CNN lists Christchurch as must-visit destination
Christchurch is the destination to visit in New Zealand in 2019, US news organisation CNN says.
The innovative, vibrant and eco- and people-conscious city that has emerged from the rubble of the 2011 earthquake seems to be the main reason for its inclusion in the list of 19 places to visit this year.
‘‘Several of our 19 places to visit in 2019 are bouncing back after natural disasters that hit their economies hard,’’ the list’s authors say. ‘‘You can do some good while enjoying the beaches in Hawaii, St Barts or Kerala.’’ Or visiting the cardboard cathedral in Christchurch.
While many still associate Christchurch with the earthquake, which killed 185 people and levelled much of the city, it’s the city’s response to the natural disaster that defines it, the site says. ‘‘Several years later, Christchurch has been reconstructed to be respectful of locals and to be more thoughtful of the environment, creating a city that at once feels hopeful and dynamic.’’
The vendors who have successfully transitioned from the pop-up container mall to permanent locations, ‘‘colourful street art about hope and resilience’’ and musical performances staged in multiple locations so more people have a chance to attend are also standout features of the city reborn, the site says. The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, which pays homage to those who lost their lives, and the Transitional (cardboard) Cathedral were both named as key sites.
Would-be travellers to Christchurch are told not to miss a visit to Ka¯ kano, a Ma¯ ori-owned cooking school and cafe that aims to heal people through food, and the Christchurch Art Gallery ‘‘which served as a home base for postquake responders and is now a gorgeous centrepiece for a city on the move’’.