Story Starters on Richmond
Tourism Richmond is pleased to provide you with some excellent background and specific story ideas. Please contact us if you have any questions or if we can help you with your story. We also have images and b-roll available for download from our Digital Asset Management System (DAMS).
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Dunn
Director of Communications
Dir: 604-821-5481
Email: mdunn@tourismrichmond.com
About Richmond
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. Home to the Vancouver International Airport and the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond is next door to Vancouver and in close proximity to Whistler and Victoria. This is a city of contrasts and where the Far East meets the West Coast. Voted one of the most livable communities, visitors enjoy an urban setting with a flourishing Asian culture, local farms, numerous National Historic Sites surrounded by seaside trails and some of the best West Coast sunsets.
Here are our Richmond Story Starters:
Richmond Olympic Celebration Site – O Zone
The O Zone will be Richmond’s official celebration site during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and a hub of excitement, spectacle and discovery. Ice Gate, a 100-foot long, 14-foot high ice art installation created by West Coast artist Gordon Halloran sets the stage. Expected to attract 15,000 visitors daily, the O Zone will feature international headliners and local talents providing live entertainment on the main stage, open-air skating on the Ice Zone (which boast a high-tech lighting system), interactive public art, and large screens with live feeds of the Games competitions and ceremonies. And at the heart of the O Zone, Holland Heineken House the famed Dutch Nation House and the premier entertainment and hospitality venue, will feature great dining, main hall, and a nightly Dutch DJs. Safe, family-friendly and free, the O Zone will not only be the place to soak up the festive spirit for 17 days during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, but it is destined to become a second home for speed skating nations. And here's something else to celebrate: the new Canada Line, rapid transit system, can whisk fans between Vancouver and Richmond in minutes and get everyone within walking distance to the O Zone.
Canada Line Opening Connects Richmond to the World
There’s more to Richmond than most people realize, and the newly opened Canada Line provides that vital link between downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver International Airport, and a growing destination that offers an abundance of hotels, shops, restaurants, attractions and festivals. Tourism Richmond expects to see an increase in the number of day trippers, staycations and overnight stays in Richmond area hotels as the city becomes much more accessible to locals and visitors. The new rapid transit service to Richmond is a key infrastructure component to support tourism in general as well as large-scale events such as the upcoming 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and future meetings and events. The increased accessibility will invite more locals and visitors to the city resulting in economic stimulus to every sector of the tourism industry from hotels and restaurants, to shops and attractions. The Canada Line will be a key service connecting everyone between Olympic events happening in Vancouver and Richmond.
The Golden Village
The Golden Village is a bustling commercial district in the heart of Richmond which is now easily accessible from the new Aberdeen and Lansdowne Canada Line Stations. Heralded as a Mecca for all things Asian; the Golden Village beckons with its Hong-Kong inspired malls, authentic delicious foods and cultural attractions. The Village is a modern mix of traditional Asian attractions and contemporary western influences including some of the best Asian restaurants and shopping in the Lower Mainland. Within a four-block radius, there are more than 300 shops and services including Asian specialty grocery stores, jewelry stores, art galleries and the latest designer fashions from Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taipei.
Authentic Far East Cuisine
Take your taste buds on an international journey at one of the over 375 Asian restaurants in Richmond. Traditionally trained chefs from Asia create authentic dim sum dumplings and regional cuisine with a West Coast twist using fresh local ingredients. Many of the restaurants are in the heart of the Golden Village on Alexandra or “Food Street” and include authentic Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine. A must while in Richmond is a visit to the Summer Night Market which is a free, culturally diverse and exciting evening event for all ages open weekends May to October. Over 250 vendors showcase unique and quirky merchandise, delicious multicultural street-cuisines and exotic drinks while onstage multicultural performances entertain all www.summernightmarket.com. If you missed going to the Beijing Games in 2008 or want to revisit the culinary flavours of the Far East, you can again in Richmond. Chinese New Year Celebrations featuring menus showcasing traditional Chinese specialty dishes and lion dances to entertain begins in Richmond on February 14th in the midst of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
What luck! Chinese New Year
You are in luck! In the Chinese culture, mythical dragons are believed to bring good luck to people and this year, for the first time, two fantastically long dragons – 75 metres (246 feet) and 150 metres (492 feet) – are coming to Richmond as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. The Year of the Tiger officially begins February 14 and the Richmond community is busy gearing up. Homes and stores are festooned with red and gold decorations. Residents are shopping for new clothes, especially in the colour red as it is the symbol of joy, virtue, truth and sincerity. Shops are filling with exotic foods, crepe paper dragons and lions and red paper envelopes that will be filled with crisp cash to be given to children by their elders as a wish for prosperity.
