Top 5 Places to Go In British Columbia
- Caifu Magazine | by 5U Designer
- EN
| <h3>Top 5 Places to Go In British Columbia</h3> British Columbia is wildly popular as a travel destination as its immense natural beauty boasts dozens of spectacular places to explore. It offers diverse outdoor adventure in BC’s fabulous parks, lakes, rivers and rugged British Columbia. Below is a sampling of some of the best the province has to offer. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-91" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0892-web.jpg" alt="2-0892-web" width="972" height="358" /> <h3>Haida Gwaii – Mystical islands with a rich cultural history</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-92" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/6-0691-web.jpg" alt="6-0691-web" width="717" height="478" />Haida Gwaii, a series of islands at the most westerly point of Northern British Columbia, is a world class destination for the adventurous traveler, it is chosen as one of National Geographic‘s 20 Best Trips 2015. This remote and rugged archipelago is steeped in the ancient culture of the Haida First Nation. Here glorious old-growth rainforest is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine environment, both home to unique subspecies found only on these magical islands. Gwaii Haanas, a highly protected area overseen jointly by Parks Canada and the Haida Nation, is home to extraordinary natural scenery and cultural treasures, including ancient totems that are slowly decaying and being reclaimed by the land. The serenity and cultural richness of Haida Gwaii make it a one-of-a kind, unforgettable destination. Its ancient temperate rainforests, quaint villages, secluded inlets, and beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see will make your visit memorable. Don’t miss: . Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay . Gain some historical perspective at the Haida Heritage Centre . Watch for marine life as you kayak through Burnaby Narrows . Stroll along 100 km/60 mi of beaches at Naikoon Provincial Park <h3>Vancouver – Urban playground in the heart of nature</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-91" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0892-web.jpg" alt="2-0892-web" width="972" height="358" /> Vancouver was recognized as the top city in Canada in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2014 World’s Best Awards. It offers travelers both outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and the sophisticated amenities of a world-class city. While this sea-level port city is known for its temperate climate, the surrounding snow-covered slopes are perfect for winter sports and breathtaking views of the city twinkling below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon. Whether you’re strolling along the seawall, shopping on Robson Street or exploring historic Gastown, you can catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean or the rainforest-covered Coast Mountains from almost anywhere in the city – so close you can practically reach out and touch them. Rent a kayak and paddle scenic waterways, hike or ski in the North Shore Mountains, or just chill at the beach. At the end of the day, linger over a glass of BC wine, gaze out at the scenery over a locally inspired meal on a waterfront patio, and find inspiration for the next day’s adventure. Don’t miss: . Cycle the nine-km/six-mi Stanley Park seawall . Browse artisanal food vendors, fresh produce stalls and original artwork at the Granville Island Public Market . Get elevated on the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Grouse Mountain Skyride . Learn about BC’s First Nations at the Museum of Anthropology . Kick back in the sand at Kitsilano Beach <h3>Canadian Rockies – Awe inspiring peaks, impossibly blue lakes</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-93" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rockies-1024x790.jpg" alt="rockies-1024x790" width="1024" height="790" /> Four of British Columbia’s seven national parks are located here, and wildlife flourishes. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site along the BC/Alberta border, in part because of this spectacular beauty. The area is also globally significant because of the Burgess Shale fossil site, which shows in amazing detail what the Earth was like more than half a billion years ago. The Rockies evoke images of towering, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense evergreen forests. This jaw-dropping, Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that stays with you long after you’ve returned home – stretches the entire length of the province. Outdoor pursuits here are epic. The area is one of Canada’s pre-eminent destinations for hiking and mountain biking, as well as for whitewater rafting. Golf courses are the perfect combination of challenging and stunningly beautiful, and the region is internationally renowned for its abundant fishing locales. There are also opportunities to visit wonderfully restored heritage towns, thriving arts communities and gold rush boomtowns. Accommodations range from wilderness camping to luxurious stays in a natural setting. Don’t miss: . Gaze at stunning Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies . Hike in Yoho National Park for a couple of hours or a couple of days . Keep an eye out for wildlife along the highway . Immerse yourself in luxurious hot springs at Radium, Fairmont and Lussier . Experience