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New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific, offers a fusion of French romance and South Pacific island charm. What's it like to visit? Compared to the Maldives, it's still relatively unvisited by Chinese tourists. Compared to its sister island, Tahiti, it offers better value for money and is a diving paradise that's no less impressive.
New Caledoniacheck the details
New Caledonia, located near the Tropic of Capricorn, is a special French territory in southeastern Oceania. The main island, New Caledonia, is a long, narrow island divided into east and west by a rugged mountain range. Flat land is scarce, and the island is surrounded by coral reefs. Here, you can admire Noumea's world-famous coral aquarium. There are also towering peaks where you can breathe the freshest air. The east coast offers a natural beauty with abundant tropical vegetation and spectacular waterfalls. It is also home to coconut and coffee plantations. No matter where you are on any of New Caledonia's islands, you can easily enjoy a relaxing day. For those who enjoy water sports, you can freely sail, swim, or explore the underwater world through deep-sea diving. Other land-based sports include tennis, bowling, and golf.
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There are currently no direct flights from China, so the best way to get there is to transfer in Tokyo or Osaka. There are many direct flights from China to Tokyo or Osaka, and from there, it takes about 10 hours to reach Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.
New Caledonia is a French overseas territory, so you need to apply for a corresponding visa. An activated French Schengen visa that is less than 6 months old is also acceptable.
It is particularly easy to apply for a visa for French overseas territories, and the fee is relatively low, only 299 yuan. You pay on the spot, have your fingerprints taken, and have your photo taken.
In addition, since you need to transit in Japan, you also need to apply for a Japanese visa.
People often say, "I can't find the hotel you recommended." Searching in Chinese can be confusing, so to help you find the hotel quickly, I've listed the hotel names in two languages: English-Chinese or French-Chinese. I hope this helps you find your hotel reservation.
1. Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort
2. Hermitage Resort
3. Le Méridien Noumea
4. Le Meridien Isle of Pines
Most mobile Wi-Fi services don't support Xinka. Those who prefer to avoid the hassle can simply subscribe to their carrier's data plan. It costs 9 yuan/3MB, capped at 90 yuan. There's no XX yuan/day unlimited data plan, so it's still relatively expensive.
It is more economical to buy a local mobile phone card at Noumea Airport, which costs about 400 RMB and can be used for 7 days.
As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia is naturally not short of delicious food. The main feature of New Caledonia cuisine is the incorporation of traditional French cuisine into local flavors.
French three- and five-course meals are the mainstream, but Japanese and Chinese cuisines are also available. Wild deer are a widespread species in New Caledonia, much like kangaroos are in Australia, so wild venison is a delicacy on the dining table. Venison can be prepared in many ways, including raw as sashimi.
New Caledonia uses the Pacific Franc (CFP), not the Euro. It's best to exchange your currency for Euros in your home country and then exchange it for Pacific Francs there. However, Mastercards are accepted directly at major shopping malls and duty-free shops.
New Caledonia is 3 hours ahead of China time. When you arrive in New Caledonia, you need to adjust the time forward 3 hours.
This is a European socket. The most convenient way to go out now is to bring an international universal converter and a power strip. All charging devices can be handled. It is best if the power strip has a USB port.
Prices in New Caledonia are even higher than in Paris. Local handicrafts are a unique find, and if you're looking for a keepsake, consider high-quality black pearls. A single strand is quite expensive, but you can also buy a single black pearl and have it crafted into a ring or necklace pendant back home.
Playing in the water (island hopping, diving, boating, surfing)
Natural scenery (lakes, grasslands, dense forests, and villages)
Leisure adventure (flying, skydiving, horseback riding, boat charter)
Cultural tours (museums, historical buildings, handicrafts
Compared with many islands, this place has many unique features. First of all, there are a large number of virgin forests here, so you can have many different experiences.
The mountain road is winding, but the owner is familiar with it, so it is a bit bumpy, but the scenery is beautiful. If you are lucky, you will see herds of wild deer.
There are many cows on the farm. In addition to eating naturally grown grass, the hostess feeds them pumpkins at regular times.
In addition to cattle, horses are also of great interest to everyone. There are horseback riding routes on the east coast of New Caledonia, but it takes at least a day and of course requires some riding skills.
Noumea, a capital city in the South Pacific brimming with French romance, is located on the island of New Caledonia. The collision of diverse cultures has given this island a unique charm.
Some people say it is the Little Paris of the South Pacific, and when I walk in this city, especially when I see the sailboats, I am reminded of the pleasure of drinking fish soup in Marseille.
The closest island to Noumea is Hermit Island. It takes only 40 minutes to get to the island by cruise ship from the city’s port. The only hotel on the island is the Hermit Resort.
