Garden sights in Vancouver
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A
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden & Park
A tranquility break from clamorous Chinatown, this intimate ‘garden of ease’ illustrates the Taoist symbolism behind the placing of gnarled pine trees, winding covered pathways and ancient limestone formations. Entry includes a fascinating 45-minute guided tour – look out for the lazy turtles bobbing in the jade-colored water – where you’ll learn that everything in the garden reflects balance and harmony. Check the garden’s website for its summer schedule of Friday-evening concerts. Adjacent is the free-entry Dr Sun Yat-Sen Park. Not quite as elaborate as its sister, it’s still a pleasant oasis of whispering grasses, a large fishpond and a small pagoda.
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B
Vandusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver's favorite ornamental green space, this 22-hectare idyll is a web of paths weaving through 40 small, specialized gardens: The Rhododendron Walk blazes with color in spring, while the nearby Korean Pavilion is a focal point for a fascinating Asian plant collection. There's also a fun Elizabethan maze, walled by 1000 pyramidal cedars, and an intriguing menagerie of marble sculptures. Free tours are offered daily at 2pm. The gardens are a Christmastime magnet, with thousands of fairy lights illuminating the dormant plant life. Check the website to see what's in bloom seasonally and consider dropping by the bustling June Garden Show (www.vancouvergardenshow.com).
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C
Queen Elizabeth Park
The city’s highest point – it’s 167m above sea level and has panoramic views of the mountain-framed downtown skyscrapers – this 52-hectare park claims to house specimens of every tree native to Canada. Sports fields, manicured lawns and two formal gardens keep the locals happy, and you’ll likely also see wide-eyed couples posing for their wedding photos. Check out the synchronized fountains at the park’s summit, where you’ll also find a hulking Henry Moore bronze called Knife Edge – Two Piece. If you want to be taken out to the ball game, the recently restored Nat Bailey Stadium is a popular summer-afternoon haven for baseball fans.
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D
Bloedel Floral Conservatory
Cresting the hill in Queen Elizabeth Park, this triodetic domed conservatory – an ideal indoor warm-up spot on a rainy day – is the area’s green-fingered centerpiece. It has three climate-controlled zones with 400 plant species, dozens of koi carp and many free-flying tropical birds, including parrots and macaws: ask for a free brochure to help you identify the exotic flora and fauna. At the time of research, the conservatory was under threat of closure due to funding issues so call first before you head over.
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E
Nitobe Memorial Garden
Exemplifying Japanese horticultural philosophies, this verdant tranquility oasis includes a Tea Garden – complete with ceremonial teahouse – and a Stroll Garden that reflects a symbolic journey through life, with its little waterfalls and languid koi carp. Named after Dr Inazo Nitobe, a scholar whose mug appears on Japan’s ¥5000 bill, consider a springtime visit for the florid cherry blossom displays.
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