the thrill of rafting the Kicking Horse River <h3>Great Bear Rainforest – Home of the elusive Spirit Bear</h3> <img class="size-full wp-image-94 aligncenter" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/s6-0047-web.jpg" alt="s6-0047-web" width="597" height="553" /> The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most pristine wilderness environments on earth, a vast tract of temperate rainforest stretching some 400 km/250 mi along the central and north coast of British Columbia. This section of BC’s Central Coast is remote and there are few roads within its boundaries, which contributes to a feeling of peace and serenity – of truly being in nature – for all who visit. This raw and powerful landscape exists as it did thousands of years ago. Here, ocean and land are bound together in a dynamic convergence of nature that has been called “the last magnificent stand of the great North American rainforest.” BC’s First Nations have called this stretch of coastline home for thousands of years, and their influence is strongly felt. It is also home to an abundance of marine life, from whales to dolphins to sea otters. Add the fact that it is the only place in the world to see the rare white Kermode (Spirit) bear, and a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest is an experience unlike any other. National Geographic hails the Great Bear Rainforest as one of its “Best Trips 2013.” Don’t miss: <ul> <li>Book a sailing tour in search of the magnificent spirit bear</li> <li>Hike to a waterfall in the Bella Coola Valley</li> <li>Explore the Big House and learn about First Nations culture in the coastal village of Klemtu</li> <li>Cruise the Inside Passage with BC Ferries</li> </ul> <h3>Whistler – Arguably the planet’s top all-season resort</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0634-web.jpg" alt="2-0634-web" width="715" height="480" /> The Whistler Blackcomb resort appears regularly in “Best of” lists from around the globe, winning for its incomparable skiing and boarding, as well as for its hotels, restaurants and golf courses. Whistler became even more world-renowned as the site of the alpine and Nordic venues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Skiers and boarders can explore more terrain here than anywhere else on the continent, with the summits of two legendary mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – connected by the spectacular PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. In summer, the pedestrian village is alive with hikers, mountain bikers, golfers and people watchers. Even the drive will make your heart skip a beat: access from Vancouver is via the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which follows a stunning coastline for much of its length. British Columbia is wildly popular as a travel destination as its immense natural beauty boasts dozens of spectacular places to explore. It offers diverse outdoor adventure in BC’s fabulous parks, lakes, rivers and rugged British Columbia. Below is a sampling of some of the best the province has to offer. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-91" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0892-web.jpg" alt="2-0892-web" width="972" height="358" /> <h3>Haida Gwaii – Mystical islands with a rich cultural history</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-92" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/6-0691-web.jpg" alt="6-0691-web" width="717" height="478" />Haida Gwaii, a series of islands at the most westerly point of Northern British Columbia, is a world class destination for the adventurous traveler, it is chosen as one of National Geographic‘s 20 Best Trips 2015. This remote and rugged archipelago is steeped in the ancient culture of the Haida First Nation. Here glorious old-growth rainforest is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine environment, both home to unique subspecies found only on these magical islands. Gwaii Haanas, a highly protected area overseen jointly by Parks Canada and the Haida Nation, is home to extraordinary natural scenery and cultural treasures, including ancient totems that are slowly decaying and being reclaimed by the land. The serenity and cultural richness of Haida Gwaii make it a one-of-a kind, unforgettable destination. Its ancient temperate rainforests, quaint villages, secluded inlets, and beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see will make your visit memorable. Don’t miss: . Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of SGang Gwaay . Gain some historical perspective at the Haida Heritage Centre . Watch for marine life as you kayak through Burnaby Narrows . Stroll along 100 km/60 mi of beaches at Naikoon Provincial Park <h3>Vancouver – Urban playground in the heart of nature</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-91" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0892-web.jpg" alt="2-0892-web" width="972" height="358" /> Vancouver was recognized as the top city in Canada in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2014 World’s Best Awards. It offers travelers both outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and the sophisticated amenities of a world-class city. While this sea-level port city is known for its temperate climate, the surrounding snow-covered slopes are perfect for winter sports and breathtaking views of the city twinkling below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon. Whether you’re strolling along the seawall, shopping