Xinhua
05 Jun 2025

HONG KONG, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Hailed as "the pure land on Earth," this South Pacific jewel dazzles with its vibrant natural beauty while setting a global example of harmony between humanity and nature through its pioneering conservation efforts.

Spanning 270,000 square kilometers across the North and South Islands plus countless smaller isles, New Zealand preserves Earth's primal grandeur like an open-air museum.

Snow-draped peaks, long coastlines, primordial volcanoes, emerald forests, and mirror-clear lakes form landscapes so cinematic they've starred in epics like The Lord of the Rings.

The North Island unfolds as a volcanic wonderland. Rotorua's geothermal theater stages nature's most dramatic performances-geysers erupting like liquid fireworks, mineral-rich hot springs, and bubbling mud cauldrons painting abstract art in steam. Here, visitors soak in geothermal spas, their mineral waters whispering ancient secrets.

Tongariro National Park's active volcanoes, including the real-life Mount Doom from The Lord of the Rings, sculpt a surreal canvas where volcanic deserts meet jewel-toned lakes and forests.

The South Island elevates nature's artistry to new heights. The Southern Alps carve through the land like a frozen dragon's spine, their crown jewel Aoraki/Mount Cook glistening with eternal snow.

On the wild West Coast, Fox Glacier defies gravity as it cascades through rainforests -- one of Earth's rare glaciers accessible at sea level, where adventurers navigate crystalline ice caves.

At night, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve unveils the universe's grandeur, the Milky Way swirling overhead with impossible clarity as if the cosmos had descended to Earth.

New Zealanders have woven environmental stewardship into their national identity. Beyond showcasing scenery, tourism here educates -- every guide emphasizes the "Tiaki Promise" to care for the land.

Rolling across both islands, sustainable farms produce world-renowned dairy and grass-fed meats while preserving pastoral traditions. Visitors don't just witness nature's majesty but join the story -- cheering at sheep-shearing contests, tasting earth-to-table cuisine, or learning ancestral Maori conservation wisdom.

Are you captivated by this scenery?

Photographers: Long Lei, Guo Lei, Lu Huaiqian, Meng Tao, Yang Liu,Zhu Qiping

Text: Yu Yang