Football, tango, roasted meat and mate tea are known as
the four national treasures of Argentina. Argentine people are cheerful and friendly.
When you are here, you will feel even the air is filled with the smell of passion
Watch a ball game, enjoy a dish of roasted meat, drink a cup wine, and dance a tango … This is Argentina, a splendid country full of passion.
For China, Argentina is the most distant country on earth. Thanks to the gift of nature, Argentina is blessed with vast grasslands, rolling mountains, beautiful hills and lakes, abundant oil and a diverse climate. There stands the blue and beautiful Antarctic glacier, the majestic Iguazu Falls, and the last lighthouse at the end of the world.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires means fresh air. True to its name, the city has many parks and green spaces.
Whether it’s breakfast alone or afternoon tea with friends, cafes are part of the Argentine way of life, with freshly brewed coffee and fluffy croissants. This custom, which originated from the European colonists, has been integrated into the lives of the locals. The old CaféTortoni pioneered the literary café in Buenos Aires, located in a French Art Nouveau building on Avenida de Mayo (Avenue of May) , where many local artists, writers and cultural figures once came to discuss literature and art, share inspiration and creativity, and where today one can enjoy live tango and jazz performances while sipping the coffee.
When you wander around the city, you will find many squares, and the Plaza de Mayo is naturally one of the most famous. On the east side of the square is the Casa de Gobierno (Government House), nicknamed the Casa Rosada (House of Rose) because of its rose-colored exterior, which is romantic and also carries a far-reaching history. The three-story building is covered with blue shutters and exquisite corridors, with a rectangular balcony above the lofty arch in the center. Whenever people look at this balcony, they can’t help but think of Mrs. Eva Perón, known as the “Argentine Rose”, who from her humble origins became the first lady and always worked tirelessly for a country of equality, freedom and democracy. “Don’t cry for me, Argentina”, is a song which she said at the time of her untimely death echoed in the hearts of the Argentine people. Today, the Casa Rosada houses statues of past presidents, important decrees and proclamations, government documents and other historical artifacts.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Buenos Aires is the most literary city in the southern hemisphere. It is full of bookstores, large and small, and has witnessed such masters as Borges and Cortázar. El Ateneo Grand Splendid in the Recoleta district is a bookstore converted from an opera house that once hosted numerous tango legends, still retaining the gorgeous frescoed ceiling, small balconies and red curtains. Just imagine reading books in the gilded atmosphere, and listen to the piano and drink coffee in the lounge area transformed from the theatre stage!
When you see colorful houses and creative graffiti all around, then you are in Boca. This not-so-affluent lower-middle-class neighborhood has become a destination for artistic pioneers, attracting not only tourists and boosting the local economy, but also welcoming international artists to hold exhibitions here from time to time. Another attraction of Boca is the famous La Bombonera, where the the football matches of the Boca Juniors and Atletico River Plate always light up the whole area. Most of the cafes and restaurants along the streets have impromptu tango shows, and the stores sell a variety of specialty handicrafts.
The people of Buenos Aires are big fans of original local brands, so you won’t see too many international brands here, but you will find many local niche designer brands that are eye-catching and affordable. The Palermo district is one of these trendy neighborhoods. The streets are lined with a myriad of trendy design stores that are worth a slow stroll, and there are plenty of stylish cafes for you to spend a leisurely afternoon.
If you’re in Buenos Aires on Sunday, don’t miss the great Sunday market, which offers a wide range of goods, from antiques and curios to creative objects of all kinds, and is definitely worth taking home or giving to friends and family. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located in the old San Telmo neighborhood, stretching from Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Dorrego, with market stalls laid out on both sides of the avenue. At the Plaza Dorrego, there are always street tango performance,s accompanied by lively music, elegant and full of passion.
When it comes to Argentinian cuisine, grilled meat is definitely the way to go. There are grill restaurants all over the city, with a big burning fireplace in front of them, and they usually don’t disappoint. We recommend La Hormiga and La Cabrera Parrilla in the Palermo district for great and affordable steaks. If you want to watch a tango show while eating steak and drinking wine, Tango Porteño on Av. 9 de Julio (July 9th Avenue) is recommended. The dinner usually starts at 8:30, followed by the tango show at 10:30. In addition, Buenos Aires has two prestigious upscale restaurants: Tegui, the only Argentinean restaurant listed in the world’s top 50, which specializes in new fusion cuisine; and iLatina, a fusion of Latin American flavors, with each dish representing a country.
From football to tango
It is no exaggeration to say that Argentines consider football to be their life. A poll shows that 9 out of 10 Argentines declare themselves to be football fans.
The rise of football in Argentina is closely linked to the country’s development history. With the development of the Argentine meat processing industry, the beef from the Pampas was sold to Europe, and at that time the meat processing area at the port was home to an increasing number of foreign migrant workers. Football became a link between them, strengthening the communication and identity between the immigrant communities and gaining popularity in an invisible way.
Now in Argentina, almost everyone is happy to talk about football. It is more than just a sport, and while Argentines do love it, for them, football is more than that. It is the heroic dream of ordinary people. When the country’s economy is down, football is the reason why Argentines continue to be optimistic and passionate.
