Vancouver Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

In the busy and fast-paced urban life, it is a blessing to find a corner where one can calm one's mind. The VanDusen Botanical Garden, located in downtown Vancouver, Canada, is a place where people can slow down and communicate with nature. I visited the botanical garden on a sunny spring day. As you enter the park, what catches your eye is vast expanses of green and colorful blooming flowers, as if you have entered a fairy tale world. The VanDusen Botanical Gardens covers 55 acres and features more than 7,500 species of plants from around the world. The park is divided into different theme areas according to regional and climatic characteristics, such as the Himalayas, South African flower area, Japanese garden, Canadian native plant area, etc. Each area is like a three-dimensional plant encyclopedia. What I particularly like is the area that imitates the ecology of the Himalayas, where many alpine plants and rare flowers are planted, which is completely different from what I usually see in the city. Walking slowly along the winding path, you can feel the designer's careful layout. There are surprises at every corner, making you feel like traveling through different countries. One of the most attractive landmarks in the park is the Elizabethan hedge maze, which is made up of 3,000 pyramidal cedars. Although I am an adult, the moment I walked into the maze, I couldn't help but feel childish and started looking for the exit seriously. This is not only a fun experience, but also a small adventure with yourself. In addition to the plant displays, there are five natural lakes in the park. The weeping willows and reflections by the lake form a series of poetic landscape paintings. At that time, there was an old man sitting on a bench by the lake reading a book, with the sunlight shining on him. The scene was so quiet that people couldn't bear to disturb him. I found a patch of grass and sat down, quietly listening to the wind and the birds singing. The feeling of being one with nature is a healing feeling that cannot be replaced by any music or fragrance. Van Dusen Botanical Garden is beautiful in all four seasons, each with its own unique features. In spring, the cherry blossoms in the park are in full bloom, and the pale pink petals cover the paths, making it a paradise for many photography enthusiasts. The park also holds a cherry blossom festival, with Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy experience and kimono trying on, full of oriental style. Summer is the season when flowers bloom, suitable for picnics and outdoor sketching. In autumn, the maple leaves turn from yellow to red, and their reflections on the lake are breathtakingly beautiful. In winter, the park hosts the famous "Festival of Lights", where hundreds of thousands of colorful lights light up the entire garden, creating a dreamy winter wonderland that is especially suitable for families or couples. The park's visitor center is also worth mentioning. Completed in 2011, the green building’s form is inspired by orchid leaves and its design blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. The center has an information exhibition area, a cafe, a restaurant and a gift shop. That day I enjoyed a light salad and hot soup in the restaurant. Most of the ingredients were directly delivered from local organic farms. They were healthy, delicious and satisfying. It is worth mentioning that the park also attaches great importance to sustainable management and environmental protection concepts. The overall maintenance is clean and tidy, and the volunteers and staff are very friendly and willing to provide explanations and assistance at any time. Every visitor behaves very self-disciplined in the park, naturally maintaining an appropriate distance and a quiet atmosphere from each other, making the entire space full of respect and tranquility. For me, VanDusen Botanical Garden is not just a place to appreciate flowers, plants and trees, but more like a baptism of the soul. Surrounded by greenery, you can feel the power of nature and the diversity of life. This is not only a paradise for plant lovers, but also an ideal place for anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle and find tranquility and inspiration. When I left the park, my heart was filled with gratitude. I am grateful that this urban oasis allowed me to reconnect with nature. I am also grateful that I chose to slow down during my journey and appreciate the excitement brought by each plant and each ray of light and shadow. If I have the opportunity to visit again in the future, I will choose to come here in different seasons, because I know that every time I visit, Van Dusen Botanical Garden will greet me gently with a different look.