Beginning New Year’s Eve February 13, Chinese restaurants will host large groups of family and friends who will celebrate this new beginning together. On New Year’s Day, crowds of people will go to the local Buddhist temples to pay respects and to the malls to enjoy special events.To witness the most energetic and colourful spectacles of Chinese New Year, follow the sound of pounding drums and crashing cymbals to the sites of dragon and lion dances. Carried out in large public spaces, troupes of performers carry an elaborately adorned cloth serpentine body of a dragon or lion on poles, jumping and dipping and shaking the head of the creatures dramatically to chase away bad spirits.
You are in for a special treat on February 14 when two extra-long dragons perform a rarely-seen-in-the-West double dragon dance in select locations around Richmond, including the O Zone celebration site. Local malls are also a great place to see the dances and to connect with this annual celebration. Yaohan, Parker Place and Aberdeen Centre all fill with special booths and happenings, the most elaborate being Aberdeen’s annual Flower and Gift Fair that begins on February 10 and culminates with golden dragon and lion dances on February 14.. If you are planning to dine in a Chinese restaurant on New Year’s Eve or Day, call ahead for a reservation as many restaurants offer two seatings and set menus on these busy nights.
Celebrating Chinese New Year in such a multicultural community as Richmond is an opportunity not to be missed. Dive in to the spirit of the celebration by greeting people you meet with the traditional New Year’s salutation that loosely translates “congratulations and be prosperous.” Gung Hei Fat Choi!
East Meets West in Richmond’s “Shop till You Drop” Shopping Mecca
Easily connecting shopaholics with five great East meets West shopping malls are the three new Canada Line Stations, Aberdeen and Lansdowne and Brighouse. For the latest in Asian fashions, home décor, beauty, accessories and Asian specialty sweets and dishes visit the three Asian malls Aberdeen Centre, Yaohan Centre, and Parker Place. This is where you can pick up a $6000 toilet, a Ferrari or a $2 Japanese trinket. For the adventurous at heart, your shopping experience can include a foot massage, tea ceremony or a visit to the food court for authentic traditional delicacies. Richmond Centre and Lansdowne Centre offer all the traditional North American stores as well as the same great fashion shops you’ll find on Robson Street in Vancouver.
On The Trails of Temples
Be it a Buddhist temple or a Sikh Gurdwara, discover the textures of Richmond’s ethnic diversity through its range of exotic temples. Each is a showcase of architecture, craftsmanship and customs where visitors can learn Buddhist chants, meditate, participate in a traditional tea ceremony or simply enjoy the riches of a different culture. Richmond is home to over 60 Temples, Mosques, Churches and Chapels. Come rain or shine, Richmond’s trail of temples promises an insight into another world and an afternoon pilgrimage to remember.
Lulu Island Winery Blossoms with East Meets West Flair
During a visit here in 1992 from Taiwan, Alison and John Chang fell in love with Richmond’s fertile land and ethnically diverse culture. Starting a winery in Richmond was a natural progression for John who was already a wine enthusiast, and had learned the art of winemaking from his grandmother. In 2001, Blossom Winery opened its doors and palates to grape, blueberry, cranberry and raspberry wine, uniquely made from the fruit and its skin for full flavour. The local soil provides them with high quality blueberries and cranberries, while raspberries and grapes are found in nearby Abbotsford and the Okanagan. The winery combines traditional Chinese winemaking methods with modern Western technology. In July 2009, Lulu Island Winery opened (name change from Blossom Winery) its 15-acre site including a 22,000-square-foot facility and three-year-old grape fields and now offers both Lulu and Blossom wines. Alison Lu and her team proudly provide tours and tastings.
