City Introduction

Copenhagen (Danish:København; English:Copenhagen), is the capital, the largest city and the largest port of Denmark (also the largest in Northern Europe). It is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Denmark. The city is situated on the eastern coast of Zealand, which is separated from Malmö, the third largest city of Sweden by Øresund Strait.

Copenhagen was once selected by United Nations Human Settlements Programme as “the most liveable city” and rated “World's best design city”. Denmark’s major industries such as food, shipbuilding, mechanical, and electronic industries cluster here, and many important international conferences are also held here.

Copenhagen is a traditional trade and shipping center as well as a new emerging manufacturing city. 1/3 of factories of the country are built in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen city is beautiful and clean. New emerging large industrial enterprises mixed with the ancient buildings of the Middle Ages make it look both modern and antique. It is a world’s famous historic and cultural city. Copenhagen's landmark, the Little Mermaid Statue, ponders silently by the sea, and fairytale old castles, together with the near and palace, are located in this city, which make it ancient, miraculous, artistic and modern.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

In the 12th century, people built a castle in the Øresund region, for the purpose of protecting a small port leading to Sweden. This castle, together with the nearby residential areas, was called KøbmandensHavn (the Port of Merchant). Later this small port was renamed Copenhagen. Copenhagen obtained right to the city in 1254. In 1369, Hanseatic League regarded this emerging city as a competitor, and destroyed both the city and the castle. In 1416, Danish King moved his seat to this newly-built Copenhagen and in 1443, formally moved the capital from Roskilde to here. Copenhagen form is shaped as a result of being a regional center in several centuries. Copenhagen is divided into several districts, each of which was formed in different ages and has their own characteristics. Copenhagen is characterized by numerous parks, and most streets have separate bike lanes. Andersen spent most of his lifetime here and many of his works were written here. Copenhagen boasts fairytale castles and palaces, villages and manors.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Copenhagen is located in the Zealand, the largest island of Denmark, which is separated from Malmö by the sea. A small part of the city is located in the Amager. Copenhagen city is beautiful and clean. New emerging large industrial enterprises mixed with the ancient buildings of the Middle Ages make it look both modern and antique.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Copenhagen has a temperate marine climate, which makes it moderate in four seasons. The highest and lowest average temperature in summer are respectively about 22℃(72℉) and 14℃(57℉), while the low temperature in winter is about 0℃(32℉). Its precipitation is concentrated but it rains at all seasons. There can be a small amount of snow in winter.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Network

In addition to the tourist centers, few public places provide free Wifi access. Trains and some buses provide free Wifi access, but visitors need to install a related software in their mobile phone before use. The download address of the software can be obtained by scanning a two-dimension code locally, and it needs to login after downloading. Mcdonald’s, KFC, etc. also provide free network access.

Post Office

The buildings bearing Post in Copenhagen are local post offices, whose business hours is 10:00-18:00 from Monday to Friday, and 10:00-14:00 on Saturday, with the Sunday for rest. But the business hours of the post office in the Central Station is much longer, i.e., 8:00-21:00 from Monday to Friday, and 10:00-16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Postcards are available in both banks and convenience stores, with the price ranging from 5-10 krones, and the postage is 14 krones for mailing it to China. Generally, visitors can buy a postcard and a stamp, and then deliver the postcard with stamp to the red mailbox by the road.

Service facilities

Generally, there will be free rest rooms near the attractions or in the malls. But some places will also charge, such as the rest rooms in the Central Station, generally 5 krones.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Address:

Øregårdsvaenget 5, 2900 Hellerup

Opening Time:

Consulate department: From Monday to Friday a.m. 09: 00-12: 00 (responsible for passport, visa, notarization, certification, etc.)

Other departments: From Monday to Friday a.m. 09:00-12:00 - p.m.14:00-17:00

Tel:(+45)39460889, Sunday: (+45)39460890, Consular Protection Tel.: (+45)40764204

Website:http://www.chinaembassy.dk

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Required information

1.Member list of tourist group, including passport number, identity card, and copy of Registered Permanent Residence. (Danish or English version is required);

2.Detailed scheduling (Danish or English), including round-trip flight information, the name, address, telephone and fax of each hotel to be stayed by the group, date of arrival and departure, means of transportation between tourist spots, etc.;

Confirmation of round-trip (China - an European place - China) ticks booking of the group issued by the airline company (member list is required to be attached);

3.Name of the leader of tourist group;

4.Name and specific contact information of the European travel agency designated for the cooperation;

5.Certification issued by this designated European travel agency, confirming that in the scheduling of tourist group, the accommodation and transportation arrangement in Europe will be applicable to every member;

6.Each member should provide: a visa application form filled in completely and signed personally, and a passport photo.