From the cruise ship terminal to the island, you have to pass through such a long plank road.
Although it's a tropical island, its biggest advantage is that it's not too hot. The sun is quite glaring, but a breeze is refreshing. The vibrant bougainvillea flowers are in full bloom, adding even more color to the blue and white beach.
The water houses are all the same size and are lined up in a row. These buildings themselves are a sight to behold. Each water house has a large terrace where you can lie on a folding chair and enjoy the sunshine and the sea.
This is a diving paradise, with a rich underwater world that attracts scuba divers from all over the world. Even more amazing is that even from the boardwalk or terrace, you can spot sea turtles swimming on the surface. Those familiar with diving know that snorkeling and seeing sea turtles are usually lucky, and the chances of seeing one during a deep dive are even lower.
Each water villa is a suite, complete with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom, and each room is exceptionally spacious. The minimalist design of the rooms reflects the local atmosphere, and the wide ocean views are particularly commendable. The pleasure of sleeping by the ocean every night shouldn't be reserved just for couples.
Like Maldives, the hotels here are divided into sand houses and water houses. The price of water houses is more expensive than that of sand houses. Smart travelers will naturally experience both, saving money and having more experiences.
If you get bored staying here, besides diving, you can also do some water sports. Snowboarding is very popular locally. Unlike surfing, as long as you can maintain a good balance and practice simply, you can paddle away.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side, Noumea is a prime port surrounded by a lagoon. Compared to many island cities, it has a wealth of history and culture waiting to be discovered by travelers from all over the world.
There is a large farmers' market in the city center of Noumea. At the entrance, there are some stalls selling original handicrafts. Because they are the creativity of the stall owners, taking photos is generally not allowed. If you want to take photos, it is best to get permission in advance.
There are 6 areas in the mall, each with a theme. Prices in New Caledonia are very high, as can be seen from the food market.
When shopping here, you should learn to compare prices like the locals. The prices of things are basically the same, the difference lies in the quality.
Leaving the market, you'll arrive at the New Tjibaou Cultural Center, a landmark building in New Caledonia. After getting off the bus at the entrance, you'll walk along a path of life to reach the building. This path tells the story of Dia Kanaki, the mythical hero of the Kanan people, and the five stages of life, corresponding to different plants, animals, and cultural symbols.
The first stage, the origin of life.
The moon placed its tooth on a reef. Under the moonlight, the tooth disintegrated into various fragments, some falling into the water while others remained on the reef. The tooth that remained on the reef became a lizard. Mammals are rare in New Caledonia, and lizards are believed to be the ancestors of the Kanak people. The fragment that fell into the water became a water snake. The plant corresponding to this stage is taro, which is associated with birth.
The second stage is the nourishment of life.
Taro and sweet potatoes are very important plants in Kanak life. Sweet potatoes symbolize masculinity, while taro symbolizes femininity. During important festivals and when meeting with tribal leaders, sweet potatoes and taro are offered as offerings. There's also an annual cassava planting ceremony!
The third stage is the land of ancestors.
The symbol is the foundation left in the ground. In a tribe, even if they later move out for other reasons, the foundation remains with the tribe, symbolizing their eternal belonging. It also corresponds to the unique plants of New Caledonia: the pine and coconut. The pine symbolizes masculinity, while the coconut symbolizes femininity.
The fourth stage is the territory of the gods.
There is a banyan tree in the middle, which is believed to be the body of a god. It was originally a place for burial. Later, missionaries came here and changed the burial methods, but the banyan tree is still a sacred tree.
These colorful strips of cloth, like the hada in Tibet, are a sacred place, corresponding to the banyan tree. The Kanak people believe that life is a cycle, so Diya Kanaki is believed to enter from the banyan tree, from the roots to the soil, and then return to the water.
The fifth stage, the cycle of life.
The corresponding plant is the hupu, also unique to New Caledonia. It is considered the god of trees and is primarily used to build the chief's house. There's also a rebirth stone with a hole in the center, symbolizing rebirth upon exiting the hole. The corresponding animal is the water snake, which sheds its skin and lands on the beach, symbolizing the transformation from snake to human.
So in the fifth stage you will see the sea, which is also the beginning of rebirth.
There is also a local Kanak building here, surrounded by a bunch of human-shaped wooden carvings. Around the building, it symbolizes that the tribesmen are guarding their homes.
As a new landmark in the city of Noumea, the New Jibaou Cultural Center is a center of culture, art and tradition of the local indigenous Kanak people. It was designed by Renzo Piano, a famous Italian architect and winner of the Pritzker Prize for Architecture.
The material comes from Ghana in Africa. It is a kind of wood that is not easily damaged by insects or corrosion, and is very tough. It can even withstand typhoons of 200 kilometers per hour.
