Salmon canning, boat-making, and farming all played big roles in the lives of early Asian and European settlers in Richmond.
At Richmond's historic and heritage sites, explore firsthand how this community came to be, and also discover its rich, contemporary tapestry of different religions.
Just a 10-minute drive from Richmond's City Centre, Steveston was incorporated as a village in 1889 and peaked as a salmon canning centre prior to World War I. Today, with its waterfront boardwalk, fisherman's wharf, and quaint shops, Steveston still attracts history-minded visitors to the southwest corner of Richmond.
Watch a film on fishing in the Boiler House Theatre, step inside a contemporary fishing boat cabin, check out a salmon canning line exhibit, and buy souvenirs at the gift shop. Admission varies, and there are discounts for seniors, students and children. It's open between May and October.
Britannia Shipyard
A short walk east along the waterfront leads to the Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site. At British Columbia's oldest shipyard community, visit restored 19th-century homes, bunkhouses, and boatworks, showcasing old fishing vessels and the lifestyles of Japanese, Chinese, and European immigrants who co-existed here. More recently, scenes from movies like Blade and The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe have been shot at the 3.4ha/8.5ac site, which faces Shady Island across the Fraser River.
Britannia Shipyard is the site of the annual Richmond Maritime Festival each August. It's open Tuesday to Sunday from May to September, and Saturdays and Sundays from October to April.
London Heritage Farm and Finn Slough
A little further east lies London Heritage Farm. Explore a charmingly civilized, restored 1880s farmhouse with a tea room, chickens, fruit trees, and heritage gardens. Admission is by donation. London Heritage Farm is open Wednesday to Sunday in July and August, and weekends during the rest of the year.
A more off-beat destination is Finn Slough, located at the end of No. 4 Road. It's a picturesque collection of rough-hewn wooden houses on stilts in riverside marshland. The tiny community of 50-some residents was originally founded by Finnish settlers who came here to fish more than a century ago. Although the Finns have mostly moved on, there is still good bird-watching in the vicinity.
Richmond's Diverse Religious Heritage
Richmond is home to several impressive temples. The Kuan Yin Temple of the International Buddhist Society is perhaps the best-known with its huge Buddha images, stonework imported from China, and fountain-laden formal garden. Devotees visit the on-site oracle or light incense sticks in the courtyard. It's widely considered the most authentic example of Chinese temple architecture in North America.
Other temples of note include the Ling Yen Mountain Buddhist Temple with up to 80 Buddhist nuns on site; the Steveston Buddhist Temple, which has served the Japanese community since 1928; and the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, a Sikh holy place.
A 5 km/3 mi stretch of No. 5 Road in Richmond has been dubbed the "Highway to Heaven" due to its multi-faith cluster of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other places of worship and religious schools.
Learn More About Richmond's History
For more information, head to the Richmond Cultural Centre, home of the city museum, archives, and art gallery. Or pop in at one of Richmond's Visitor Centres for information on attraction opening hours and admission fees.
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