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Christchurch
City Central l The Suburbs

City Central Stroll

The city center stroll should start from Cathedral Square. It was gazetted a pedestrian area in 1974 for the Commonwealth Games and countenanced a public speaking area, something like Hyde Park. The star performer is The Wizard, who is regarded as the city’s mascot. He comes dressed in black robes or sackcloth and speaks on any topic under the sun. In summer, the square bustles with festivals of fun and food. Stalls are set up to sell arts and crafts and ethnic foods while lunchtime concerts are held from December through January.

The Cathedral is a must-see as well for it is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest neo-Gothic churches. Constructed in 1864, the view from the tower will take your breath away.

The Southern Encounter complex, west from the Square, is a new, walk-through, hands-on-style aquarium. Ballantynes is located further down south on Colombo Street beside the City Mall, a pedestrian precinct.

Towards the Avon River and the Bridge of Remembrance are some of the best shopping districts in Christchurch. North along the Avon will lead to the recently renamed Worcester Boulevard, which is the route of the newly restored traditional trams that ply the inner city. Right across the river is the city’s information center, a pretty building synonymous to many of the likes in Christchurch.

A left turn from the boulevard presents the Christchurch Arts Center, the former site of the University of Canterbury. It is also home to the Court Theatre, a professional theatre company that has long been one of the best in the country.

At Rolleston Avenue sits Canterbury Museum, which is an exhibit in itself. The McDougall Gallery is located behind while the Botanic Garden is a few blocks away. With some of the most beautiful flowers planted, the latter is an excellent reflection of the gardening heritage of Christchurch.

Further up north at Armagh Street is the recently remodeled Victoria Square. It used to be a marketplace but is now another wonderful tribute to the city’s bestowed name, Garden City. The Floral Clock is worth the attention and time but the main feature of the Square is the Town Hall. Opened in 1972, it is the pride of the city. The building houses an auditorium, concert chamber, banquet hall, conference rooms, and a restaurant overlooking the Avon and Square. Recently, it has been linked to the new Parkroyal Hotel and convention center via an overhead walkway.

Victoria Street presents the first Casino in the country, with its stylized roulette-wheel façade. But do visit the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Built early this century, it is located in a somewhat tacky part of the town. A hands-on science center attached to a multiplex cinema center is also located in the same area. The building was once an old railway station. And of course, Hagley Park is not to be missed, as it is has one of the best jogging tracks.

Cycling would be a good mode of transportation as the city is rather flat. There are numerous bike rental shops as well as boat hire places for cruises on the Avon River. Overall, Christchurch is quite an experience to remember.

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