New Zealand Halal Travel
Muslim Friendly New Zealand: Christchurch to Auckland Halal Food and Mosque Stops
Articles • ali2007fr posted the article • 0 comments • 26 views • 2026-05-21 11:00
Reposted from the web
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore view all
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore view all
Reposted from the web
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore
Muslim Friendly New Zealand: Christchurch to Auckland Halal Food and Mosque Stops
Articles • ali2007fr posted the article • 0 comments • 26 views • 2026-05-21 11:00
Reposted from the web
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore view all
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore view all
Reposted from the web
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore
Summary: This Muslim friendly New Zealand route follows the original spring trip from Christchurch to Auckland, including halal food, mosque stops, towns, transfers, and photos. It keeps the travel order and place details for Muslim travelers planning a similar route.
In September 2014, I accepted a classmate's invitation to travel from Beijing to Christchurch, New Zealand, for their graduation ceremony. I spent half a month traveling in New Zealand. At that time, there were no direct flights from Beijing to Christchurch, so I had to transfer in Singapore. Singapore offers a 5-day visa-free transit policy for Chinese citizens, but each person can only use this opportunity once.
My seatmate on the plane was an elderly English woman who had settled in New Zealand after retiring. She had traveled from New Zealand to England to attend her child's wedding. Scotland was pushing for independence at the time, so I casually asked her what she thought about it. She said she respected the choice of the Scottish people.
After a 17-hour flight, I finally arrived safely in Christchurch.
The clouds in Christchurch hang very low and move quickly with the wind, and the air quality is excellent. September is spring in New Zealand. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of Beijing; when it is winter for us, New Zealand is entering summer.
My temporary home in Christchurch, a house in Burwood Forest, was a rather expensive luxury home. They cost about 600,000 to 800,000 New Zealand dollars, which is about 3 to 4 million yuan. Each house has its own unique style.
This torch and the Christ Church Cathedral are iconic landmarks of Christchurch. A major earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Almost all buildings taller than two stories were destroyed, and the cathedral was not spared. The city is currently being rebuilt.
A CD given to me by a Catholic missionary near the cathedral.
I visited the Christchurch Museum to learn about the history of the indigenous Maori people. New Zealanders perform the Maori war dance during celebrations.
The ancestors of the Maori people may have come from Taiwan. Today, the Maori are a minority in New Zealand, and the government has some protection policies for them.
New Zealand is a very important transit hub for Antarctica. Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, and you can transfer through Christchurch if you want to go to Antarctica.
Me, taking a break by the side of the road.
As a Commonwealth country, New Zealand has a lot in common with the UK, and the New Zealand accent is close to British English.
I saw people in strange costumes at the PAK'nSAVE supermarket. Like in other Western countries, large supermarkets in Christchurch are built in the suburbs, about a 15-minute drive from the city center.
I tried locally grown New Zealand gold kiwifruit for the first time. It was very sweet and cheap, so I ate about a bag every day.
The supermarkets here use self-checkout machines where you can pay with cash or credit card.
No matter how cold it is, locals love sitting outside to drink coffee, and there are outdoor heaters. September is spring in New Zealand, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees and nighttime temperatures dropping to about 4 degrees.
At the Chinese supermarket in Christchurch's Chinatown, they sell halal Henan spicy soup (hulatang), and you can even get soy milk and fried dough sticks (youtiao) for breakfast.
Prince of Persia Iranian restaurant.
The Prince of Persia Persian restaurant in Christchurch is located on Riccarton Road.
There are not many Muslims in Christchurch, but you can always see people wearing headscarves on the street, mostly of South Asian descent, with some Chinese as well.
Driving up Cashmere Hill after dark to see the night view of Christchurch is a popular activity for many people.
I only had my iPhone 4S with me, so I couldn't capture the beauty of the night view.
In the evening, we went for a walk on the nearby New Brighton beach to collect seashells.
You need a license to fish here, and signs along the beach show the common local fish species.
When the tide goes out, you can find fresh seafood along the shore.
I didn't have a habit of drinking coffee back home, but since arriving in New Zealand, I have a cup every morning. New Zealand coffee is famously delicious, and even neighboring Australia has to admit it. However, you can't recreate the same taste by bringing New Zealand coffee machines and beans back home. This is likely because New Zealand milk is so good, and you cannot get fresh New Zealand milk in China.
Ninety percent of the cars in this country are Japanese.
I went for a walk in the forest park this morning. Strangers we passed greeted us, and the city leaves an impression of being both gentlemanly and friendly.
Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We drove to Lake Tekapo. After arriving, I realized there is no such thing as a specific tourist spot in New Zealand; as long as you leave the city, the whole journey is scenery. This place is also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
This is the most famous scenic spot on the South Island, known for the Milky Way visible above the Church of the Good Shepherd at night. You need powerful photography equipment to take good photos of the starry sky. New Zealand's natural scenic spots are all open for free and are not fenced off for entry fees.
We stayed at a motel by the lake, which cost about 500 RMB per night.
Soaking up the sun at a cafe by the lake.
