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Categories: Local Flavor, Botanical Gardens, Venues & Event Spaces
578 Carrall StVancouver, BC V6B 5K2
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 662-3207
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
All Reviews
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
10/6/2009
The irony of their selling Mao clocks and lunch boxes in a memorial for Sun Yat-Sen makes me giggle. And the Chinese propaganda they had in the cultural center was just amazing. *Picture of boy with arm in air* Caption: "Boy loves his country so much he salutes while being pulled out of the rubble." Uh huh...
Beautiful garden. Mostly free admission.
Listed in: Vancouver!
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
6/24/2010
Great spot but not worth paying. Lucky at first we thought there was a fee $20 (Story and Tea) but seeing everyone just walking in without paying made me realized the park is free.
Anyways Great Chinese Garden with Koi fishes swimming, prefect for taking pictures and it's free!
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
6/11/2010
4 photos
Awesome little getaway spot from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located within Chinatown, this garden is seperated into the free section, and a paid admission section which includes a guided tour.
We toured the free section, and I was very impressed. I felt like I had escaped the city, and was in a whole tranquil world. A large pond makes up the center piece of the park, with a gondola right by the pond, inhabited by turtles and koi.
A path allows you take a leisurely stroll around. Beautiful landscaping and a great place to take pictures. A great place to relax, escape to the garden!!
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
7/11/2010
I've been to many of these things before, and while this was nice, it was a bit smaller than the others I have been to. It's very relaxing and definitely gorgeous...I'm just not sure if it is really worth it. I'd rather save my money and go to the Sun Yat Sen park, which is next to this garden, and is free - but just as relaxing.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
1/9/2010
7 photos
The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is an oasis of tranquility and beauty, bordered by bustling Chinatown and also some very sketchy areas. I was intrigued by the description I saw in a tour book: Chinese and Canadian craftsmen worked together, taking great pains to replicate an authentic Ming dynasty classical garden. Using traditional materials and an ancient technique, the halls and walkways were constructed without using nails or screws. The design of the garden is based on the harmony of four main elements of rock, water, plants, and architecture. And harmony is achieved, even in the midst of a major city.
The entrance is a little confusing. We saw a sign that said admission was $10, but no one to collect any fee. We finally figured out that the park is free, but the garden is a guided tour deal. We only saw the public park, but after reading other reviews, the tour, architecture, and exhibits would be enough for me to come back and donate $10 to a local nonprofit.
The park was a little smaller than I expected, but still lovely. It wasn't busy when we were there so we didn't feel rushed or crowded. I imagine some of the tranquil effect would be lost if you came on a busy day. Photo ops abound, and we took plenty of pictures of the flora and fauna and structural features. Nothing fancy, pretty simple and could use a bit of sprucing up. The large pond is home to koi and turtles, so that was fun. Also funny to watch a man feeding them in front of a sign that said "Don't Feed The Animals." Don't expect a lavish and manicured garden and you won't be disappointed by this little gem in Vancouver's Chinatown.
Listed in: Best o' The West
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
2/2/2010
Ummmm, was that it? Sorry, but this was a zen fail for me. I was expecting more, and it didn't seem like the place was as well maintained as it could have been. (Maybe because it was wintertime? But if it sucks so hard in winter, why do they keep it open?)
We did two circuits of the place to make sure we hadn't missed something. I saw a small turtle - that was pretty good (add one star for the turtle).
Before you pay your money, take a stroll around the free section of the garden (on the eastern side). Then if you say to yourself, "Wow! I really really need to see more of this place, I crave some complimentary green tea, and I've got this $10 note that I was meaning to get rid of", then go right ahead.
Otherwise, you might want to give this a miss and continue on to Stanley Park, Van Dusen or Lighthouse Park (West Van) for your taste of serenity.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
1/26/2010
This place is frickin' COOL. It's this little classical Chinese Garden tucked away right alongside a busy street in a crummy downtown neighborhood. It's weird. One minute you're walking along this busy noisy urban street and the next - you're in this little paradise of a garden. Beautiful architechture, pretty plants, fish swimming in the ponds. It's tranquil.
The tour here is great too. The guide we had was just awesome. Her voice - man it gives me goose bumps. You ever get that from someone's voice? Wooo! I'm a sucker - anyhow- she was awesome and gave the tour and explained everything very well. There's a tiny museum area and a nice gift shop too. I really liked visiting this place. I'm glad we stopped in.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
1/23/2010
After reading rave reviews in several guidebooks, I expected a lot more. Maybe it was because of my raging migraine, but this place was just okay.
Sure, it's better than any Asian gardens I've seen in Indiana. But the water had a thick film of pond scum on it, and the place overall didn't seem very well-tended to. I bought some amazing gifts from one of the shops, but was nearly haggled to death to buy more. I'd give it another chance with a better-feeling head.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
6/25/2009
2 photos
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was completed in 1985. It's composed of a public garden and a "scholar's garden" you can access for about ten bucks.
The scholar's garden really evokes a sense of what it may have been like to exist as a classical Chinese scholar and how important an environment can be for deriving peace and inspiration. On both small and large scales, every angle of this little garden seems to be thought out completely in terms of the balance it presents and evokes.
This garden contains several very beautiful bonsai trees - in China it's called penjing - which are over 100 years old.
We really enjoyed walking through and reading about each spot, then just letting go and experiencing it. We found ourselves sitting and chatting for long periods, and it was really relaxing. This is a great spot to go to for anyone who is touring - an interesting and thought-provoking respite.
The area it's in borders on Chinatown and also the area edging Gastown which is filled with drug-addled street folk.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
1/9/2009
1 photo
Paradise! This place is an oasis, a haven, heavenly...
Not sure why ponds and lily pads have such a strong effect, but they just do. The atmosphere is wonderful here, and I've always found that people are quiet and respectful of others here. It's a great place to get away, do some thinking, meditating, refocusing of the mind, or get a few cool photos.
This is a place that I take all of my out of town visitors.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
10/21/2008
Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a must-see, especially if you are a visitor to the city, as so much of Vancouver's past and present is tied to Asian roots and culture.
The garden is constructed in an authentic Ming Dynasty-style, and is renowned as the first of its type built since the late 15th century. Traditional materials from Suzhou, the Garden City of the People's Republic, were used in the construction. It was built with only carefully arranged rocks, wood, plants and water, all without using screws, nails or power tools. The principles of yin and yang opposites, such as light and dark and rough and smooth, are a strong element in this garden's design.
Listed in: Like a tourist...
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
11/19/2008
Taking a tour is a must if you pay admission to this mini, perfect paradise.
The garden is structured as a garden for a scholar from the Ming dynasty: complete with study and courtyards. There are plants to see year-round, with constantly changing shades of green and blooms. Everywhere you can hear running water.
In the intricately carved wooden leak windows, find hidden shapes and meaning. And expect to see bats everywhere. No, not flying around and getting caught in your hair (thankfully), rather incorporated into the garden designs. Bats are a Chinese good luck symbol.
If you lack enough time to fully appreciate the garden and catch a tour (give yourself a good hour plus time to have tea after the tour), wander instead through the public park to the east. Not nearly as fantastic and the plants far less carefully placed, you'll enjoy the large colorful koi and pretty walkways. Definitely a runner up, but still lovely.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
12/2/2008
4 photos
My friend was leaning over to check out a huge frog in the pond in the centre of this garden and her sunglasses fell off her head. The frog came over and clung on to them, making it pretty difficult to retrieve them. A staff member came out of nowhere with a net and scooped up the glasses. How he even knew we needed a net is beyond me - he was there in a flash. It was unexpected and fantastic service in a garden!
The actual garden is small if you compare it to VanDusen or Victoria's Butchart Gardens. You can circle around this one in five or ten minutes. It's free to do so and when the lily pads are in bloom it can be really, really pretty. There's a gazebo in the middle with benches and a few other quiet places to be at one with nature in the middle of the city.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
1/13/2009
I'm going to go right ahead and agree with everyone regarding the difference between the Sun Yat-Sen park and garden. Head to the Park folks, head there.
It's not that I have anything against the garden per-se, but I've seen better traditional Chinese gardens and I've also seen plenty of free ones within the borders of this great province and nation of ours. This one does stack up pretty well, but it's quite small and unless you're really into the gardening style or horticulture in general I'd just stick to the park.
The park has many of the same plants, just a little less kept. It also has a great turtle and koi pond and, I'd argue is just as relaxing when there aren't a million people there. Something quite unique in the city.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
11/29/2009
This place was a lot smaller than I imagined, but it did have a lot of beauty. The guided tour was fairly short but still packed with interesting cultural information about the role of Scholars and their gardens in ancient Chinese society. If it wasn't as cold or rainy this would seen like a great place to waste an afternoon reading a book and sipping tea. You'll see this in every guidebook and I think it is actually worth a special trip over to Chinatown.
Listed in: Seattle and Vancouver
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
10/16/2009
A favourite on rainy winter days when I'm in Chinatown for dim sum. Take a walk through the gardens and contemplate whatever. Its nice to sit in the pavilion and watch the water hit the water. A friend thinks it is getting a little down at the heel, I think it is getting better, formal Chinese gardens are normally considered new for their first 100 years.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
10/31/2009
Great place. I really enjoyed a walk thru the garden.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
12/14/2008
1 photo
the gardens are small, but offer a tranquil escape from the city. we went in the heart of a cold snap and the gardens were covered with snow--still, an enjoyable experience, perhaps because it wasn't teeming with tourists?
it's a small slice of old-school chinese paradise. i don't think the paid admission is worth it, but then again we didn't wait for the guided tour since it was so cold. however, i'd imagine that if i visited during the summer and i needed a getaway from the getaway, the paid portion would fit the bill nicely--especially with the guided tour to point out things that i'm sure i'd miss.
the free side is definitely worth a visit--if you like it, go for the paid side as well. you can't go wrong either way. just being in the gardens and soaking in the atmosphere does wonders for the soul!
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
11/2/2008
7 photos
A nice place to visit in Vancouver. There was a large group of people waiting to get into the Classical Garden, so sis and I just visited the free Park area. We really were glad we saw it, and sat outside and enjoyed a snack in the sun. It is open year-round.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
8/29/2008
10 photos
I went to the Sun Yat Sen PARK, not the Classical Chinese Garden, which is connected but requires an admission fee. The Park is free, but obviously not as beautiful and doesn't have any programs. It was still pretty nice and had a pretty pavilion for good photos, but it was also very crowded. We only stayed there for like...15 minutes. At the entrance there is zodiac on the ground so you can take a picture with the animal for your year!
Listed in: Vancouver on the Cheap