Sanduz Does Know Wines
Dave and Neeta Sandu have been farming blueberries and cranberries for years and in an attempt to diversify, they decided to turn their passion for wine into business. In 2006, this family-owned operation opened Sanduz Estate Wines, a winery and tasting room that maximized the use and flavour of their berry crops. Sanduz Wines are the perfect way to savour the freshness of summer fruits throughout the year. In addition to the blueberry and cranberry varieties, the winery imports its grapes from Oliver, BC. To extend the range of wine products available, all other fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, rhubarb, and currants are brought in from the Okanagan region of BC. Holding bragging rights to BC's largest collection of fruit wines, a must-try is their truly unique blueberry and cranberry varieties.
A Hidden Gem - Charming Steveston Village
Cradled in a picturesque corner of Richmond where the Fraser River and the Pacific meet, Steveston is 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. Today, it’s a thriving home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in Canada and two National Historic Sites, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Shipyards. Stroll Fisherman’s Wharf and watch as locals barter for the catch of the day including fresh salmon, crab, halibut and shrimp. Go on a whale-watching adventure, nature or historic tour with professional naturalists from April to October to see Killer Whales, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, seals and other wildlife. Favorite pastimes include dropping a line from one of Richmond's public fishing piers, shopping at the unique boutiques sprinkled throughout the village or savouring the temptations at the dock side restaurants. The Steveston Farmers and Artisans Market, open Sundays biweekly from May to October, has over 50 vendors selling fresh local produce, healthy foods, and distinctive works of art. This family-friendly neighbourhood filled with a casual atmosphere, so much to do and a welcoming attitude, waits.
Outdoor Playground
With over 90 parks and greens paces, Richmond offers a plethora of leisure activities and holds the bragging rights as one of the healthiest cities. Whether it’s a place to relax, or somewhere to indulge in a little bird watching, cycling or even picnicking, you’re sure to find a little piece of heaven. The 80 km of connecting dyke trails virtually encircle Richmond and are used by walkers and cyclists to access heritage sites, dykes and parks. The best way to explore Richmond's trail system is to pick up a map at Tourism Richmond's Visitor Centre. Put on your walking shoes, rent a bike and head to the South Dyke for a scenic tour of Steveston Village, London Heritage Farm and Finn Slough. From there, take binoculars and check the migratory birds along the 10km West Dyke Trail. On Sea Island visit Iona Beach Regional Park and enjoy the marsh, grassland and beach habitats which attract a wide range rare and vagrant bird species. All the trails are relatively flat, so travellers of all ages and abilities can experience these beautiful natural environments. Minoru Park, accessible from Brighouse Station, is home to the largest assortment of recreational facilities in the City. With nearly 65 acres of playing fields and trails, Minoru Park offers swimming pools, tennis courts, sports arenas and a fitness complex and is home to Minoru Lake, the beautiful Pierrefond Gardens, the Gateway Theatre and the historic Minoru Chapel.
Multi-generational fun in Richmond
Looking for a fun, family-friendly activity for the weekend? Head to southeast Richmond and find a multi-faceted area called Riverport. This area encompasses a variety of opportunities for its visitors. It offers movie theatres, an ice centre, Watermania wave-pool, Zone Bowling Centre, Spaghetti Factory and other food and beverage outlets. So, pack the family into the car and head to Riverport.
Sustainable Richmond
Prior to settlement, Richmond was a place of marshes, blueberries and fishers. The Fraser River to its south is still home to a healthy population of sturgeon, fish that outlived the dinosaurs, while to the east the marshlands attract millions of migrating waterfowl each year. Today, this island community, blending pockets of farmland and natural landscape with robust urban development, is finding ways to grow sustainably. Almost half of Richmond’s total area remains as farmland, parkland, and natural areas.
The Richmond Olympic Oval, home of speed skating for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, isn’t just a showcase for sports; it’s also a model for cutting-edge green design. The multi-purpose waterfront facility upholds rigorous standards for green building development with its unique wooden roof built from BC lumber. Innovative features include heat recapture and recirculation as a bi-product of ice making, storm water collection for a landscaped pond and toilet flushing, and one million board feet of salvaged pine beetle-killed wood from BC forests.
The community gardens in Terra Nova Rural Park are a heritage park in the making, with homesteads, trails and boardwalks and a farm centre. The Terra Nova Schoolyard Project, the brainchild of Chef Ian Lai, connects Richmond elementary and high school students with the earth, the community around them and agriculture at large. Students learn to grow, monitor, harvest and eat nutritiously under his tutelage.