Vancouver
When you think of neon lights, Vancouver probably isn't the first city that comes to mind. Yet, in the 1950s Vancouver boasted 18,000 neon signs – that was one for every 19 residents. The city was so bright that pilots considered it to be the most illuminated city in North America. Although many neon lights have dimmed since the 1950s, Vancouver continues to shine – securing the most liveable city title according to the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2009. It's easy to see why – pristine ski slopes, cosmopolitan culture and friendly folk make it an attractive city to do some serious living in.
The Basics information
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Population: 2,116,000
Languages: French, English
Time zone: -8 Pacific Time
Daylight savings: Start second Sunday in March end first Sunday in November
Country code: +1
Area codes: 604, 778
Electricity voltage: 110-120V
Electricity hz: 60Hz
Electrical plugs: American-style plug with two parallel flat blades above a circular grounding pin, Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Mobile network: GSM
Embassy/Consulate：
- Embassy of Canada
Add.：No. 19, Dong Zhi Men Wai Da Jie, Chao Yang District
Postal/Zip Code：100600
Tel：+86(10) 5139-4000
Fax：+86(10) 5139-4449
District：The People's Republic of China; The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia; Other passport holders from other Countries and Territories whose citizens require visas in order to enter Canada and who have been legally admitted to China.
- Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong
Add.：12th to 14th Floor, One Exchange Square Central, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
Tel.: (852) 3719 4700
Fax: (852) 2810-6736
District：The People's Republic of China; Hong Kong and Macao (applicants must be able to attend an interview at the office in Hong Kong if required.)
- Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai
Add.：Suite 604, Shanghai Center, 1376 Nanjing Xi Rd., Shanghai
Postal/Zip Code：100600
Tel：021-32792800
Fax：021-32792801
District：Shanghai municipality； Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces.（the Shanghai office ONLY accepts applications submitted IN PERSON; if you wish to apply by mail please submit your application to the Embassy of Canada in Beijing or the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong.）
Vancouver is milder than other parts of Canada. The temperature hovers around 0°C in winter (December to February) while in summer (July to August) the average is 20-25 °C
There's a multitude of transport options in Vancouver: SkyTrain light-rail, SeaBus ferries, bus, taxis and hire car.
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in North America. It is circled by sea on three sides and has short drive distance from North Shore Mountains. Thecity enjoys picturesque sights. It is quite suitable for pedestrian and cyclists to move around the popular seashore promenade, which is accessible to beach, park, pier, water taxi pickup station and a few fashionable blocks. Cyclists may drive on clearly marked bicycle routes far away from the downtown. The world-class public transport system in Vancouver includes SkyTrain light rail, West Coast Express (regular train), SeaBus ferries and wide bus service.
Airplane:
Two international airports and several seaplane companies are available for service in the city.
Drive:
There are a plenty of main roads connected to and from Vancouver.
Ferry:
Vancouver has the most complicated ferry service system in the world.
Train:
VIA Rail, Amtrak A and two excursion trains stop in Vancouver.
Bus:
A number of scheduled buses at Vancouver run to or from other areas of British Columbia, Canada and USA.
Inter-city transport:
Translink Traffic Company offer inter-city transportation service by buses, SkyTrain light rail and SeaBus for tourists and local residents.
Vancouver International Airport
Location
Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver via car or the Canada Line (part of the SkyTrain rapid transit system), and is the gateway to flights from around the world.
Arriving at YVR
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Arrive at YVR
Follow signs to Baggage Claim.
Proceed down elevator, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, to Canada Border Services & Immigration area. -
Canada Border Services & Immigration
Most passengers - Canadian residents and visitors - will proceed to passport inspection.
New immigrants, students or workers with visas should follow the sign to Immigration
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms. -
Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corrsponding to your flight.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claim area.
Hand your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer on your way out -
International Reception Lounge
Proceed out of baggage claim area with your checked baggage.
All passengers enter the International Reception Lounge area.
You may choose to access services in this area including tourism information and transportation or choose to proceed through the exit to the public greeting area. - Public Greeting Area and Exit
Maps
Departing from YVR
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Check-in
Follow signs to International Terminal, International Departures Level 3
If you haven't already checked-in online or at one of YVR's off-site check-in locations, proceed to your airline's designated check-in counters or kiosks. -
Baggage Check-in
If you aren't already at your airline's check-in area, report there and follow their procedures for checking and dropping off your baggage. -
Security Checkpoint
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate – D – to find the security checkpoint. -
Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.
Connecting through YVR
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Arrive at YVR
Follow Canada Arrivals signs to Canada Border Services & Immigration.
Proceed down elevators, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, Canada Border Services. -
Canada Border Services & Immigration
Most passengers – Canadian residents and visitors - will proceed to passport inspection.
New immigrants, students or workers with visas should follow the sign to Immigration.
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks. -
Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corresponding to your flight.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claims area.
。 Hand your customs declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer.Option 1: For passengers arriving between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local-time. (Times are subject to change.)
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Proceed to China Connections
Follow the sign that states China Connections
Exit to the right, after you give your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer. -
Drop-Off Checked Baggage
Drop-off your checked baggage at the Air Canada bag belt. Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight – if you do not, you will need to check-in on Connections Level 4. -
Proceed to China Terminal
Take the elevator to Connections Level 4.
If you have already checked in your bags and have a boarding pass, proceed towards the gates.
If you do not have a boarding pass or need to check-in oversize baggage, please recheck-in at the Air Canada counters. -
Proceed to Departures Level 3
Take the elevator, escalator or stairs down to the Departures Level 3. -
Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the flight information display screens. -
Services & Amenities
See the Map and Services & Amenities tabs of this passenger guide to find out more about the shopping, food & beverage and passenger services available in your area.Option 2: For passengers arriving before 5:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. local-time. (Times are subject to change.)
Airport Services & Facilities
Restrooms
Washroom facilities at YVR are designed with No-touch / doorless wheelchair with large, accessible facilities which include lower dispensers, grab bars and space to move within the room.
Telephones Booth/TTY Phones
Accessible telephone booths and TTY phones for are available throughout the terminal. For help locating phone booths in the terminal, please ask one of our friendly Green Coat Volunteers or a Customer Care Counter for assistance.
Wayfinding
All wayfinding at YVR has been designed for accessibility and signage is provided in plain language doctrine. For persons with visual impairments, the flooring at YVR is designed to assist you. Within the terminal, three types of flooring is used to create a texturized guide. All exits are indicated with tile or terrazzo; gates are indicated with low resistance carpeting; any other flooring (such as laminate) indicated a retail area.
Passengers requiring mobility assistance must contact their airline.
Dog Relief Areas
Dog relief areas are provided on the arrivals level outside of the main terminal. Areas are located outside, across from the terminal. Please ask our Green Coat Volunteers located within the Arrivals Areas for directions if necessary
Check-in
Universal counters have been designed with writing surfaces and toe clearance for persons using a wheelchair. These counters can be found at check-in, at customer care counters, and in retail outlets Amplified handsets are available at check-in counters.
Passengers requiring assistance to-and-from their gate may contact their airline for specific information regarding this service.