While the South Americans generally emphasize the skills of playing football, the Argentine players always perform on the field in a spontaneous and wonderful way, which brings surprises. In the 1986 World Cup, Maradona led his team to victory over England, sweeping away the gloom of Argentina’s defeat in the Falklands War, and is hailed by the country as a national hero.
The Boca district of Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Maradona and home of Argentina’s top team, Boca Juniors. Walking through the streets and colorful houses, you will always encounter Maradona’s portrait and fans taking pictures with it. You can buy a Boca shirt from the souvenir store, and rush to the La Bombonera for a rousing game.
The Argentines have also brought football to the table. Although table football is now popular all over the world, most people just take it as a pastime. In Argentina, however, it is a formal sport that is taken seriously. In restaurants or bars, football enthusiasts pull and spin with precision to put the ball in the goal. There is an official table football association in Argentina, and regular national tournaments are held every year.
Argentines cannot live without football, and equally cannot live without tango. Moreover, they have creatively blended them together. Tango based on football themes pop up all the time. Many tango creators have written tango anthems for the football teams they support. This cross-border creation has inspired the tango fans and football fans alike, binding more Argentines together.
Tango is a traditional Argentine dance and a proud national treasure of the Argentine people. It originated in the 19th century and has become a world-renowned folk art, and is listed as one of the official events of the International Standard Dance Competition. Tango is divided into different forms, but what remains the same is the passion and spontaneity. Buenos Aires is the main center of tango dance, filled with large and small tango dance halls, which locals call “Milonga”.
The Argentine Tango has no rigid rules on the embracing posture of male and female dancers. Sometimes they embrace each other tightly and sometimes they keep an arm’s length away. They often improvise, and the unconventional personalized interpretation is like a wonderful dialogue, which is a reflection of the bold attitude of Argentinean life.
Bar Sur is one of the most famous place to watch tango shows in Buenos Aires. The small retro space allows the viewers to get up close and even interact with the dancers. Tango shows usually start at 8:30 p.m. and run until 2 a.m. There are show-only or with dinner packages to choose from.
The Centro Cultural Borges, on the other hand, offers professional high-level contemporary tango performances, as well as flamenco, ballet, theater, and more. In addition, the center holds various art exhibitions from time to time.
At the Complejo Tango, there is also an opportunity to learn tango steps, with a free tango lesson an hour before the official performance. The performers will also encourage the audience to dance with them during the performance.
Tango ROJO is more expensive, but the professionalism of the show is top-notch. The hall offers 120 seats. The performance is choreographed according to the history of tango development. The musical team is also composed of musicians of the highest level.
You can often see street tango shows in Boca. Though not as professional as the ones at the theatrs or cultural centers, there is often a unique flavor. Some of the dancers are young and some are quite old, but it’s the same passion and joy.
To the end of the world
The southernmost island in the world, belonging to Argentina in the east and Chile in the west, was named “Tierra del Fuego” by the navigator Magellan. Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region, is often referred to as the end of the world and the gateway to Antarctica. Cruise ships can only enter the Antarctica from November to February each year. Advertisements for “special Antarctic tours promotion”are seen everywhere in Ushuaia.
The blue sea in the near distance and the glaciers and snow-capped peaks in the far compose a fascinating picture Ushuaia. The small town set against mountains and facing the sea is full of life, decorated with colorful houses with spires or flat roofs. Say hello to the sea birds at the port, breathe in the Antarctic sea breeze, and then enjoy the local specialty of king crab (SENTOLLA), or buy some chocolates with maté tea at Laguna Negra Chocolates to start a nice afternoon tea time. The small town is not too big and can be explored on foot. The Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa on top of a small hill is the best hotel in the area, overlooking the whole city.
Catch a vintage train at El Tren del Fin del Muncle (the train station at the end of the world), and enjoy the waterfalls, rivers and forests along the way, finally arriving at Tierra del Fuego National Park. Lakes, snow-capped mountains, meadows, and primeval forests make up this beautiful park. The flaming red leaves spectacularly cover the mountains in autumn. Breathe in the pure air and feel the whole world recede to quietness.
The park is home to the famous “southernmost post office on earth”, a small containerized post office set on a trestle bridge reaching out to the sea, with the Argentine flag flying from the roof as its distinctive symbol. The small room is filled with all kinds of vintage objects, from oil lamps to nautical charts and portraits of Madame Perón and Che Guevara. People flock to the house to send a postcard with the “the end of the world” logo on it.
Take a catamaran from the Ushuaia pier to the Beagle Channel, home to the Les Eclaireurs, once again known as the “southernmost lighthouse in the world”. As the boat sails into the sea, snow-capped mountains and towns fade into the distance, while seagulls and albatrosses follow along. It takes about one hour to reach the destination. This 10-meter tall lighthouse has been guiding ships entering the Beagle Channel for nearly 100 years. The rocks below the lighthouse are densely populated with seabirds. After taking a photo with the lighthouse, you can also go to the nearby Penguin Island and Sea Lion Island to get close to the cute animals.
Back in the city center, looking at this pretty little town, it might be hard to imagine that it was a city built by prisoners. Ushuaia was originally a place of exile for prisoners, where they felled, carried and built.
After enjoying the beauty of Ushuaia, take a cruise to the true southernmost point of the earth – Antarctica…
