Recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vancouver has a lot to offer its visitors, particularly to those who are photographically inclined. Bordered by majestic coastal mountains, sandy beaches and gorgeous suburbs, this Canadian city is a smorgasbord of epic compositions and scenery for photographers.

So, if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, be sure to grab your camera and visit some of Vancouver’s best photo locations.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Credits: @stephshortstak on Instagram

Established in 1986 by fifty-three master craftsmen from China and 950 crates of traditional material, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver was named as the World’s Top City Garden by National Geographic.  Constructed by using 14th-century methods ( no glue, screws or power tools were used), it is the first classical Chinese Garden in all of Canada.

Credits: @mis_french on Instagram

Featuring beautiful pavilions with covered walkways, a jade green pond filled with colourful koi fish and an impressive collection of 150-year old miniature trees and tai hu rock imported straight from China, the garden is a great spot to capture the beauty of an oasis in the middle of the city.

Fun Alley

Credits: @fun_alley on Instagram

When you think about beautiful or interesting places, alleyways usually don’t make it onto the list. And why would they? A lot of alleyways are usually dark, dingy and downright frightening. But that doesn’t seem to be the case for the Fabulous Fun Alley near Lonsdale Quay (also known as the most colourful alley in North Vancouver).

Credits: @fun_alley on Instagram

Transformed by splashes of bright reds, blues, pinks, greens and purples all over the walls and floor, the art installation by artist Lukas Kasper has turned the once dark and dank alley into one of the most popular Instagram-able places in the Lonsdale area. 

According to the artist, the message he wanted to project with his artwork was “to bring people together through a display of vibrant colours”.

English Bay Beach

Credits: @willtherelentless on Instagram

Also referred to as the First Beach, English Bay Beach is the most populated beach area in downtown Vancouver. Located along Beach Ave, near the city’s West End residential neighbourhood (between Gilford St and Bidwell St), you can often see hundreds of small pleasure boats dotting the water as well as huge freighters waiting at anchor to load cargoes at Vancouver’s port. 

Fun fact: English Bay Beach was also home to Vancouver’s first official lifeguard, the legendary Joe Fortes, who taught hundreds of the city’s early residents how to swim, and patrolled the beach from his cabin on its shore

Science World at Telus World of Science

Credits: @jasonkuma on Instagram

Science World at Telus World of Science is a science centre run by a non-profit organization called Science World. Located at the end of False Creek, it features a Buckminster Fuller-inspired geodesic dome (designed by Bruno Freschi) as well as several interactive indoor and outdoor displays like the Ken Spencer Science Park, Our World: BMO Sustainability Gallery, BodyWorks, Tinkering Space: The WorkSafeBC Gallery and much more!

Lighthouse Park

Credits: @jaxsnyman on Instagram

Founded in 1792, the Lighthouse Park spans over approximately 75 hectares of virgin rainforests and is open to visitors all year round.  It’s also a very popular tourist destination for people who enjoy open-air activities such as hiking, picnics and of course, nature photography. 

Credits: @chandrangg on Instagram

Featuring three main viewpoints (The West Beach, Juniper Point and Eagle Point), shutterbugs will have their pick of interesting scenes to capture on camera. The viewpoint at the West Beach, in particular, is especially popular as it is the one that can afford you with the best view of the famous lighthouse as well as the Strait of Georgia.

Fun Fact: The actual lighthouse (which is still fully functional) is located at the National Historic Site of Point Atkinson and has been in operations since the 1870s and is one of the most photographed and recognizable landmarks in West Vancouver.

And that concludes our Photo Guide on some of the interesting places that you can explore in Vancouver, Canada. Be sure to add them on your list when you go on your next photography adventure. If you’ve only just returned from vacation, why not browse through the Pixajoy website and turn your travel memories into gorgeous photo books and keepsakes!