7.Each member should hold: a passport, and a valid visa at least remaining 90 valid days, and the copy of first page of passport;

8.Each member should hold: travel insurance of the relevant Schengen countries (no less than 30,000 euros, with the same validity as that of the visa, underwriting the fees for repatriation due to any emergency medical treatment or medical reason);

9.Each member should provide: financial guarantee, i.e., certificate of bank saving;

10.Each member should provide: letter of certification of his or her organization or company (company’s address, telephone, fax, affixed with common seal, name and title of the signatory), indicating: member’s post, salary, certificate of leave for travel, confirming that the employment relationship continues after he or she comes back to China.

11.The application materials listed from item 1) to item 5) should be signed by the legal representative of travel agency that files these materials.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Denmark’s currency is the Danish krone, basically equivalent to RMB in exchange rate; its unit is krone or Kr.

Copenhagen has many money exchanges, such as bank or Money Change. As the later one is lower in rate, it is recommended to exchange money in bank.

UnionPay

Union Pay is seldom used, but few luxury stores have Union Pay POS, such as famous watch stores. There is no ATM to withdraw deposit.

Credit Card

Visa and Master cards are widely used. Master deposit card cannot be used in some occasions, such as the consumption in the plane.

Drawback

Copenhagen’s tax rate can be up to 20%. If you are a tourist outside the EU countries, remember to claim the tax return form for the shopping of over 300 krones. In addition to watch whose tax can be directly returned in its store, the tax of other goods should be returned with the customs. Carry valuables with you at any time, because their sampling rate is relatively high. One other thing to note is that the tax refund can only be handled for the goods purchased within three months before departure.

 

 

 

 

Religion

The church of Denmark is the Christian Evangelical Lutheran church, and about 95% of the population are the members of this church, with less Catholicism and Islam members.

Tourism Service Number

Emergency call, police and fire telephone: 112

 

 

 

 

Notes

1.Denmark is a country where the gay marriage is legal. So behave yourself well when you run into gays or enter a gay gathering place. Do not have negative speech or behavior.

2.Subway and train tickets will be randomly checked. Remember to buy the tick or punch the card before boarding. Fare dodging will be fined of 100 euros, and a record will be left. 4. Copenhagen’s road is divided into motor lane, bus lane and bike lane from the inside to the outside. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the bike lane from the pavement. As the speed of the bike is often fast, so avoid walking on the bike lane, for fear of an traffic accident. You need to stretch out your hands when you want to make a turn in riding a bike, left hand for left turn and right hand for right turn.

3.Almost no shopping mall and supermarket are open on Sunday and during local holidays. So please note the date when you plan to go shopping. 24-hour supermarket is few. So please go to the supermarket before nine at night if you need to buy food or other articles in the supermarket.

4.Northern Europe’s prices of commodities are very high. So you are not recommended to buy a lot. But tourists (with tourist visa) outside the EU countries can apply for tax refund for the shopping in Denmark. So remember to claim the tax return form for the shopping in the mall. People with long term visa in EU countries can also buy non-discount goods at a ten percent cut in the mall with the passport of non-EU countries.

5.Credit-card shopping is very popular, mainly using Visa and Master credit cards. Union Pay can be used in few occasions.

6.Denmark is a country with the strictest food safety system. Tap water can be directly drink (except for hot water), and vegetables or fruits brought can also be directly eaten.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Copenhagen Sand Sculpture Festival Date: From May 25 to August 31

A new activity is held at a port near the Nyhavn, which is not very large. You can visit it if you are interested in it.

Ticket: 50 krones for adults, 25 krones for children, free for Copenhagen card holders

Constitution Day (Danish National Day): June 5

The Danish constitution was officially signed on this day of 1849.

Copenhagen Custom Festival: Friday to Sunday of the second week in October

Copenhagen Custom Festival is a festival that can make visitors know more about Copenhagen’s history, culture, art, and food. Visitors can buy a festival badge and get a introduction manual in a library or the railway station during the festival. With this badge, visitors can take the city buses and visit several public museums free of cost. Churches in the city will also provide musical programs, different in performance everyday. Visitors who like culture and art can save lots of money at the end of the week. It is said that some Michelin-starred restaurants will also launch some tasting menus at an approachable price. The badges of the custom festival usually sell out on Friday. So remember to buy it in advance if you want to participate in the activity.