New Zealand's South Island is indeed stunning

I had various worries before departure, but it turned out to be way beyond expectations. Below are the South Island regions ranked by their level of amazement: Mt Cook P1-P6 - When the weather is good, it's incredibly photogenic. I recommend the Tasman glacier River 25min trail – a round trip of about 45 minutes. The path is easy and not tiring. At the end, you'll see the glacier lake (P1). Additionally, there's a small hill at the top that's great for climbing and taking pictures (P3). - I recommend the 45min helicopter journey! The duration is just right, and you can stop on the snow mountain for 15min. The snow is knee-deep, so be sure to wear waterproof shoes! Saw a lot of pure ice bricks, and the whole world was very peaceful (P6). We flew at 17:30, which is a time when the sunlight isn't blinding, so the photos won't have harsh top light. Pukaki P7 I thought since I was already staying in Tekapo, and Pukaki is also a lake, there wouldn't be much difference. But only after seeing it did I realize that Pukaki is the real showstopper. It's on the way from Tekapo to Mount Cook, and after a few hairpin turns, it suddenly comes into view, shining brightly! The wild grass by the lake also feels very atmospheric. If the wind is calmer, this place would definitely be a world-class spot for wedding photos. Tekapo P8-9 - The lake scenery is indeed a bit less impressive compared to Pukaki, and it's relatively smaller. The famous Church of the Good Shepherd is also quite mini in size. As a base for Mount Cook, it's a great choice. There are lots of homestays along the lake, most with large windows facing the lake view, and the prices are very affordable. - Actually, one of the highlights of Tekapo is stargazing. We happened to be there during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is when the moon is the biggest and brightest of the year, so the stars were slightly less impressive. The Milky Way was faint. However, you can tell that without the moon, the stars here would be stunning. Remember to avoid stargazing around the 15th day of the lunar calendar! The new moon period is the best. Wanaka P10-11 We stopped by on the way to Queenstown, and a quick visit was enough. The town is very relaxed, with a great atmosphere, and a high proportion of local residents (unlike Tekapo, which has more tourists). But there aren't many unique features, and the lone tree can hardly be considered an attraction. I suggest having a Patagonia ice cream and just strolling around the park. If you're short on time, there's no need to stay.