The exquisite and elegant New Zealand town Dunedin

? Speaking of New Zealand cities, the well-known ones are Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and the capital, Wellington. In fact, in the 19th century, New Zealand's largest city was Dunedin. In January 2017, a few friends and I planned a self-driving tour in the South Island of New Zealand. We were determined to visit various cities in the South Island, and the last stop was Dunedin.

? Dunedin was one of New Zealand's three original cities, built on gold rush wealth, a legacy preserved in the Southern Hemisphere's Edwardian and Victorian architecture. During the Central Otago gold rush of the 1860s, Dunedin's population and wealth grew rapidly, and for a short time it became New Zealand's largest urban area. Today, Dunedin has a diverse economy including manufacturing, publishing, tourism and technology. It has Gothic church spiers, ornate mansions, grand buildings, charming alleys and picturesque gardens woven into the heart of the city, filled with bustling cafes, shopping boutiques and outstanding street art.

Dunedin has beaten Wellington to become New Zealand's most liveable city, according to a new survey. Affordable housing, civic pride and a strong sense of security appear to underlie the good results from Dunedin's biennial quality of life survey.

? Dunedin can be said to be a boutique city, small but perfectly structured, with many fascinating things to see and do. It sits on what was once a volcanic crater and is surrounded by shrub-covered hills overlooking the beautiful harbor and vast Pacific Ocean. The city is very walkable and there is a lot to discover in a relatively short distance.

? Larnach Castle is a must-see attraction for tourists. This castle is located on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula, within the city limits of Dunedin, New Zealand, near the small settlement of Pukehiki. It is one of the few houses of this size in New Zealand. This castle is known as "New Zealand's only castle". The castle and grounds are open to the public every day. Larnach Castle Gardens is one of only five gardens in the country to be designated a Garden of International Importance by the New Zealand Garden Trust. It is the first garden in the South Island to receive this designation. In 2018, Larnach Castle was designated a New Zealand Landmark by Heritage New Zealand.

The original castle was built in 1871 by merchant baron and politician William Larnach for his beloved first wife Eliza. More than 200 workers spent 3 years building the castle shell, and European craftsmen spent another 12 years decorating the castle interior. Larnach spared no expense to build his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world.

Since 1967, the castle has been privately owned by the Buck family and is open as a tourist attraction. The Barker family spent decades restoring the vacant building from ruin and amassing a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. The family have been committed to opening their home and sharing this important period in Dunedin and New Zealand history.

? Among the many antique furniture collections, what impressed me deeply was a sewing box decorated with wood carvings. The woodcarving patterns inside the box lid are lifelike and have Chinese cultural characteristics. Even in China, Such objects are no longer common.

? Stories of scandal and tragedy, spectacular tower views and internationally significant gardens complete this delightful retro experience. The castle garden also provides boutique hotel accommodation, and the large banquet hall in the garden also provides afternoon tea at 3 pm every day (afternoon tea must be booked in advance).

In addition, the Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum and the Otago Museum are both well worth a visit, providing a glimpse into local history and culture through interactive exhibitions and events. The Dunedin Chinese Garden is a haven of tranquility created in traditional Chinese style as a reminder of the city's historical links with China.