The beautiful and vibrant city of Christchurch is known as the Garden City, owing to its picturesque parks and lush gardens.
Hagley Park is home to Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens, where visitors can wander among tall trees and beautiful blossoms, stop at the striking Peacock Fountain and visit the World Peace Bell – one of 21 bells placed around the world.
Elsewhere in the city, find cafés, shops, restaurants and art galleries.
Following a devastating earthquake in 2011, much of the city’s neo-gothic architecture was damaged or destroyed. A symbol of Christchurch’s resilience is the so-called ‘Cardboard Cathedral’, which was built to temporarily replace the city’s iconic Gothic place of worship that was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the quake. A visit to Christchurch can take in beautiful parks, art, sport and culture, and the city remains a fantastic base for exploring the wider Canterbury region.
