Vancouver

Film Venue Spotlight: UBC

Situated 30 minutes’ drive from downtown Vancouver, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a sprawling space consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. Part of the appeal is due to the venue’s stunning architecture, exquisite landscaping, and rich collection of cultural offerings – so it’s no wonder the film community flocks here to capture guaranteed picture-perfect backdrops. In fact, UBC was recently named the ninth most popular filming location in the world.

The multifaceted space has appeared in popular movies and TV shows as an endless array of entities: an ethereal garden in Altered Carbon; the site of a music industry party in Josie and the Pussycats; and the World’s Fair in Tomorrowland. UBC has also appeared in Fifty Shades of Grey, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Legends of Tomorrow, Fringe, The Man in the High Castle and many more.

Visitors to the space can marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture they’ve seen on-screen, which is even more striking in real life – but that’s not all there is to do. Here are some of our favourite non-study-related UBC experiences:

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Marvel at delightful oddities in the Beaty Biodiversity Museum  This cabinet of curiosities offers an enthralling and interactive foray into natural history. Visitors can browse more than 500 exhibits showcasing upwards of two million fossils, shells, insects, mammals and plants from around B.C. and the world. Be sure to look up to catch a glimpse of Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton, holding court over the cavernous space below.

Explore global arts and culture at the Museum of Anthropology   This stunning venue is home to thousands of ethnographic objects sourced from the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, including special emphasis on First Nations cultural objects. The museum contains the world’s largest collection of works by acclaimed Haida artist Bill Reid, as well as magnificent carvings, totem poles and Haida houses displayed on the Museum’s picturesque grounds. Guests can join a free guided walk, then take a breather in the airy café.

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Roam through lush flora at the UBC Botanical Garden & Greenheart TreeWalk  UBC’s colourful botanical garden offers a cheerful hideaway filled with more than 400 species of rhododendrons, thousands of alpine and mountain plants, herb gardens, a demonstration food garden and the Greenheart TreeWalk Adventure. The latter invites visitors to ascend walkways into the trees, where roped bridges connect pathways between the trunks.

Find your zen at the Nitobe Memorial Garden  This traditional garden is considered one of the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. The exquisite landscaping reflects an idealized natural space whose every tree, stone and shrub is in perfect harmony. After soaking in the garden’s pristine beauty – including the Koi-filled pond, streams and waterfalls, and stone lanterns – guests can adjourn to the teahouse to take part in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony.

Take in a concert at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts  Striking design features and stellar acoustics contribute to the Chan Centre’s appeal to artists, critics and patrons from around the world. The aesthetic venue hosts frequent performances ranging from classical recitals and jazz concerts to avant-garden theatre and opera productions.

Learn more about UBC at www.ubc.ca.