Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch is a vibrant New Zealand city known for its English heritage, beautiful gardens, and post-earthquake resilience. 1050

As the sixth stop of the cruise, Christchurch offers a charming mix of natural beauty and urban renewal, with easy access to the scenic port town of Lyttelton, beautiful botanical gardens, and innovative architecture reflecting the city’s resilience.

A market building

Christchurch’s historic tram is a relaxing and scenic way to explore the city, offering a hop-on, hop-off experience that loops past key attractions like Cathedral Square, the Avon River, and the Canterbury Museum in a beautifully restored vintage vehicle.

The street view as taken from the tram

I got off the tram at Cathedral Square Christchurch

ChristChurch Cathedral, located in Cathedral Square, is an iconic symbol of the city, known for its Gothic Revival architecture. Though damaged in the 2011 earthquake, it remains a powerful symbol of resilience, with ongoing restoration efforts and a nearby transitional “Cardboard Cathedral” serving as a modern place of worship.

The 2011 Christchurch earthquake struck on February 22 with a magnitude of 6.3, causing widespread destruction in the city center and tragically claiming 185 lives. It severely damaged many historic buildings, including ChristChurch Cathedral, and led to years of recovery and rebuilding, showcasing the city’s resilience and community spirit.

I walked along Worcester Boulevard from Cathedral Square toward the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, passing historic buildings, art galleries, and the serene Avon River along the way.

Avon River

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is a striking modern building known for its glass façade and vibrant exhibitions. It showcases an impressive collection of New Zealand and international art, and serves as a cultural hub in the heart of the city.

Back on Worcester Blvd

The University of Canterbury

Walking into the university

The University of Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s leading universities, known for its strong research programs and beautiful leafy campus. Founded in 1873, it offers a wide range of academic disciplines and plays a key role in Christchurch’s educational and cultural life.

This building was opened to public

At the end of the university buildings

Next to the university buildings is the Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Looking back at the university buildings

The Christchurch Botanical Gardens

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are a lush, peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, featuring beautifully landscaped grounds, themed gardens, and a wide variety of native and exotic plants. Established in 1863, the gardens are a favorite spot for walking, picnicking, and enjoying the seasonal floral displays along the Avon River.

The Avon River

I turned around and started to walk back to the entrance of the garden

Came back to the fountain

I retook the hop-on and hop-off train at here

I got off the tram at the New Regent Street Precinct.

It’s a short, narrow, one-way street designed for the tram, lined with colorful buildings and dotted with inviting eateries and cafes along the sides.

From the New Regient Street Precinct, I walked to the Cardboard Cathedral, which was a bit away from the city center

On the way, I saw many houses in a modern style.

The Cardboard Cathedral.  

The Cardboard Cathedral, officially known as the Transitional Cathedral, is a striking and innovative structure built after the 2011 earthquake. Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, it features a unique A-frame design using cardboard tubes, timber, and polycarbonate, serving as a temporary place of worship and a symbol of hope and resilience for Christchurch.

After the church, I wandered around the modern style houses to take some pictures

After looking at the new houses, I walked back to where I started the Christchurch sightseeing.