Richmond
Richmond is a riverine city to the south of Vancouver in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Comprising several islands, the city is protected by a system of dikes from the Fraser River's occasional flooding. Richmond has the country's largest Asian-Canadian population by percentage, many Cantonese speaking; over 60% of the population is non-white.
Richmond is mainly composed of four main islands: Lulu Island (Richmond proper), Sea Island (Vancouver International Airport (YVR)), Mitchell Island (industrial) and Iona Island (parks and city maintenance). Steveston, a former fishing village that is now a tourist and shopping district, sits at the southwestern tip.
The character of Richmond has changed dramatically since the 1980s. It used to be primarily a farming community with a large fishing village. It has become a centre of new immigrants, mostly from Asia, especially Hong Kong and mainland China. There are now many residential high rise towers and Hong Kong style shopping malls, e.g., Aberdeen.
Get in
By plane
1 Vancouver International Airport (YVR IATA), 3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, BC (Sea Island in Richmond). 
Vancouver International Airport is within Richmond city limits, so it's a short ride by taxi or SkyTrain from the airport (just remember to transfer to a train heading south to Richmond Centre at Bridgeport Station). If you're already in Vancouver, or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, Richmond is well integrated with the region's road and public transit system.
A Skytrain line connects Downtown Vancouver with the Airport and Richmond Centre.
By public transit
The regional public transit system operated by Translink has both bus and SkyTrain connections in Richmond. Canada Line, part of the SkyTrain system, connects Richmond with downtown Vancouver. The line is actually a Y shape with one branch going to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the other going to Richmond Centre. Trains alternate between the two destinations and there will be signs on the trains and station platforms saying which destination the train terminates at.
The following buses all run direct to Richmond from other localities within Greater Vancouver:
- #301 - Connects Bridgeport Station to North Delta and Surrey
- #351 - Connects Bridgeport Station to South Surrey and White Rock
- #410 - Connects Steveston via Brighouse Station to 22nd Street SkyTrain station in New Westminster
- #430 - Connects Brighouse Station to Metrotown in Burnaby
- #480 - Connects Bridgeport Station to UBC in Vancouver
- #601 - Connects Bridgeport Station to Delta's Ladner and Tsawwassen areas.
- #620 - Connects Bridgeport Station via Delta to Tsawwassen Ferry for travel Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands
The standard fare (effective July 2024) to get into Richmond is $3.20 by bus and $4.65 by train (for a two zone ticket) from most places in the Greater Vancouver area. To get from YVR airport to Richmond costs $8.20: $3.20 for a one-zone transit fare and $5 for an airport AddFare. This AddFare only has to be paid on trips from the airport, not on trips to the airport. It is also possible to avoid the AddFare by buying prepaid transit tickets from the 7-Eleven or Pharmasave in the bottom level of the Domestic terminal of the airport.
By car
The main highway in and out of Richmond is Highway 99. From Vancouver, it is accessed via the Oak St bridge. If coming from Surrey or New Westminster, Highway 91 / 91A can also be used.
Get around
Richmond is mostly a grid with fairly wide streets so driving around isn't a problem. Major north-south roads tend to be numbered (No. 1 Rd, No. 2 Rd, and so forth, with No. 3 Road considered the main street). Major east-west streets include Bridgeport Rd (alternate access to the airport), Westminster Highway (access to Richmond Centre, the closest thing Richmond has to a 'downtown') and Steveston Highway.
Richmond Centre is the transit hub for buses within Richmond with connections to Steveston, the Riverport Complex and the Buddhist temple. Fares for travel within Richmond are $3.20.
