Steveston & Richmond
A flavor of Hong Kong in B.C.

Getting There:
Coming from the north: Take first exit off the Oak Street Bridge (Hwy 99) and follow signs to No.3 Road.
Coming from the south: Take first exit (Steveston Hwy) after the George Massey tunnel. Turn left and follow signs to Steveston (a few miles down the road).

You don’t get more Waterside than this. On its north side, Richmond is bounded by the North Arm of the mighty Fraser River while on the south, it’s the South Arm. To the west is the Strait of Georgia. This is not the place for aquaphobics. Richmond occupies two large islands, Lulu and Sea, and 15 smaller islands

Rapidly growing, Richmond is home to 180,000 people. International in feel, 60 percent of the population is Asian and south Asian in background. Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and other regional cuisines and stores abound. Shopping and dining on No. 3 Road is an absolute standout. Check out Yaohan Center for a cultural experience you’ll never forget. Called the Golden Village, the area evokes the bustle of Hong Kong.

Recreation is priority for residents with over 90 parks and a well-established trail and dike system. All this fitness stuff must be working. According to Statistics Canada, residents of Richmond have the greatest life expectancy in Canada at 83.4 years, and the lowest obesity and smoking rates as well.

A huge summertime draw is the Richmond Night Market. Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night (as well as statutory holidays), the venue offers entertainment, food and incredible bargains, especially on electronic devices. The market is located on the river at 12631 Vulcan Way and is open 7 p.m.- midnight on Friday and Saturday, til 11 p.m. on Sunday and statutory holidays. (www.richmondnightmarket.com)

Also check out the Slugfest on June 3, with fun and games for slugs and their people, including a slug beauty pageant, a heavy-weight slug contest, as well as contests for largest and smallest followed by a grand finale slug race at Richmond Nature Park. Call 604/718-6188 or visit www.richmond.ca.

River Rock Casino is the largest casino in Western Canada. Situated on the banks of the Fraser, it has 80 gaming tables, 1,000 slot machines and restaurants and nightspots. Bring money - some of the table stakes will make you gasp. They typically have a strong lineup of entertainers scheduled for their amphitheater. Kenny G is scheduled for this summer, for starters.

With an average elevation of just over three feet (one meter), the city is a great place for walkers, runners and bikers of all ages.

Beginning June 16, the city presents Concerts on the Dock at Britannia Shipyards. Everyone will enjoy maritime exhibits, live entertainment, food, crafts and hands-on demonstrations. Admission is free.

Although the date has not been set at time of going to press, the Richmond Dragon Boat Festival is always a highlight of the summer. Keep your eyes open for it.

Now in its second year, the Fraser River Art Festival has over 40 artists and artisans showing their work along with demonstrations on origami, painting, photography and wood carving. It’s held at London Heritage Farm 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 15.

The historic village of Steveston is located on the southern edge of Richmond on the banks of the south arm of the Fraser River. Over 600 fishing boats, Canada’s largest fishing fleet, ply the river to the ocean returning with catches that visitors can buy right off the dock. Shrimp, halibut and salmon are the main choices offered.

Visitors can walk along the boardwalk, check out the shops and stop for fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants on the streets lining the river. Steveston is also the jumping off spot for whale watching boats. Tours leave frequently going down river past sea lions out to the Strait of Georgia where the orcas, seals and eagles are found.

Once a hub of thriving canneries, the last one closed in the 1990s. Still, visitors may explore the Gulf of Georgia Cannery national historic site, the Steveston Museum and Britannia Heritage Shipyard. Walk out to Garry Point, the main park in Steveston.

On Canada Day, July 1, Steveston holds its 1st Annual Steveston Salmon Festival Day. A parade starting at 10 a.m. at Garry Point and winds its way into Steveston. Its Salmon BBQ is justifiably famous and it includes rides for the kids, entertainment and much more. Prepare to spend the whole day.

Located on Steveston Highway, a few miles from the village is the huge Riverport entertainment complex. A multi-plex, water park, bowling alley and Spaghetti Factory will keep everyone in the family entertained for hours.

Don’t miss:
Ride or walk the Iona Island jetty stretching 2.5 miles out into the Strait of Georgia