It will be interesting for children to see a large aquarium with such huge marine life as whales and beluga whales.

classical chinese garden

Unexpectedly, but in the very center of Vancouver, you can come across a piece of China. This is a garden, made in the classical manner inherent in the times of government. The park occupies a small area - less than a quarter of a hectare, but the efforts of Chinese landscape masters are highly appreciated by tourists who once discovered this amazing city and will never forget where Vancouver is located.

State Aquarium

Here you can see a huge number of listen to entertaining lectures about underwater world with illustrative examples, watch the feeding of cute mammals. In addition to underwater inhabitants, on the territory you can look at a corner of the tropical forest, the main and most striking inhabitants of which are fantastically beautiful butterflies.

Courage test

lovers thrill There are plenty of things to do in Vancouver too. For example, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Its length is 136 meters, height is 70 meters. Under it flows a raging mountain river of the same name.

Now the bridge is privately owned, and a tour of it costs money. But that doesn't deter the daredevils. Walking across the bridge when the wind is strong and the structure is swaying from side to side is a great way to tickle your nerves.

The reward for courage will be the most beautiful views from the bridge. Here you can take amazing pictures that will become a real decoration of a family photo album.

The bridge has been modernized, and the passage through it is absolutely safe, but people with poor health should still refrain from walking.

Not less than extreme entertainment expect tourists when visiting Mount Partridge. You will have to get to the top by funicular - and this is only the beginning of an exciting adventure. You can test yourself for dexterity and courage by snowboarding, paragliding or going down with a breeze along a rope cable on a winch. For those who prefer traditional skiing, there are several gentle slopes.

Educational establishments

Vancouver is home to several world-famous educational institutions. For example, Simon Fraser University or the University of British Columbia. The last of them is known not only for its excellent educational programs, but also for the Anthropology Museum located on its territory. There is a unique collection of exhibits from around the globe.

Venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics

Winter sports enthusiasts will never ask a question like: “Vancouver… What country is this city in?” Do you know why? Because they remember the 2010 Olympic capital with warmth.

By the way, holding the Games on their native land, despite some difficulties in organizational issues, brought the Canadian team victory in the medal standings.

November 8th, 2016 09:09 am

I'll tell you a little about Vancouver, a city in British Columbia, Canada, where I was lucky enough to live for more than two years.

Initially, my contract involved moving to Seattle, USA, but it turned out that only a limited number of work visas in the United States are issued per year, playing them randomly between applicants. This time fortune turned its back on me and I flew past Seattle.

In return, I received an offer to work in Vancouver for the time being, and, if desired, to apply for an American work visa for the next year. I must say that I had a very skeptical attitude both towards Vancouver and Canada as a whole.

I knew about Canada that it is in the north, which means it must be cold there, especially in winter. Canadians love to play hockey and they do it well, and between hockey matches these bearded men cut wood with axes, talking to each other at once in English and French alternately. With such baggage of stereotypes, I flew here.

I didn’t know anything about Vancouver except that the Olympics were held here not very long ago.

The first impression was also somehow not very inspiring - at the crossroads next to the building where I temporarily settled, a not very clean bum was sitting and begging for change. After, where in the three years of his life he had to deal with such a contingent only a couple of times, and even then somewhere at the train stations, the contrast was not in favor of Canada - you meet beggars here regularly.

But after a couple of months, this city won my heart. Moving to Seattle, especially after a trip to it for the weekend, disappeared any desire.

In the choice between the US and Canada, my choice was Canada. I still do not regret this decision, although doubts crept in a couple of times, but only when the rate of the Canadian dollar began to sag quite noticeably in relation to its southern namesake. But it was rather a rational approach that spoke in me, emotionally I am still on the side of Canada.

Vancouver is a wonderful city. I walked its streets up and down and, although I have something to tell about it, for the most part it will be a photo essay.

I settled in downtown, which is surrounded by water on three sides. Almost like in a song about Vladivostok, widely known in narrow circles.

All these boats scurrying back and forth do not stop pleasing the eye, which in two years should have, in theory, got used to such a spectacle.

I cannot call this city extremely interesting from a tourist point of view.

However, you can definitely spend a few days here without getting bored.

Often by chance you can stumble upon something interesting.

Or something downright ugly.

Here, contrary to my stereotype, no one speaks French, except tourists from France or the province of Quebec.

Chinese is much more popular than French.

Somewhere it was even written that Vancouver is the most "Asian" city in North America. I can't vouch for the authenticity, but it looks like the truth. So for lovers of exotic cuisine here is a paradise.

In general, this is a very international place. Walking down the street, you can hear dozens of different languages. This city resembles New York in miniature.

Tolerance to everything here is elevated to the rank of a cult. On the street, you can sometimes meet such colorful characters that in other places passers-by would constantly stare, turning their necks, and here this maximum causes a slight smile. People are accustomed, it seems, to any possible way self-expression.

This is not surprising, there is always something going on here. Some kind of cosplay...

