One of the most popular walking tours in Montreal, Canada is the underground city, officially known as RESO.
Discover Canada's RESO – the World's Largest Underground City

Although locals call it the 'underground city,' RESO is a massive pedestrian network spanning a total length of 33km beneath central Montreal – the largest city in the province of Quebec.
Since its inception in 2004, RESO has become a major tourist attraction in Montreal. For the majority of locals, it's also a flexible and convenient way to travel safely from point A to point B.



Along the underground pathways, you'll find offices, apartments, restaurants, and shops. Underground train lines, suburban trains, and buses all converge here. RESO is always bustling, welcoming around 500,000 people for work, exploration, and shopping at approximately 2,000 stores beneath the city.
Especially when the average temperature hovers around -10 degrees Celsius in January, RESO becomes a haven for both tourists and locals looking to escape the bone-chilling winter winds on the streets.



Most underground passages feature small shops and eateries, allowing you to mark landmarks to avoid getting lost and find your way more easily. Recently, the city government has established a signage system in the subways to assist tourists exploring RESO.
Currently, there are at least 10 large hotels, numerous shopping centers, office towers, cinemas, museums, theaters, universities, and restaurants ranging from luxurious to budget-friendly, making this underground city the largest subterranean complex in the world.



Thanks to the clever interconnection of various structures with diverse functions, RESO is a magnet for tourists.
In fact, this is the ideal place for out-of-town visitors to indulge in shopping through glass windows, choosing items from affordable to upscale, or simply strolling without worrying about the summer heat, winter chill, or outdoor rain and snow.
Not confined to just shopping in stores, many people come here to enjoy Complexe Desjardins, the city's largest entertainment district, or appreciate art exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts... Therefore, it would be a miss not to visit Montreal without exploring the underground city of RESO at least once.



By Binh An/Youthful Spirit
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourDecember 19, 2016