Culture & Arts

Welcome to Richmond, BC! Nestled where the Pacific Ocean and the mighty Fraser River meet is Richmond, BC, a thriving multicultural destination city offering a growing range of cultural, heritage, culinary and leisure experiences. Upon arrival in Richmond, check into one of our 26 brand-name hotels, located a 10-minute drive or less from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). From four-star luxury to affordable family lodgings, you’ll find what you need in Richmond with some 4,600 guest rooms available.

Head out to sample some of Richmond’s famous dining. Culinary temptations are everywhere, ranging from Asian delicacies to traditional Western dishes. Feast your eyes on curry dishes or ready-to-eat sushi. Order hearty bowls of congee, stir fried vegetables, dim sum, mango pudding or - why not order a pizza?  You can choose from our 375-plus Asian restaurants – many clustered in the Golden Village off No. 3 Road – or the fresh-caught seafood in oceanside Steveston. The options are endless.
 

Drive along No. 5 Road, the “Highway to Heaven,” and admire shrines of all faiths. Don’t miss the International Buddhist Temple on Steveston Highway and the Thrangu Monastery off No. 5 Road. Widely regarded as the most exquisite example of traditional Tibetan architecture in Canada, the Thrangu Monastery is in many ways like a work of art taken straight out of Tibetan history. Check out the three big Asian-themed shopping malls in the Golden Village. Lunch here on authentic dim sum, sushi, Thai curry, or other Asian delicacies.

Head down to Steveston - a charming, scenic village worth talking about. Established in the early 1800’s during the fishing cannery boom, the now Historic Fishing Village of Steveston is a lively destination for West Coast shopping, dining and exploring.  Following that visit nearby London Heritage Farm, the Steveston Museum, and the Japanese Garden with bonsai bushes at the Steveston Community Centre. These are just a sample of the beautiful sites within the Steveston area.

Change gears, and admire Richmond’s public art. Supported by the City of Richmond, The Richmond Public Art Program was endorsed by City Council on June 23, 1997. It was again updated July 27, 2010. Now boasts more than seventy public art pieces. Many of the 70-plus pieces are clustered near Richmond City Centre. Snap some photos for lasting memories and enjoy the walk at your own pace. These beautiful pieces of art are a prime example of the significance of Culture and Arts in Richmond.
 

Savour a Western or Asian dinner at a City Centre restaurant. Following dinner, conclude in Minoru Park, an aptly historic setting: it began as a horse-racing track in 1909, named for King Edward VII’s favourite thoroughbred, and a year later was the site of the first-ever Canadian airplane flight west of Winnipeg. Today, Minoru Park is home to the Richmond Cultural Centre, an aquatic centre, ice rinks sports fields and, of course, the lovely Minoru Chapel amid the formal flowerbeds. Make sure to take advantage of the art and museum exhibitions at the Richmond Cultural Centre, or a live performance at the Gateway Theatre.

Have a delicious breakfast and then check out of your Richmond hotel. Before heading out of town, we encourage you to explore more of Richmond, whether it’s our three new wineries or the 80 km (50 miles) of bike routes and dyke trails. Or simply enjoy a safe trip to your final destination. This concludes your Richmond Culture Tour.