...that "polar bear swim" on the first of January.

People love the holiday feeling. Preparations for Halloween start months in advance. Almost immediately after Halloween, they decorate shop windows for Christmas, then for Valentine's Day, and so on - all year round.

The most unexpected thing in Vancouver for me was the climate. It's hot here in summer. You can even swim in the sea, albeit not for long - the water in the bay is still quite cold.

It's strange that it's warm here in winter.

The temperature very rarely drops to zero. In my two years in downtown, I only saw snow twice, one for each winter, but even that melted immediately, barely touching the ground.

True, in autumn and winter there is one very big minus - it constantly rains. And this is perhaps the main drawback of this city. When outside the window it is disgustingly drizzling for 25 days out of 30 - it is very depressing, you want to climb the wall.

Everyone struggles with this winter depressive time in different ways. Someone is looking for some kind of entertainment under the roof, such as museums, cinemas, libraries, exhibitions, restaurants, shopping centers. And someone goes outside the city. For example, skiing. Fortunately, having driven only 150-200 km, you can get into a completely different winter climate, where there will be plenty of snow.

They say that living in Vancouver, you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the evening. And this is really possible in the spring, when the mountains are still full of snow, and the summer heat is already in the city.

From the point of view of ecology, there is also a complete order. A huge part of the city is occupied by Stanley Park.

In fact, this is just a piece of rain forest through which a web of trails has been laid.

Very pleasant and popular place for walking. In places here you forget that quite a large metropolis is buzzing very close by.

In the park you can meet a huge number of different representatives of the animal world: geese, ducks, squirrels, beavers, skunks, even, oddly enough, turtles. But most of all, raccoons touch me, I can never pass by without taking a few photos.

You can often see seals on the coast, and whales even swam into the bay a couple of times. I think that few cities can boast such a variety of wildlife within the city.

In British Columbia, they are generally obsessed with ecology. Bicycles, vegetarian restaurants and electric cars are all around.

Stanley Park is far from the only place where you can touch nature. For example, in North Vancouver, you can walk on a suspension bridge over the canyon. The ticket costs about $40, which, of course, is a robbery. But this is a tourist attraction, where a huge number of people come.

At the same time, every local who loves forest walks knows that there is a suspension bridge that is no worse, almost without people and completely free. You just need to take the bus to Lynn Valley.

Another popular place on the outskirts of the city is Grouse Mountain. Here you have two options. Or you pay $45 for a gondola ride.

Or you pay with your feet and stomp almost a kilometer high on foot along the very popular Grouse Grind trail. If you are not used to hiking in the mountains or are not confident in yourself, then it is better not to even start. You need to go constantly up with a decent slope. When I climbed for the first time, I was completely unprepared for such an attraction and cursed everything in the world. Now, after I have become interested in hiking in the local mountains, it seems ridiculous. Now we climb up there from time to time as an exercise.

There is a warning sign on the trail that you can meet a bear in the forest. To be honest, there are so many people passing through here every day that I highly doubt the relevance of this warning. Although, anything can happen - there are really a lot of bears in the vicinity.

So on Grouse, in a fenced area, two grizzlies live. They were once rescued as babies and are now a very popular place to take a safe photo of a bear.

On the mountain there is entertainment for any time of the year. In summer, you can see various performances here or dine on the restaurant's terrace. Several trails, or trails, as they are called here, start from here to wilder places. In the end, from the top you have a beautiful view of Vancouver.

In winter, you can go ice skating or skiing. Despite the fact that it rains in the city in winter, at this altitude it is replaced by snow.

Not everything, of course, in Vancouver is as beautiful and rosy as we would like. There are also disadvantages here. This is a very expensive city. Especially in the real estate market, prices have long exceeded a reasonable limit. The government is trying to somehow deal with this, for example, by introducing an additional tax on the purchase of real estate for non-residents, but so far no measures have really worked, and prices are only rising.

Compulsory car insurance also costs some crazy money. I pay two and a half thousand a year, which is about the most basic minimum possible.

There are also many homeless people who often sleep right on the streets of downtown. Their concentration is especially large on the infamous East Hastings Street in Vancouver, where prosperous people try not to meddle. Here, in general, some separate world with very muddy and sometimes abnormal characters. In principle, if you go through it, nothing terrible will happen to you, but you will see many not very pleasant scenes from the life of drug addicts and half-crazy people.

By the way, marijuana is treated very calmly in Vancouver. Officially, it has not yet been legalized, but everything is moving towards this, and in reality no one will be fined for smoking it. From time to time, supporters of legalization even arrange a sale right in the center of the city, and the police are on duty nearby, and there are ambulances. But I will write about it separately sometime.

On the whole, despite its minor flaws, Vancouver is a surprisingly pleasant city to live in. People here mostly try to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, which sets the tone for other less active residents, forcing them to get out of the house more often.

In general, come - you will like it. Just not in winter, otherwise get wet.