See
- International Buddhist Temple, 9160 Steveston Highway (between No. 3 and No. 4 Rd), ☏ +1 604-274-2822, temple@buddhisttemple.ca. The first and largest authentic Chinese Buddhist temple in North America. It is noted for its attention to detail (see the holden ceramic roof tiles in the four grand halls), the traditional Chinese art pieces, such as paintings, calligraphy and statues, and for housing the largest Buddha statue in North America and the largest Buddhist mural in the world, which took over two years to complete. The classical Chinese garden is serene and beautiful, with its gazebos, wisdom fountain, lotus ponds, dragon fountains, and stone bridge. Guided tours can be held for groups of 15 or more people. The cafeteria serves Chinese vegetarian lunches, and the gift shop offers a variety of Buddhist items. The temple welcomes everyone and admission is free.
- No.5 Road Religious Shrines. A portion of the road has religious shrines celebrating all sorts of religions. Given Vancouver's multicultural nature, this is a great way to express it. The International Buddhist Temple, Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Vedic Hindu Society, Jama Masjid, and a Jewish day school are here. This is a great way to learn of other religions and cultures.
- Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Ave, ☏ +1 604-664-9009. Open May - mid Oct on M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM (closed Tu & W during Sept and Oct). National Historic Site in Steveston. Commemorates the history of Canada's West Coast fishing industry from the 1870s to the present. Adult $7.80, adult $3.90.
- Steveston is in the southwest corner of Richmond where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean. It used to be a fishing village and is now a tourist destination. There are good fish and chip shops in Steveston, and on sunny days you can sit out by the water on the boat docks and eat. Many movies and television series have been filmed here. A nearby park towards the western end of the village offers great views of the ocean and is a common area for barbecues in the summer. During the summer there is a popular farmers market.
Do
- [dead link] Blossom Winery, 5491 Minoru Blvd, ☏ +1 604-232-9839, fax: +1 604-232-9836, info@blossomwinery.com. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM, holidays: call for info. Produces ice wine (from frozen grapes harvested in December instead of September, with more sugar and less acidity) and fruit wine. Wine tasting and retails sales are available here.
- Riverport Sports & Entertainment Complex (SilverCity), 14211 Entertainment Way (south end of 6 Road, near the Ironwood mall), ☏ +1 604-271-2739. A commercial zone dedicated to fun times and activities. Includes a huge movie theatre with an Imax screen, bowling, a large swimming pool, Canada's largest indoor trampoline park and an indoor waterpark.
- Sanduz Estate Wines tasting, 12791 Blundell Rd, ☏ +1 604-214-0444, fax: +1 604-273-5646, info@sanduzwines.com. 11-18h. A variety of grape and other fruit wines, for tasting and purchase. Free.
- TBC Indoor Cart Racing, 2100 Viceroy Pl, ☏ +1 604-232-9196, fax: +1 604-232-9197. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight. Drive small but fun go-karts around a twisty indoor course. A typical race is 10-12 laps in 7-8 minutes. Helmets supplied and wear closed-toe shoes. Kids are ok with parents signature. $20/race (discounts to $10).
Buy
- Lansdowne Mall, No. 3 Road at Alderbridge Way, ☏ +1 604-270-1344, fax: +1 604-270-1140. M-T 10AM-6PM, W-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Shops include a Best Buy, and a food court with a mix of franchises and independents.
- Richmond Centre Mall, No. 3 Rd (opposite Minoru Park), ☏ +1 604-713-7467. M Tu Sa 9:30AM-7PM, W-F 9:30AM-9PM, Su & hol 11AM-6PM. The largest mall in Richmond. With over 240 stores, it's a shoppers delight. They have a food court on a dining terrace.
- Steveston Village, 3651 Moncton St. A wide variety of small shops line this popular tourist area.
Asian shopping malls
There is a large number of Asian shopping malls in Richmond. These usually have many small shops with a huge variety of things for sale.
- Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way. Su-W 11AM-7PM, Th-Sa 11AM-9PM.
- Parker Place Shopping Centre, 4380 No.3 Rd, ☏ +1 604-273-0276. Su-Th 11AM-7PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM.
- Union Square, 8328 Capstan Way, ☏ +1 604-304-2759.
