|
Vancouver might not seem like the best
location to step back in time to 15th century China, but the Dr. Sun
Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a marvel, an accurate copy of a
classic garden from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Pictures and words
don't do the garden justice. When you visit, it's like stepping back
in time and halfway around the planet all at once. A short walk from
downtown Vancouver, Chinatown and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese
Garden is a great way to spend an afternoon.
A cultural and artistic gem in Vancouver, the gardens really bring the
visitor to another place and another time. There's the normal gift
shop and other amenities, but it's the atmosphere that really
impresses. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society was formed in 1981. The
non-profit's mission was to bridge Chinese and local Western culture,
acting as a translator of sorts. (They act more as a cultural and
educational translator more than an actual translator.) They do a lot
of great work with visitors and locals, educating them about Chinese
culture, especially that of the Ming Dynasty.
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was opened to the public
in 1986, and quickly became a popular destination for visitors to
Vancouver and local residents, many of whom became members or
volunteers, helping support the non-profit organization. The garden,
though, is the centerpiece of the organization and is what draws a lot
of people. If you're going to be in Downtown Vancouver and need a
moment or two to get away from the stress of modern life, Vancouver's
Chinese Garden can take you back to a more peaceful time. |
