185 Empty White Chairs
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185 Empty White Chairs

4.7
·833 reviews·Christchurch, New Zealand

A poignant memorial featuring 185 empty white chairs, honoring lives lost in the 2011 earthquake with a tranquil waterside setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Experience quiet reflection

CrowdLow
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185 Empty White Chairs

185 Empty White Chairs

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Experience quiet reflection

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A poignant memorial featuring 185 empty white chairs, honoring lives lost in the 2011 earthquake with a tranquil waterside setting.

4.7
(833 reviews)

"A somber visit to pay respects for those that lost their lives in 2011. The memorial is absolutely stunning and beautifully laid out."

Vertical photo
TIP

Allow Ample Time

Plan for at least 45 minutes to an hour to fully absorb the memorial's impact. :stopwatch:

Embrace the Tranquility

The waterside location offers a serene atmosphere for quiet reflection. 🏞️

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 846 reviews

Type

Landmark

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Name Wall

The Name Wall

A poignant focal point honoring every life lost, offering a space for deep reflection and remembrance.

The Empty White Chairs

The Empty White Chairs

Symbolizing the lives tragically cut short, these chairs create a powerful and moving visual statement.

Tranquil Waterside Setting

Tranquil Waterside Setting

Adjacent to a peaceful body of water, this area provides a serene spot for quiet contemplation.

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Planning Your Visit

Reflect and Remember

This memorial is a place for quiet contemplation. Visitors often describe it as a somber yet beautiful experience, perfect for paying respects to those lost in the 2011 earthquake. Allow ample time for reflection.

Timing Your Visit

While not explicitly stated as crowded, arriving an hour before closing saw about 10 guests buying tickets. Consider visiting earlier in the day to ensure a more personal and unhurried experience, especially if you plan to engage with any interactive elements.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Experience quiet reflection
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Avoid peak visitor times
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Kind forum, critique my itinerary.

Hi all. Please give advise on our planned itinerary for late March, early April. We will be flying from Fiji (our first stop on our, 6 week total, adventure) so no jet lag and will have gotten used to driving on the left side of the road. We will be 64F and 74M. Not…

Allow Ample Time

Plan for at least 45 minutes to an hour to fully absorb the memorial's impact. :stopwatch:

Embrace the Tranquility

The waterside location offers a serene atmosphere for quiet reflection. 🏞️

reddit.com

Question to people not here pre-quake

I wasn't living in Chch, let alone New Zealand at the time it happened. But even I remember learning about the quake on the news and hearing from my teachers about it. I was wondering how you all learned of the quake?

Interactive Elements

Discover engaging areas, like a Lego table, that can spark interest for younger visitors. :child:

No content available

Tips

from all over the internet

Allow Ample Time

Plan for at least 45 minutes to an hour to fully absorb the memorial's impact. :stopwatch:

Embrace the Tranquility

The waterside location offers a serene atmosphere for quiet reflection. 🏞️

Interactive Elements

Discover engaging areas, like a Lego table, that can spark interest for younger visitors. :child:

What Travellers Say

4.7
(833 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find the 185 Empty White Chairs memorial to be a stunning and beautifully laid out tribute, offering a somber yet tranquil space for reflection and remembrance of the 2011 earthquake victims. The urban design and waterside setting are particularly praised for creating a peaceful atmosphere. While primarily a place for solemn reflection, some interactive elements can engage younger visitors.

"This was a somber visit for me to pay respects for those that lost their lives in 2011. The memorial is absolutely stunning and beautifully laid out, focusing on the name wall for those that lost their lives."

Mike

"it was a strong memorial for those who passed during the 2011 quake. Just next to a meandering body of water made for an excellent stop to reflect and have a quiet moment to yourself. I thought it was very good urban design and planning to get it done the way it was. really loved the tranquillity."

tweylin

"I cannot begin to explain how the experience made me feel. A flood of emotions and memories of the Earthquake as I walked through. There are some really cool interactive areas for the kids to spark their interests and we could have easily spent the whole day there thanks to the lego table."

Candice Olwage-Waloejo

What People Like

Somber and beautiful tribute
Tranquil waterside setting
Thoughtful urban design

What People Dislike

Can be emotionally heavy

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Information on public transport or driving directions to the memorial is not readily available in the provided content. It's recommended to check local transit maps or use a GPS service for the most accurate directions to the memorial site.

Details regarding parking availability are not specified. It's advisable to research local parking options near the memorial in advance of your visit.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Based on reviews, it appears tickets are required, as one visitor mentioned buying tickets an hour before closing. It's best to check the official website or contact the memorial directly for the most up-to-date ticketing information. 🎟️

While specific hours aren't listed, one review mentioned arriving an hour before closing. It's recommended to verify the operating hours before your visit to ensure you have enough time to experience the memorial.

The mention of buying tickets suggests there is an admission fee. Confirm the exact cost and any potential discounts when you check their official operating information.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The memorial serves as a somber tribute to honor those who lost their lives during the tragic 2011 earthquake, offering a space for remembrance and reflection. 🙏

Yes, there are interactive areas, including a Lego table, that can spark children's interests, making it a place that can resonate with younger visitors as well. :child:

Visitors describe the atmosphere as somber, stunning, beautiful, tranquil, and peaceful, making it an excellent stop for quiet reflection. :dove:

It's recommended to allocate a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour to fully experience and reflect at the memorial. 🕐

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally permitted at memorials, but it's always respectful to be mindful of others who are there for quiet contemplation. Focus on capturing the essence of the memorial respectfully. 📷

The arrangement of the 185 empty white chairs themselves, the name wall, and the tranquil waterside setting are all visually impactful areas for photography. :frame_photo:

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