Inside Vancouver

Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Named Best City Garden in the World by National Geographic Book

by Dana Lynch in Outside on November 30, 2011

Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden

2011 has been a banner year for Vancouver’s Chinatown. Not only was the vibrant neighbourhood declared a national historic site in October, The Vancouver Sun reports that the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden has been”named No. 1 on a list of city gardens around the world in a new book from National Geographic.”

The book, Secret Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Best Hidden Travel Gems, rated Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden above the Rodin Sculpture Garden in Paris, the Foster Botanical Garden in Hawaii, and the Botanic Gardens in Singapore (as well as every other city garden in the world).

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Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Named Best City Garden in the World by National Geographic Book

DTES Heart of the City Festival October 26 – November 6

by Taraneh in Events on October 24, 2011

Image: M-J Milloy

Where is the heart of Vancouver? The living, beating nucleus of this fair town is Downtown Eastside, a neighbourhood that encompasses Gastown, Victory Square, Chinatown, the Main and Hastings corridors, Japantown, Oppenheimer and Strathcona. The Downtown Eastside is where Vancouver began, and the 8th annual Heart of the City Festival, Oct. 26 to Nov. 6, is a series of events that pay tribute to the neighbourhood’s past and present.

The first residents were the ancestors of Coast Salish people who still reside in the DTES today. For the last 125 years, immigrants of all nationalities have settled in this space making it Vancouver’s most diverse neighbourhood. Far from static, the Vancouver’s heart has shape-shifted from entertainment/shopping centre to skid row to hipster magnet with serious affordable housing issues.

The Heart of the City Festival tells these stories with music, dancing, art and history. There are over 100 events in the festival offerings this year. Here are some you won’t want to miss. Continue reading:
DTES Heart of the City Festival October 26 – November 6

Quirky Chinatown: Top 5

by Remy Scalza in Town on October 18, 2011

Last week, Vancouver’s Chinatown was declared a national historic site by the federal government. The three blocks along Pender Streer, from Gore Avenue to Taylor Street, now join 956 other national historic sites around the country.

The new designation got me thinking about what Chinatown has to offer. For tourists, it’s a must see, but many Vancouverites rarely venture through the colourful Millennium Gate on Pender to explore what’s inside.

So I’ve come up with a short, quirky list of some of the overlooked (and not-so-overlooked) charms of Chinatown. Here goes:

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Quirky Chinatown: Top 5

Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market Opens May 20, 2011

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on May 14, 2011

Vancouver Chinatown Night Market. Photo: Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association

Hot on the heels of the summer-season opening of the colossal Summer Night Market in Richmond comes the opening weekend of Vancouver’s own Asian-style night market: the Chinatown Night Market kicks off its summer season this Friday, May 20.

When it comes to size and scope, Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market can’t compare to Richmond’s Summer Night Market. But the Chinatown Night Market has a charm and spirit just as big as its sister market, and its urban, neighbourhood setting in the heart of historic Chinatown gives it a street-festival atmosphere that makes it just as worthy of a visit.

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Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market Opens May 20, 2011

Photo-Essay: Inside Vancouver Neighbourhoods – Chinatown

by Inside Vancouver in Photo Essays on April 14, 2011

Whether it is for the freshly baked goods or the stunning historical artefacts, Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood has enough nostalgia to spread for its visitors and residents. Nestled in near the edge of the downtown core, this particular Chinatown is blessed with some stunning architecture as well as waterfront scenery. Static Photography photographer Kris Krug had the chance to wander around his local neighbourhood with his camera in tow. He was even able to catch some rare Vancouver sunlight while wandering the streets.

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Photo-Essay: Inside Vancouver Neighbourhoods – Chinatown

Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Named Best City Garden in the World by National Geographic Book

DTES Heart of the City Festival October 26 – November 6

Quirky Chinatown: Top 5

Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market Opens May 20, 2011

Photo-Essay: Inside Vancouver Neighbourhoods – Chinatown

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