Vancouver’s large Asian population helps give the city a palpably cosmopolitan atmosphere, and two of my favorite spaces are traditional Chinese and Japanese gardens.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The more famous of the two, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, lies in the middle of Chinatown within walking distance of my recommended hotels. The first 15th-century Ming-style garden outside China, this complex encompasses paths, ponds and manicured greenery set among the halls of a courtyard mansion. Chinese craftsmen built the “scholar’s residence” in 1986 in a traditional manner without nails or screws; the space feels tranquil and timeless. Guided tours illuminate the rich symbolism of the garden and depart four to eight times daily, depending on the season.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall Street. Tel. (604) 662-3207