Discover Vancouver

UBC Botanical Garden

Established in 1916, this is the oldest university botanical garden in Canada. Walk along the Main Mall, down to the rose garden, with its beautiful views across the Strait of Georgia, or go to the Asian Centre and the beautiful Japanese Nitobe Gardens, an authentic Japanese "Tea and Stroll" Garden. This has been called Canada's most fascinating garden, located high on the cliffs overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Seventy rambling acres are planted with more than 10,000 different trees, shrubs and flowers, some growing largely as nature intended, others more cultivated and formal. A true botanical garden, it is designed primarily for education and research, with emphasis on its diverse collections and seasonal displays.

The campus is adjacent to big (763 hectares), attractive and undeveloped Pacific Spirit Regional Park, and it's possible to climb down to the beach. (Caution! Wreck Beach is clothing optional.) There are 50 kilometres of walking/hiking trails in the park, 35 km of equestrian trails and another 35 km for cyclists.