Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC

Our Visit to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC

Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Kelly

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a must-see attraction when you are visiting Vancouver BC. This beautiful botanical garden is located right in the center of Vancouver’s Chinatown. As soon as you enter through the gates, you are transported to a tranquil garden that feels as if it is miles away from the city. In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know to 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.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC


Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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 Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC

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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What to Bring to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

  • Power Bank Cell Phone Charger: We like this one because the cord is embedded. (One less thing to lose.) If you’re out at the parks, you won’t have to worry about losing your cell phone charge.
  • Water Bottle: We like a good insulated water bottle/thermo canteen.
  • Walking Shoes: The garden has so many beautiful paths and trails, so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. I’ve been wearing Brooks brand for years and love them!
  • Packable Rain Jacket: This rain jacket rolls up small and can easily fit in your bag. If it starts to rain during your trip, you’ll be ready!

Dining Near the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

New Town Chinatown Vancouver Steamed Pork Buns

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.

Chinatown in Vancouver BC Canada


Where to Stay in Vancouver

winter weekend Vancouver JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
View from our room on the 23rd floor

 

We recommend that you stay at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. This hotel has a rooftop hot tub with views of the city, a casino, and lots of dining options. We stayed at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver during our last visit to Vancouver, and we were able to easily walk to Chinatown and the garden. We had spectacular views of the city, and we would highly recommend it to anyone! We wrote a full review of our stay if you’re interested in reading more.


Summary: Our Visit to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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.

Hi, I’m Kelly!

After studying abroad in Spain, I became passionate about international travel. Since then, I’ve traveled to 6 continents and 36 states within the United States. When I’m not travel blogging, you can find me hiking, reading books in Spanish, or playing cribbage. I hope my blog inspires you to see the world!