A vibrant cosmopolitan city, located on the magnificent Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is the state capital and cultural heart of Victoria. There is much to love about Melbourne. This sophisticated world city in the south-east corner of mainland Australia inspires a deep passion in those lucky enough to live here. Melburnians love the city's vibrant energy, staggering choice of restaurants, funky boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, luscious parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character.

ID：00109762-00201 Melbourne scenery　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Wang Shaochang

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is a relatively modern city which is less than 200 years old and never sits still. New futuristic designs add to the fascinating mix of architecture and ensure the skyline is constantly changing. Melbourne is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to residents that their city has been ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Residents enjoy a mild temperate climate, clean air and excellent quality water. Melbourne is Australia's safest capital city and enjoys a safe and comfortable lifestyle envied by the rest of the world.

ID：109762-00205 Melbourne scenery　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Wang Shaochang

All state roads lead into the city and Victoria's unique geography means that it is possible to spend the morning on the coast, ski in the afternoon in the Victorian Alps and enjoy an aperitif at a winery before returning to Melbourne to take in a show at one of the many theatres.

The city has four distinct seasons, and usually enjoys a temperate climate of mild temperatures. Numerous gardens and parks give a pleasant, open feel to the city, whose skyline mixes elegant spires with dazzling modern skyscrapers, which dwarf the elegant Victorian-era buildings dotted along leafy streets. However, the city is defined more by its diverse population than by its architecture.

ID：109762-00173 Melbourne scenery　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Wang Shaochang

Immigration at the end of World War II transformed Melbourne into a thriving cultural melting pot, totalling over three million people, with sizeable Italian, Greek and Chinese communities each carving out their own quarter. In fact, large-scale immigration has made Melbourne home to the largest Greek community outside Greece, and the influx of Vietnamese and Lebanese has contributed to Melbourne's claim to be the cultural capital of Australia. The introduction of European and Asian communities has resulted in an eclectic and energetic blend of theatre, music, art and literature.

ID：109762-00201 Melbourne scenery　　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Wang Shaochang

The international population has also brought a wealth of different cuisines, served up in a wide range of restaurants, from the outdoor cafés along the Crown Promenade overlooking the Yarra River, to the pizzerias in Carlton, the Chinese banquet halls in Chinatown and the fine seafood restaurants in trendy St Kilda Beach. (CCNPIC Peter Meng)