The building also has a ventilation system that automatically adjusts its shutter-like blades according to the size and direction of the wind, making it very environmentally friendly.
There is a central passage inside, which is inspired by the Kanak village. The location is also very particular. The open side faces the sea, symbolizing the welcome to foreigners, while the closed side faces the peninsula, symbolizing the introspection of the wise.
Although it is a new landmark in Noumea, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment without appearing out of place. Living in harmony with the environment is also the philosophy of life of the Kanak people.
Understanding a city's past and present helps us better understand its culture. Today, Noumea is as beautiful as a fairyland, but it was once a nickel smelter. The nickel smelter made a fortune, and the government used the money to build many modern facilities. Looking down at Noumea, you can still feel its modernity.
This was the nickel smelter, and there are three more in Noumea today.
During World War II, Noumea served as the US military's Pacific headquarters. The US military built a significant amount of infrastructure in Noumea, and the locals are grateful to the US military. Consequently, American culture has left its mark on the city, and this graffiti wall has a distinctly American hip-hop feel.
In addition to the main island of New Caledonia, there are many small outlying islands. Pine Island has become a very dazzling island among the many outlying islands because of its beautiful lagoon.
It only takes half an hour to fly from the capital, Noumea, and the sea views along the way are breathtaking. Many people may think that sea helicopters are expensive, but why not try this short-term small plane? The experience is not much different.
Songdao is small, only 40 square kilometers, with a population of only 2,800, yet it has eight tribes. Each tribe has a chief, and above each of the eight chiefs is a chieftain. Because the tribes are hereditary, one of the elder chiefs had only one daughter. She was supposed to inherit the position, but because she was a woman, many in the tribe opposed her. She was forced to flee to this cave.
There is still a platform in the cave where she used to rest and sleep, called the Queen's Bed. On the bed are various items sent by later generations, similar to the purpose of praying for blessings.
The location pictured below is the entrance to a cave where food was once delivered to the chief's daughter. She later escaped from the cave, traveled to Noumea, learned French, and married a young man from the same tribe. Her husband later became the chief, and she became the queen. Deeply loved by her people, this cave has become a scenic spot on Pine Island.
There are many vanilla plantations in Songdo. Vanilla has many uses. First, it is an indispensable condiment on the local people's table. Second, it can be made into various aromatherapy essential oils.
Herb rack
This was once a prison, and it was also the earliest important place for New Caledonia in France, where prisoners were held. Over 40 years, 2,000 prisoners were held here. Now it has become a prison ruin, overgrown with weeds. The passage of time and the erosion of wind and rain have made this place desolate and peaceful!
My favorite beach is Baie de St. Maurice. In the center stands a statue of St. Maurice, commemorating the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries to the Isle of Pines and their missionary work. Surrounding it are wooden totem poles from various tribes on the island, representing their ancestral spirits guarding the site. It also symbolizes the fusion of Catholicism and local Kanak tradition.
The Kanak people still maintain the custom of requiring visitors, especially the chief, to bring a gift. If you're planning to visit, consider picking out a gift in your home country and bringing it with you. The chief and his wife will be delighted and will provide a hearty meal for everyone.
The food consisted of sweet potatoes, papaya, chicken, and some local vegetables. The coconut juice was squeezed by hand, giving the vegetables and meat a rich coconut aroma.
It also has a nice name called the infinity pool. Because it is sea water, there is really no boundary. It is true. From the main entrance of the hotel, you have to go through a jungle path. When the view suddenly opens up, you will reach the infinity pool.
Maybe it looks familiar to you because this is also the place where postcards from New Caledonia are taken.
This is also something that is quite typical of Songdo. It takes about two hours for five or six people to take a traditional raft and circle around Yupi Bay.
As the name suggests, Lighthouse Island has a lighthouse suitable for observation, which was built in 1862. On the island, you can watch performances and take a boat tour to watch sea turtles.
There is a little trick to taking pictures of this lighthouse. You must do it before docking and before leaving, so that you can take a panoramic photo of the entire lighthouse island.
The spiral staircase inside the lighthouse is very geometrically beautiful and is loved by photographers.
Standing on the top of the lighthouse, you can enjoy the beautiful 360-degree view of the lighthouse.
New Caledonia offers an unforgettable aesthetic and leisure experience. Its turquoise seas, golden sands, rural grasslands, and densely forested islands... Each angle feels familiar, yet distinctly different. Its unique blend of cultural symbols forms the core of New Caledonia's culture, and this complex flavor profile is perhaps its unique charm. I believe that in the near future, this enchanting sea will become a popular destination for Chinese people to enjoy their leisure and vacations.