- Yaohan Centre, 3700 No. 3 Rd, ☏ +1 604-231-0601.
Night markets
Richmond has enjoyed Asian-style night markets on summer weekends since at least 1998, but the locations and operators change with the years. Expect a token admission fee, huge crowds, lots of food stalls, vendors overflowing with cheap merchandise, and a few attractions for the kids. A pleasant way to pass a summer evening.
- Richmond Night Market, 8351 River Rd (Canada Line to Richmond-Brighouse Station, then short walk; or drive along No. 3 road to pay parking; do not try to park in the River Rock Casino Parkades), ☏ +1 604 244-8448. Mid-May to mid-Oct: F Sa 7PM-midnight, Su & hol 7-11PM. Dozens of food booths with Chinese, Japanese, Bubble tea, and many other cuisines. Dozens more booths with kitsch items, cheap clothing, other merchandise. Haggling is part of the fun. Large yellow ducks are something of a mascot. $2.25 per person, free if under 10 years or 60 years or older. $10 and $20 Zoom Pass offer 7 or 13 admissions and are transferable.
Eat
There are a number of fine dining places and a variety of Asian cuisines in Richmond. A Seattle newspaper columnist credited Richmond with having the best reasonably-priced Chinese food in the Northwest. In addition to the restaurants listed here, the night markets overflow with food stalls, and shopping malls offer an abundance of choice at their food courts.
Budget
- 1 Fukuroku, 4260 No. 3 Rd, ☏ +1 604 273-0622. Japanese cuisine serving fresh and tasty sushi and udon. Main restaurant is in downtown Richmond as well as an Express Bar nearby. Enjoy authentic meals at a reasonable price.
- 2 #9 Restaurant, 5300 No 3 Rd, Unit 816 (in Lansdowne Mall next to Kinko's), ☏ +1 604 278-7700. Casual Hong Kong style Chinese food (noodles, congee, rice, bbq, etc.) 24 hour restaurant 7 days a week, all year round (including holidays).
- 3 Pajos, 12351 3 Ave (on a floating wharf near the intersection of Bayview and Third Avenue), ☏ +1 604-272-1588. Famous for fish & chips, having won several awards. Sit on the wharf and enjoy some take-away while seagulls fly overhead.
- 4 Parker Place mall food court, 4311 Hazelbridge Way. The food court’s 19 stores offer tasty, convenient authentic cooking from a range of Asian cuisines.
- 5 Richmond Public Market, 8260 Westminster Hwy. Near Buswell. Asian food court, located on the upper level, where you will find some of the cheapest and most delicious fast food in Richmond.
- 6 Harvey's & Swiss Chalet, 3211 Grant McConachie Way (in Vancouver International Airport (YVR), before security, domestic Level 2), ☏ +1 604-273-4441. Daily 7AM-9PM. A chain burger and rotisserie restaurant.
Mid-range
- 7 Neptune Seafood Restaurant (龍皇鮑翅海鮮酒家), 8171 Ackroyd Rd #100 (facing No. 3 Road), ☏ +1 604 207-9888, fax: +1 604 207-9920. Usually packed with locals, dining on the very popular dim sum and/or great seafood.
- 8 Papi's Ristorante Italiano, 12251 No. 1 Rd, ☏ +1 604-275-8355. An Italian restaurant serving traditional food at a reasonable price. Its located a block away from the water in Steveston. The owners also run Mercato Nel Vicolo, the deli next door that stocks Italian groceries (hams, pasta, etc.) and pre-made dishes.
- 9 Steveston Pizza Co., 100-3400 Moncton St, ☏ +1 604-204-0777. Pizza joint in Steveston that serves tasty thin crust pizza.
- 10 Sun Sui Wah, 102-4940 No. 3 Rd, ☏ +1 604 273-8208. M–F 10:30AM–3PM, 5–10:30PM; Sa Su 10AM–3PM, 5–10:30PM. Chinese seafood restaurant that offers an amazing dim sum on the weekends. Roast squab is also one of their specialties.
