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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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