My Hometown

My Hometown: Between Urban and Rural

Langley Township, British Columbia

Background

    Langley Township in British Columbia is my hometown. I have lived in Langley Township since I was 2 years old. All aspects of my youth revolved around this area, from my elementary and high school years to my extracurricular activities, such as playing hockey. The scenery in Langley Township, like most of British Columbia, is very beautiful, with enormous trees and the Rocky Mountains dominating the horizon.

 

Information

    The Township of Langley is a relatively large district municipality in British Columbia, ranking as the 9th largest by land area, with an area of 307.22 km². The Township of Langley is distinct from the City of Langley. The latter is roughly thirty times smaller, and although they neighbour each other and share a name, they are not the same. The Township of Langley is the third-oldest municipality in British Columbia; therefore, it is home to many historically significant areas, which will be discussed further below. To learn more about the Township of Langley, I recommend visiting Wikipedia or the Township's official website for more information.

Things To Do...

    Upon learning about the incredible district municipality that I proudly call home, you are likely thinking, "How can I visit this wonderful place? And what should I do?" Fortunately, the following list provides seven fun activities that can guide your journey, including some hidden gems from a local expert. This list begins with popular activities and then concludes with more niche activities.

1. Visit Fort Langley

    Fort Langley is a region with profound historical significance in British Columbia. Being located beside the Fraser River, it was an essential fur trade post for the Hudson's Bay Company. Today, much of the town remains as a sort of time capsule of what once was, blending new-age shops with mid-19th-century architecture. It is now home to several restaurants and various shops, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

    Within Fort Langley, you can also visit the Fort Langley National Historic Site. This area boasts great historical depth related to the fur trade and is also an area where tourists and locals can learn about the Sto:lo people, an indigenous community that has utilized the Fraser River for resources for centuries. A journey around Fort Langley will provide a well-rounded day of food, sightseeing, and history.

2. Explore the Greater Vancouver Zoo

    Despite what the name suggests, the Greater Vancouver Zoo is actually located in the Township of Langley. It is a 120-acre zoo, home to roughly 140 species, from reptiles to mammals. Visitors are encouraged to bring bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and other non-motorized mobility equipment to navigate the large area, providing a fast and fun way to get around. The diversity of species cared for at the Greater Vancouver Zoo is evident in the list on their website, which includes species from all different regions of the world. My personal favourite is the capybara.

3. Watch Sports Venues at the Langley Events Centre

    The Langley Events Centre is a large facility that hosts various sporting events; one might call it the smaller equivalent of Rogers Arena (a larger facility home to the Vancouver Canucks) in Langley Township. Here, you can watch WHL-level hockey games with the Vancouver Giants, BC Tier 1 lacrosse with Langley Thunder, high-level university sports from Trinity Western, and more. For those interested in sports and looking for a reasonably priced outing, the Langley Event Centre is a great choice.

4. Go Golfing

    The Township of Langley is home to numerous golf courses, all of which are very beautiful and popular with locals. Some courses include Fort Langley Golf Course, The Redwoods Golf Course, and Belmont Golf Course, among others. Thus, if golfing is a passion or hobby of yours, the township of Langley offers several possible avenues to express your interest in the sport while offering excellent scenery.

5. Watch a Movie in IMAX at Cineplex

    It may seem like a silly recommendation, but cinemas with IMAX theatres are quite rare. Despite IMAX's rarity, the Township of Langley is home to one of the roughly ten IMAX theatres across Canada. Given this, it presents the perfect opportunity to watch a film in enormous resolution, that is, of very high quality. Thus, if you are a cinephile, be sure to visit Cineplex Cinemas.

6. Visit the Canadian Museum of Flight

    While this museum is quite small and tucked away in a less popular area of the Township of Langley, it houses some incredible aircraft and other aeroplane-related things. The Canadian Museum of Flight has a surprisingly large collection of aircraft, given its inconspicuous location; several are wartime aeroplanes, but there is also a variety of other aircraft. They also have dozens of engines, which are awe-inducing given the mechanical and engineering expertise that went into their construction. Both aircraft enthusiasts and regular individuals would enjoy this museum.

7. Eat Sushi at Nikko Sushi

    This is my favourite restaurant in the Township of Langley, and arguably all of B.C. I have been going to this restaurant since I was in my youth, and I continue to eat there into adulthood. I can also confidently say that it has some of the best sashimi in terms of quality and freshness in B.C. The staff are incredibly nice and genuinely value their customers. Nikko Sushi is a hidden gem of the highest order, and I highly recommend dining in if you have the opportunity.

Additional Content and Information

    While this article provides a thorough overview of the Township of Langley and its offerings, it does not offer a visual representation of what this district municipality looks like. Below are videos of the Township of Langley to better demonstrate its aesthetic and history, as well as a map to illustrate its size.

Conclusion

    This concludes the introduction to my hometown, which includes some history and key places of interest. If you are ever visiting Langley Township, this blog will give you a good idea of what to expect and possible activities to do.

For an audio tour of a street corner in my hometown, visit this site!

All images contain hyperlinks to the source of the image. Hyperlinks are also included for any referenced content online.