The ocean and mountains create a dramatic contrast with downtown's shiny towers of commerce.

Beautiful Stanley Park, which in the mid-1800's was a military reserve used to guard the harbor, offers hundreds of acres of lush forest and crystal clear lakes that create the perfect setting for a variety of entertainment and relaxation for visitors. The Lions Gate Bridge offers a panoramic view of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains. Within the park are a miniature railway, Water Park, beaches, pool, kid's farmyard and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. Not far from downtown is Chinatown. Strolling block after block through Chinatown's maze of brilliantly colored markets, restaurants and shops you'll discover a fascinating array of exotic foods, clothing, art and entertainment.

Be sure to check out the world's thinnest office building, the Sam Kee Building, on the corner of Pender and Carrall streets. Built in 1913 and currently occupied, the building is only six feet wide! The quaint and oldest neighborhood of Vancouver, Gastown, was named after a talkative Yorkshire-born saloon proprietor, John Deighton, nicknamed Gassy Jack. Supposedly Gassy Jack told the local mill workers that could drink all the whisky they wanted as long as they helped him build his saloon. The saloon was built within 24 hours albeit how structurally sound is another story. Gastown's cobblestone streets and 1800's architecture creates a historical and interesting background for the unique shops and galleries.

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