Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1544515
24 | Alaska Destination Guide Set between the sea and mountains, discover scenic Vancouver and its rich heritage. City Guide VANCOUVER Surrounded by ocean, mountains and ancient rainforest, Vancouver is a modern coastal city with a mild climate, where urban life and nature coexist in effortless balance. With roots in Coast Salish heritage and a past defined by shipping, rail and immigration, it has long served as a gateway between the Pacific and Canada's interior. The city's cultural treasures reflect its indigenous community and embody the influence of European and Asian settlers. While its vibrant institutions run the gamut, from bustling markets to museums that chronicle the region's anthropology and rich art heritage. Vancouver balances urban energy with easy access parks, waterfronts and forested trails. MUST SEES Take a trip to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre haven of beaches, gardens, and forest trails that is considered one of North America's largest urban parks. This natural West Coast rainforest is surrounded by a sea wall offering stunning views and a range of outdoor activities. One of the highlights is an incredible collection of First Nations' Totem Poles, featuring beautifully carved designs celebrating the natural world. Take a ferry to Vancouver Island and enjoy a visit to the Butchart Gardens, a tranquil oasis of lush greenery and colourful blooms. A sightseeing tour of the city is a good way to get your bearings, with Fisherman's Wharf, the Inner Harbour and the iconic Empress Hotel. In Victoria Downtown, explore a mix of heritage buildings. The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world. Look out for local wildlife and enjoy navigating the hedge maze. In Chinatown, stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, an authentic representation of the Ming Dynasty garden tradition and the first of its kind to be created outside of China. STANLEY PARK, CANADA VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA