Things to do in Vancouver
Vancouver offers a wealth of things to do, catering for a diversity of tastes in a way that few other cities can claim. Lonely Planet says that it's possible to start the day on the ski slopes, sail in the afternoon and end the day with a cocktail in a fashionable bar. With its close proximity to mountains and typical city sophistication, Vancouver can accommodate adrenaline junkies, bar flies and shopaholics alike.
Visitors would be advised to start their trip at The Lookout! One of Vancouver's most visible landmarks, the 169-metre-tall needle-like structure offers 360 degree panoramic views of the city, making it the perfect starting point for anyone trying to plan their sightseeing. Hourly tours are also held for anyone wishing to learn about the history behind Vancouver's famous sites and attractions.
Other notable attractions include Canada Place, a leviathan-like structure on the waterfront, with five white "sails" looming out over the harbour. A viewing promenade offers views of the city, while the building itself is home to the CN IMAX Theatre, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, World Trade Centre, Pan Pacific Hotel and a selection of shops.
The city has a lively outdoor sports scene, reflected in the fact that there are half as many fat people as the Canadian average. Within the city, the Sea Wall Promenade is a popular attraction for fitness enthusiasts, with its five mile stretch populated by joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters. Looking beyond the city, the stunning North Shore mountains are accessible within half an hour. The mountains are home to three ski runs, where tourists and residents alike flock during the winter ski season. Three rivers, the Capilano River, Lynn Creek and Seymour River, also converge close to the city and are ideal for white water rafting, especially when the snow melts.
Leaving the city also takes visitors to Wreck Beach, an unspoilt, almost prehistoric stretch of coast strewn with logs and bordered by a forest. The city's only nudist beach, it has a liberal reputation, where ox burgers and drumming circles abound.
Going out in Vancouver doesn't have to mean sweat and adrenaline, however, as there are also plenty of activities for the more sedate visitor. The city is home to two professional orchestras, the CBC Radio Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as a major opera company, the Vancouver Opera. The Vancouver Art Gallery, housed in a former courthouse, is also popular, showcasing an impressive mix of contemporary and historical art.
Vancouver's China Town is one of the most impressive in North America, the stunning centerpiece of which is Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden & Park. Known as a zen-like sanctuary in the middle of the city, Vancouverites flock to its beautifully laid out sunken gardens and calming jade-coloured pools. Designed along the Taoist principles of yin and yang, guided tours are available for those seeking a full explanation of the garden's deeper, spiritual meaning.
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Things to Do
