Introduction
Canada’s ‘gateway to the Pacific Rim’ and third largest city, Vancouver is blessed with one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Ocean and mountains surround the city and expanses of tree-covered parkland fall within its boundaries. Vancouver is also the jumping-off point for exploring the spectacular scenery of British Columbia, from the islands and fjords of the Pacific Coast to the mountains of the interior, as it is located in the southwestern corner of the province, where the Fraser Valley meets the Georgia Strait.
With the beauty of the natural environment and the city’s role as a haven for former hippies and counter-culture types, it is not too surprising that organisations such as Greenpeace and Adbusters sprang up here. But Vancouver is also the commercial and cultural heart of Canada’s West Coast and a major convention and tourist destination.
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Getting There & Around
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), about 10km (6mi) south of the city on Sea Island, is the largest airport on the Canadian west coast. It is a major hub of domestic and international flights, dominated by Air Canada. Besides frequent service to other cities in Canada, there are regular flights to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The magnificent Pacific Central Station, off Main St, is the western terminus for VIA Rail. Amtrak trains also leave from this station, connecting Vancouver to Bellingham and Seattle with one train daily.
You can drive from the USA and other parts of Canada to Vancouver; the major highways are the I-5 (joining with Hwy 99) from the USA, and the Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy 1) joining with Hwy 99 from the east.
Vancouver has an integrated public transport system, TransLink. There are electric trolley buses and standard diesel buses, the fully computerised SkyTrain elevated light-rail system that runs from Waterfront Station to King George Station, SeaBus passenger ferries that zip back and forth across Burrard Inlet, and West Coast Express peak-time trains. Tickets are good for all services except the West Coast Express. Privately operated mini-ferries shuttle around False Creek.
Taxis are generally reliable and can be hailed at big hotels or by telephone.
For visits throughout Greater Vancouver, a rental car makes life much simpler.
Attractions
Chinatown : A designated heritage area, centred on W Pender St at the base of the peninsula. For the most part it's a real Chinese market and business district where most signs are in Chinese and English is rarely spoken.
Gastown : Nineteenth-century office buildings house restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries; old lamps line the brick streets and vendors and buskers add to the holiday feel of the area.
Queen Elizabeth Park : Vancouver's third-largest park occupies the highest point in the city. It includes a beautiful sunken garden surrounded by small cliffs and an Oriental-style garden filled with pools and fountains.
Stanley Park : This park offers outstanding views of downtown Vancouver, the North Shore and the mountains on Vancouver Island. Its encircling trail is great for a walk or bike ride.
Also within the park is the Vancouver Aquarium, brimming with dolphins, killer whales and crocodiles.
Vanier Park : On English Bay south of False Creek and below the Burrard Bridge, this park is home to a fine beach, a stand of lovely old maple trees and a number of museums, such as the Vancouver Museum which specializes in the history of Vancouver and southwestern BC.
More attractions in Vancouver
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