on Robson Street or exploring historic Gastown, you can catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean or the rainforest-covered Coast Mountains from almost anywhere in the city – so close you can practically reach out and touch them. Rent a kayak and paddle scenic waterways, hike or ski in the North Shore Mountains, or just chill at the beach. At the end of the day, linger over a glass of BC wine, gaze out at the scenery over a locally inspired meal on a waterfront patio, and find inspiration for the next day’s adventure. Don’t miss: . Cycle the nine-km/six-mi Stanley Park seawall . Browse artisanal food vendors, fresh produce stalls and original artwork at the Granville Island Public Market . Get elevated on the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Grouse Mountain Skyride . Learn about BC’s First Nations at the Museum of Anthropology . Kick back in the sand at Kitsilano Beach <h3>Canadian Rockies – Awe inspiring peaks, impossibly blue lakes</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-93" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rockies-1024x790.jpg" alt="rockies-1024x790" width="1024" height="790" /> Four of British Columbia’s seven national parks are located here, and wildlife flourishes. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site along the BC/Alberta border, in part because of this spectacular beauty. The area is also globally significant because of the Burgess Shale fossil site, which shows in amazing detail what the Earth was like more than half a billion years ago. The Rockies evoke images of towering, snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense evergreen forests. This jaw-dropping, Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that stays with you long after you’ve returned home – stretches the entire length of the province. Outdoor pursuits here are epic. The area is one of Canada’s pre-eminent destinations for hiking and mountain biking, as well as for whitewater rafting. Golf courses are the perfect combination of challenging and stunningly beautiful, and the region is internationally renowned for its abundant fishing locales. There are also opportunities to visit wonderfully restored heritage towns, thriving arts communities and gold rush boomtowns. Accommodations range from wilderness camping to luxurious stays in a natural setting. Don’t miss: . Gaze at stunning Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies . Hike in Yoho National Park for a couple of hours or a couple of days . Keep an eye out for wildlife along the highway . Immerse yourself in luxurious hot springs at Radium, Fairmont and Lussier . Experience the thrill of rafting the Kicking Horse River <h3>Great Bear Rainforest – Home of the elusive Spirit Bear</h3> <img class="size-full wp-image-94 aligncenter" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/s6-0047-web.jpg" alt="s6-0047-web" width="597" height="553" /> The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most pristine wilderness environments on earth, a vast tract of temperate rainforest stretching some 400 km/250 mi along the central and north coast of British Columbia. This section of BC’s Central Coast is remote and there are few roads within its boundaries, which contributes to a feeling of peace and serenity – of truly being in nature – for all who visit. This raw and powerful landscape exists as it did thousands of years ago. Here, ocean and land are bound together in a dynamic convergence of nature that has been called “the last magnificent stand of the great North American rainforest.” BC’s First Nations have called this stretch of coastline home for thousands of years, and their influence is strongly felt. It is also home to an abundance of marine life, from whales to dolphins to sea otters. Add the fact that it is the only place in the world to see the rare white Kermode (Spirit) bear, and a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest is an experience unlike any other. National Geographic hails the Great Bear Rainforest as one of its “Best Trips 2013.” Don’t miss: <ul> <li>Book a sailing tour in search of the magnificent spirit bear</li> <li>Hike to a waterfall in the Bella Coola Valley</li> <li>Explore the Big House and learn about First Nations culture in the coastal village of Klemtu</li> <li>Cruise the Inside Passage with BC Ferries</li> </ul> <h3>Whistler – Arguably the planet’s top all-season resort</h3> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90" src="http://caifumagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2-0634-web.jpg" alt="2-0634-web" width="715" height="480" /> The Whistler Blackcomb resort appears regularly in “Best of” lists from around the globe, winning for its incomparable skiing and boarding, as well as for its hotels, restaurants and golf courses. Whistler became even more world-renowned as the site of the alpine and Nordic venues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Skiers and boarders can explore more terrain here than anywhere else on the continent, with the summits of two legendary mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – connected by the spectacular PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. In summer, the pedestrian village is alive with hikers, mountain bikers, golfers and people watchers. Even the drive will make your heart skip a beat: access from Vancouver is via the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which follows a stunning coastline for much of its length |
