Christchurch is the biggest
city in the South Island and the 3rd biggest city in New Zealand. It is a
popular destination in New Zealand and is a major gateway to the country as
it has the 2nd biggest international airport.
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Internationally famed, the Garden City, Christchurch's well-established expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city's founding fathers. The centrally-located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square and spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon bear testimony to this legacy. The Garden City Festival of Flowers held in February each year is certainly one of the most popular festivals on the annual calendar. In 1996, Christchurch was acknowledged as the outstanding garden city from 620 international entries and in 1997, was judged Overall Winner of Major Cities in the Nations in Bloom International Competition to become Garden City of the World!.
Christchurch is also reputed to be the most English
looking city outside of England and this claim is justified but strange when
you consider that Christchurch is also the furtherest city in the world from England.
The city contains many English trees such as Weeping Willows, Poplars, and Chestnut
Trees along the the banks of the River Avon, named after it's English counterpart.
Christchurch's architecture is striking as most of its old buildings have been
preserved which adds to its English
charm.
The Square in the heart of the city is an entertaining place where you can sit down and watch unplanned entertainment from people debating subjects like religion or listening to the ramblings of the Wizard or the latest news from the Town Crier.
The Square and Worcester Boulevard have some great Markets which are ideally set against some of New Zealands oldest and most beautiful buildings. The Markets at Worcester Boulevard are accessible by a Tram that travels from the Square to the Museum.
The Port Hills, which is part of Banks Peninsula, houses some upper class suburbs and the views are quite spectacular as you can see the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps to the west and Banks Peninsula to the east.
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