- 11 Tapenade Bistro, 3711 Bayview, ☏ +1 604-275-5188, moreinfo@tapenade.ca. Tu–F 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM; Sa Su 11AM–3PM, 5–9:30PM; M closed. Near the wharf, the Tapenade offers quality food served in generous portions amongst warm surroundings.
- 12 Thai House Richmond, 129-4940 No.3 Rd, ☏ +1 604-278-7373. M–Sa 11AM-10:30PM; M–Sa 11AM-10PM. The usual Thai food standards, competently delivered by a local chain. Other locations in Downtown Vancouver, and one in Kitsilano.
- 13 Top Gun J&C, #2020 Excel Centre, 8766 Mckim Way, ☏ +1 604-231-8006. Dim sum, congee (porridge) and other Cantonese delicacies. Each diner gets to choose his/her own tea leaves for traditional Chinese tea. Their bo lo pao (sweetened buns) is excellent. Parking available.
Drink
- Pioneer's Pub, 200-10111 No. 3 Rd, ☏ +1 604 271-6611. Quality beer sold at hard-to-match prices in Vancouver. Great pub atmosphere and standard meal fare.
- Flying Beaver, 4760 Inglis Dr, ☏ +1 604 273-0278. Watch the seaplanes take off and land on the Fraser River while enjoying a cold beverage and tasty snacks on the patio. You can't get a better place to enjoy a beer and watch the floatplanes.
Sleep
There are a number of hotels and motels that serve the airport, including the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, which is in the U.S. departures area of the airport.
Mid-range
- 1 Hampton Inn by Vancouver Airport, 8811 Bridgeport Rd, ☏ +1 604 232-5505. Check-in: noon, check-out: 3PM. Located near the Skytrain Bridgeport Station and minutes away from the airport, its an option for the business traveler or for a stop-over. While the rooms are simple and bland, the friendly service staff go out of their way to help you with your trip. $100-$300.
- 2 Sandman Hotel by Vancouver Airport, 3233 St. Edwards Dr, ☏ +1 604 303-8888. Contemporary architectural hotel near the airport that is clean and comfortable. Rooms include kitchenettes and air conditioning.
Splurge
- 3 Fairmont Vancouver Airport, 3111 Grant McConachie Way, ☏ +1 604-207-5200. Located inside the International Terminal, this luxury hotel provides guests with views of runways & mountains. Canapes and complimentary breakfast are served in lounge and rooms are well appointed.
- 4 Hilton Vancouver Airport, 5911 Minoru Blvd. Hotel 5 km from the airport and about 20 minutes by Skytrain (get off at the Lansdowne Station of the Canada Line) or car from Downtown Vancouver. For a nice view, ask for a room facing the northwest. Complimentary shuttle service to and from Airport.
- 5 Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel, 7571 Westminster Highway, ☏ +1 604-276-2112, toll-free: +1-877-323-8888. In the heart of Richmond and a couple of minutes from the airport. It is close to the Richmond Centre Mall. Rates from $152/night.
Connect
Go next
- Delta to the immediate south-east
- Vancouver South to the north, across the Fraser River
- White Rock and its beach are 20-30 minutes south-east on Highway 99 or take bus #351 from Bridgeport SkyTrain station.
- The Tsawassen ferry terminal is 20-30 minutes south-west on Highways 99 and 17 (or take bus #620 from Bridgeport Canada Line station). It has connections to Victoria, the provincial capital, Duke Point (mid Island) and several of the Southern Gulf Islands.
| Routes through Richmond |
| END ← | W  E |
→ New Westminster via  → Delta |
| Whistler ← Vancouver ← | N  S |
→ Delta → Seattle / Victoria via  |
| Vancouver City Centre ← South Vancouver ← | N  S |
→ END |