Vancouver
Blessed by Nature's Bounty

Vancouver is a dream city ringed with rugged mountains and endowed with a huge natural harbor that remains ice-free all year. Lovely beaches and parks surround the inner core of glass skyscrapers, a futuristic rapid-transit system, ritzy hotels and subterranean shops. Vancouver's residents enjoy the highest per capita income in Canada and one of the nation's highest standards of living. Tourism is the city's most important industry.

History

Vancouver's first residents arrived about 50 years after Captain George Vancouver sailed these waters in 1792. However, the gold rush of the 1860s, which brought a flood of prospectors to the area, was responsible for the city's real beginnings. A town emerged around the original ragtag assemblage of wooden shacks, and it was officially named Granville. But the miners referred to their settlement as Gastown, in honor of Gassy Jack. Faced with the possibility of a major port's being called Gastown, the provincial government persuaded the settlers to agree to a third choice, and Vancouver was incorporated in the year 1886.

Two months later, a fire destroyed the cluster of shanties. In true pioneer spirit, the settlers immediately began rebuilding their town, and some of these Victorian structures can be seen today in the restored Gastown area. Gassy Jack's statue stands at Maple Tree Square, and nearby an unusual steam clock chimes the quarter hour in Westminster tones.

Vancouver grew quickly throughout the early 20th century; by 1930, it had become Canada's third-largest city and remains so today, ranking only behind Toronto and Montreal. The Greater Vancouver Regional District was incorporated in 1967 to recognize the growth of the city's metropolitan area. Vancouver celebrated its centennial in April 1986 and, one month later, hosted EXPO '86, the most successful world's fair in history.

Sightseeing

The area immediately surrounding Harbour Centre showcases Vancouver's skyscrapers and multilevel urban shopping malls. At the intersection of West Hastings and Carrall, you have two options: a turn toward the harbor takes you to Gastown, while going east on Hastings will bring you into Chinatown.

Gastown's cobblestone streets and gaslights impart a warm welcome; this is the bohemian side of Vancouver. The tiny historic district is bounded by Richards Street to the west, Columbia Street to the east, Hastings Street to the south and the waterfront to the north. The area contains several restaurants with international reputations, and is home to street musicians, antique and arts and crafts shops, and small, inviting boutiques.

The Chinese district, centered on Hastings and Pender streets between Carrall and Gore, is North America's second-largest Chinatown; colorful shops and aromatic food markets recall the marketplaces of ancient Cathay. On Pender, look for the Chinese Cultural Centre, which often hosts art exhibits. Behind it is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden; this delicately landscaped oasis of placid pools and covered walkways was the first classical Chinese garden built outside China itself.

North of the downtown area is Stanley Park, named after Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada in the late 1800s and the originator of hockey's Stanley Cup. Within this 1,000-acre park--the largest city park in Canada and one of the natural wonders of North America--lie miles of bike trails and foot paths, playgrounds, beaches, marinas, totem poles and the Lost Lagoon, a sanctuary for Canada geese and other wildfowl. There's also an outstanding public zoo, an outdoor theater and a miniature railway, as well as the Vancouver Public Aquarium and the five-mile-long Seawall Promenade.

Queen Elizabeth Park, located south of downtown on the highest point in the city, affords a breathtaking view of Vancouver and the North Shore. The 150-acre park includes a sunken Japanese garden, an arboretum, rose gardens and a tropical garden inhabited by free-flying birds. And the Nitobe Memorial Gardens, west of downtown on the campus of the University of British Columbia, is the most authentic Japanese garden in North America.

For a panoramic view of the harbor and the city, take the skyride up Grouse Mountain, located on the North Shore. The nearby Capilano Suspension Bridge, the longest suspended footbridge in the world, offers a different kind of thrill--you can traverse the Capilano Canyon from a dizzying height of 25 stories.

Sports

Salmon fishing around Vancouver is excellent; area waters also abound with many other saltwater and freshwater fish. Fishing licenses are required and are available at major downtown department stores and sporting-goods stores. There are over 5,000 miles of sheltered waterways for boating; canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving can also be arranged at the local marinas and dive shops.

Landlubbers can partake of Vancouver's great outdoors in a number of ways, too. Golfers have 17 public courses to choose from, including the demanding Fraserview Golf Course. Miniature golf can be played at Ambleside Pitch and Putt and at courses within Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. The city also has more than 200 outdoor public tennis courts; all except the courts in Stanley Park are free of charge.

A paved bike path skirts the perimeter of Stanley Park, and another follows the SkyTrain route from the Main Street station east of downtown to New Westminster, passing by 32 parks and playgrounds along the way. For those who prefer walking to riding, wilderness trails can be found in Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Park and Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. The Baden Powell Trail across the North Shore mountains presents more of a challenge but rewards the ambitious with fabulous scenery.

Vancouver is home to a number of professional sports teams, including the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and the Triple A farm team of the Chicago White Sox.

Shopping

Chinatown is the place to look for authentic Chinese crafts and other wares, and the quaint shops of Gastown make for a delightful shopping experience.

Be sure to take a stroll along fascinating Robson Street, also called Robsonstrasse. The blocks from the park to City Hall are crammed with European caf‚s and shops. High-fashion and jewelry boutiques represent some of the most internationally well-known designers. At the corner of Cardero, you'll find the Robson Public Market, a unique glass house of mini-restaurants and retail stalls, which was inspired by London's Victorian Crystal Palace. There are five other public markets throughout the city.

Among the best buys in Vancouver are Native arts and crafts, including jade, soapstone and whalebone scrimshaw carvings; handcrafted jewelry, clothing and moccasins; paintings, totems and masks; and household items such as baskets and pottery. Hand-knit Cowichan sweaters make nice gifts. Designer clothing and jewelry are plentiful, including fashions created by up-and-coming local designers. You'll also find several duty-free stores featuring bargains on such goods as liquor, tobacco products, cosmetics and perfumes.

One really special souvenir item is local salmon--several Vancouver stores sell smoked salmon and will prepare and pack it for you.