A bird flew onto my table. The small animals here are not afraid of people.
It happened that a Japanese couple was holding their wedding at the Church of the Good Shepherd that day.
The wedding ceremony was very simple, and I like this kind of simple ceremony.
There were Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia among the visitors.
The lake water is crystal clear, and you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance.
We continued our journey and filled two bottles with water from the Hurunui River to take back for making tea. The river water comes from melted mountain snow. There are many rabbit holes along the bank, as New Zealand has a lot of wild rabbits.
Passing through the small town of Hanmer Springs, I saw some military hospitals left over from World War I that are no longer in use.
Churches are widely distributed in New Zealand, and every community has one.
University of Canterbury
At the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, I met a student from Singapore. He is a top student studying mathematics with a GPA of 8.5. He is a Protestant Reformed Christian and a very nice person. He told me that about 11% of people in Singapore are broadly Christian, and the proportion of Muslims is even higher.
The French town of Akaroa
Legend has it that two hundred years ago, British and French forces came to New Zealand looking for a good place to land. The British found the larger Lyttelton, but they pushed the French to Akaroa.
The town has a monument to honor all the heroes who died in World War I and World War II.
New Brighton Beach
While walking along the beach at New Brighton, I saw the names of some donors carved into the bridge and three girls surfing in the water.
Our car broke down on the way back. An elderly white couple came over to ask if we were okay and helped us call for roadside assistance. They even gave us their phone number and address, telling us to contact them if the car could not be fixed today so they could drive us home. I was very moved.
The tow truck arrived half an hour later and took our car away. The staff gave us a loaner car to use, and we made it back to our accommodation safely that night.
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
The most important thing was attending my classmate's graduation ceremony.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear that day, though it is like that almost every day.
Everyone takes the graduation ceremony seriously, and family members usually attend. When the principal read the name of each graduate, friends and family in the audience cheered.
A Muslim family at the graduation ceremony.
I went out to celebrate with my classmates in the evening. A classmate took me to a casino. Chinese international students like to gamble, so I just watched from the side.
Turkish kebab (doner kebab) at Northlands Mall.
In Western countries, doner kebab wraps (tuerqi kaorou juan) are as common as Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) in China. Because the taste suits Chinese people, this snack has saved the stomachs of so many Chinese students abroad.
Kaikoura town
We stumbled upon a vintage car rally in the town. Hundreds of classic cars from all over the world gathered here, making for a spectacular sight. Every hotel was fully booked. They were having a big party that night before leaving for Wellington the next day.
I ordered half a large lobster for 180 yuan.
On the way back, we were reported by passing drivers for driving too slowly (90 mph) on the highway. A traffic officer pulled us over for questioning. The highway here has no speed limit, but you cannot drive too slowly. We were fined 150 dollars because of this. Almost every international student in New Zealand has been pulled over by the police. Buying a car here costs only one-third of the price in China, and getting a license plate is easy. International students must have their home country's driver's license translated into English to use it, or they face a 600 New Zealand dollar fine. You cannot use your phone or smoke while driving. Police are everywhere on weekends checking for drunk driving, but as long as you can prove you are clear-headed, a small amount of alcohol will not get you penalized.
Christchurch Mosque
Christchurch Mosque, a place even a friend of mine who grew up in Christchurch did not know about.
There are many Chinese translations and interpretations of the Quran on the bookshelf.
I met two friends (dosti), one from North Africa and the other a local white New Zealander. Before I left, the white friend gave me a Chinese translation of the Quran and said I could take a few more. When I told them that China has 20 million Muslims, they both expressed their amazement. ALHAMDULILLAH! I did not see them in the photos of the victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting. I hope they are safe...
Auckland
I flew from Christchurch to Auckland. At the airport, an older man was preaching to everyone he could find. He had a cross drawn on his chest, which is a symbol of the Crusaders.
I saw a gay couple on the plane. They held hands and kissed from time to time. Same-sex marriage is legal in New Zealand.
Me in Auckland.
Auckland is the busiest city in New Zealand, but it is not the capital. There are more Asian people here, including those of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was the first Chinese bank to enter New Zealand.
Muslims on the streets of Auckland. Most Uyghurs in New Zealand live in Auckland, and there are Xinjiang restaurants here.
The Poplar (Huyang) Xinjiang Restaurant in Auckland. The TV inside was playing 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'. That year, the show was filmed in New Zealand.
I happened to see an environmental group marching in Auckland. They were calling on people to stop deep-sea oil drilling. This is a major trait of New Zealanders. Local people care a lot about environmental protection. They think their country is beautiful but also fragile and needs to be protected. They will not destroy the environment for economic development.
My 15 days in New Zealand passed quickly. This experience made me want to visit more countries in the future. On the day I returned to Beijing, I did not leave the capital airport but instead caught a flight directly to Urumqi. The beautiful scenery I saw in Kanas reminded me of my daily life in New Zealand. Since then, I can face any scenery I see with a calm heart.
Here is the guide for a layover in Singapore on the way to Christchurch:
A one-day visa-free tour of Singapore