Travel Tips

At the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens I couldn't beleive how relaxed this goose was.

In my home town area it would be shot but in the middle of downtown Vancouver I am sure I could have pet this bird. He was very relaxed, calm and took great pictures!!

Here is a street monument in Chinatown, Vancouver.

http://www.cccvan.com/

Another street scene in Chinatown, Vancouver.

Here is another very good external link of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens.

This web site gives you a very good virtual tour and interpretation of the gardens.

Here I am with the Doctor himself. Here is a bit of history on the "Father of Modern China".

Known as the "Father of Modern China," Dr. Sun Yat Sen was an important figure in the development of the Republic of China. He was internationally recognized by members of all political affiliations for his central role in the history of modern China. As the first non-gentry leader of a political movement, he sought to bring democracy to his country during the early years of the 20th century.

His connection with Vancouver is significant since he visited on three separate occasions on fundraising missions to support the revolution which ultimately overturned the Manchu Dynasty. Born into a peasant family in the Cuiheng Village, Xiangshan County(now Zhongshan City) in Guangdong Province on November 12, 1866, he was educated in Hawaii where he was sent to live with an elder brother and therefore exposed to Western thought at an early age. Although he became a doctor, he left his medical career in order to devote himself to the cause of democracy. As China's first professional revolutionary, he traveled around the world to promote the pro-democracy movement and raise funds for his work.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is credited with leading the 1911 revolution that finally overthrew the Qing dynasty. He became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912, but after only a few short months in office he resigned as President and devoted his efforts to the economic development of China. A struggle and battle which he endured for the rest of his life.

Since his death in 1925, Dr. Sun Yat Sen's persona has evolved into a heroic symbol of modern China. He is canonized as Kuo Fu, the Father of the Country.

Source: http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

High upon a pile of weathered rocks, designed to emulate a mountain, sits an elegant pavilion or 'ting' representing man in his natural setting. It forms the focal point in the Garden and is an integral part of the Gardens landscape.

This is one of the best spots within the garden to get a picture. Go for it!!

A classical garden is not complete without a ting apparently. The task of building the false mountain was spectacular. The Chinese artisans assembled the many eroded limestone pieces into standing-rock sculptures in specific locations. The 'mountain' took six months to complete.

In order to build the ting, the team decided to return to traditional methods: bamboo and manual labour were used for horizontal transport, while tripod and chain were used to lift the stones. No modern mechanized cranes or heavy equipment were used.

There is lots of water throughout the gardens and these lillies were very nice, you see lots of birds in these areas. This is where the goose was in my first picture of this travelogue.