2012- Under this project, the Jade Capital of British Columbia has installed an additional seven jade monuments along the ‘Jade Trail‘. Overall, thirty pieces of jade line the town in a project that took six years to complete. The stones have been cut, polished and mounted to reflect the different qualities each face displays. The Jade Walk is a tribute to B.C.’s Official Gemstone, and Lillooet’s jade mining history.
The community of Lillooet has focused on building upon the community’s reputation as the province’s Jade Capital by developing a tourist route that brings visitors into Lillooet’s downtown core, where they can learn about the jade mining history of the area while spending in local businesses. Â With the Jade Trail complete, plaques and interpretive signage have been designed and installed to help tourists follow the Jade Trail. Busloads of tourists travel through the Whistler-Pemberton corridor to enjoy the jade capital and it is a special draw particularly for Asian tourists who prize jade as a gemstone with good luck properties. Brochures and maps have been developed and published and a self guided audio tour is available from the tourist information centre.
The Jade Trail starts at the museum and visitor centre in Lillooet’s downtown. A truly collaborative community project, most of the work was completed through countless volunteer hours, material and labour donated by local contractors, and community fundraisers – all truly reflecting Lillooet’s ‘Guaranteed Rugged’ branding.
