Our Visit to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC
Last Updated on April 14, 2024 by Kelly
We visited The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on a rainy winter day. This beautiful botanical garden is located right in the center of Vancouver’s Chinatown. As soon as we entered through the gates, we were transported to a tranquil garden that felt as if it were miles away from the city. In this post, we’re sharing all about our visit the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
About the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Address: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2, Canada
Website: https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was built after the community successfully kept a freeway from being built right through Chinatown. Once the area was protected, the idea for the Classical Chinese Garden emerged. The garden was built over the course of 13 months by dozens of expert craftsmen, many of whom traveled from China to help build the garden.
The Chinese Classical Garden was named after Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who is widely known as the Father of Modern China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was born in 1866 and he worked extensively to help overthrow the last imperial dynasty in China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen made it a priority to facilitate cultural understanding between China and the rest of the globe. He visited Vancouver several times throughout his life, and made a large impact on the local Chinese community. The garden was built to honor his life and legacy.
The garden is exceptional because it is the first full-scale traditional Ming dynasty classical Chinese Garden outside of China.
The garden includes materials such as stone pebbles, hand-made tiles, Nan wood, and Ginkgo wood. Visitors can walk through the garden and learn about Chinese culture. The garden is a registered museum and is a gathering place for tours, festivals, and educational events.
The classical garden itself is filled with picturesque walkways, ponds, plants, and benches to sit for contemplation and enjoyment. We recommend that you take your time exploring the garden. Everywhere you look there are little details that show great care and precision. We especially loved how the pebbles were arranged in geometric patterns.
Visiting the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was a great family-friendly activity in Vancouver BC. Our toddler enjoyed exploring the garden, and we really liked observing each of the garden’s features.
We visited the garden on a rainy day, and we thought it was an excellent outdoor rainy-day activity. The walkways are covered, so you can still enjoy much of the garden even on a rainy day. Don’t let the rain stop you from visiting!
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park
While the Classical Chinese Garden requires admission, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park is free to the public. The park is located right next to the garden and is a beautiful place to pause and reflect.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Courtyard
There is a courtyard between the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Classical Chinese Garden, and the park. The courtyard serves as a community gathering space. When we visited the courtyard during the Lunar New Year, and there was live music and special programming to celebrate.
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Nearby Dining
After our visit to the garden, we asked a staff member for their recommendation regarding where to eat in Chinatown. We were kindly directed to New Town Bakery & Restaurant. The restaurant is well-known for its large steamed pork buns. We ordered a few different types of steamed buns as well as Chinese pastries. They were amazing! If you’re in Chinatown, be sure to stop by New Town. (They’ve also been featured by CNN Travel!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver named after?
The Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC is named after Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who is widely known as the Father of Modern China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was born in 1866 and he worked extensively to help overthrow the last imperial dynasty in China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen visited Vancouver several times during his life.
Is the garden stroller and wheelchair accessible?
Yes, we took our toddler to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and we brought our stroller. There is nowhere to park your stroller, so you will need to take it with you as you walk around the garden. The walkways are a bit narrow, but they can easily accommodate a stroller or a wheelchair. For wheelchair access, you’ll need to enter through the gift shop.
Summary
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a tranquil space located in the heart of Vancouver BC. If you’re in Chinatown, we highly recommend that you take time to explore the beautiful garden. We were so glad we were able to visit the garden during our most recent trip to Vancouver BC!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
