Vancouver Icons: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

The mission of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society, incorporated in 1981, is to maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between the Chinese and Western cultures, to promote Chinese culture generally, and to be an integral part of the local community. Since Vancouver’s Chinese Garden was built between 1985-1986, it has served as a stunning venue, cultural hub, public park and green space in the heart of the city.

Using the time honoured principles and techniques of the original Ming dynasty garden, 52 master craftsmen from Suzhou China, working with Canadian counterparts, completed this landscape masterpiece within a year. The intricate halls and walkways are constructed with precise joinery and without the use of nails, screws or glue. For the architect, the botanist, the student of history, the lover of beauty, the Garden provides insights into the subtle wonders to be found within the walls of this living treasure.

Opening on April 24, 1986 at 578 Carrall Street, this oasis is loved by locals and tourist, and as such it is today’s Vancouver Icons photo feature:

1985: Archives# CVA 1502-1005.

1985: Archives# CVA 1502-1040.

1986: Archives# CVA 784-317.

Photo credit: M Yee on Flickr

Photo credit: Kevin Krebs on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry on Flickr

Photo credit: Maurice Li Photography on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup & Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Photo credit: Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Photo credit: Scapevision on Flickr

Photo credit: Rikki / Julius Reque on Flickr

Photo credit: TOTORORO.RORO on Flickr

Other Vancouver Icons posts: Museum of Anthropology, Fort Langley Community Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, Waterfront Station, Pacific Central Station, Randall Building Mural, East Van Cross, Robert Burns Statue in Stanley Park, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Flack Block, The Drop, Prospect Point Lighthouse, Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.