Vancouver: Part Three (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden)

On the last full day of our trip we decided to get up early and head to Chinatown, which was within walking distance of our hotel.  We got their around 9:30am, on a Saturday, and the neighborhood still seemed to be asleep.  Chinatown itself was a little sad looking with its array of local vagrants and panhandlers, but our primary reason for visiting was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden.  I had had several people recommend the place as a must-see, so we put it on our list.  Since we got there before they opened at 10am, we walked around to the other side of the garden where there is a public Chinese garden. This Chinese garden is free and open to the public yet is connected to the the classical garden.  It's a little more run-down than Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's garden, which charges admission, but it is still worth a visit. 

The entrance to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Garden is just next to the public garden.  Red Chinese lanterns flank the entrance, making it easy to spot.  Again, since we went during the off-season, the garden was crowd-free, with only a couple other groups there visiting.

Though we were lucky to have a break in the rain and the sun came out, I have to admit that Winter isn't the best time to go to the gardens.  While it was still beautiful and worth the experience, I can only imagine how breathtaking the gardens are in the Spring and Summer months!  I'd venture to say that it's probably well worth braving the crowds to see everything in bloom and flourishing.

See you next time (or at least I hope), for a recap of some random highlights from our trip!  Seriously, I hope you come back because I'm going to let you in on one of the best things to do in Vancouver...something I didn't believe was going to be as awesome as it was...