City Introduction

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. It is situated in the southwest corner of Geneva Lake. The large fountain on the lake is the symbol of Geneva. The lakes and mountains in Geneva are attractive in four seasons, and Geneva is also the international city for the gathering of international institutions. Geneva is famous in the world because of its deep humanistic tradition, wonderful cultural activities, important meetings and exhibitions, delicious foods, refreshing suburban scenes and many tourism items and sports facilities. Geneva is the watch and clock capital of the world. The watch and clock industry and the banking industry are two spiritual pillars for Geneva.

Geneva is a famous international city. Between two world wars, the headquarters of League of Nations were founded here. Today, many international organizations have their headquarters or offices established in Geneva, including the headquarters of International Committee of the Red Cross. The organizations belonging to the UN include World Health Organization (WHO) and others. In the evaluation of the world’s best cities to live in 2006, Geneva ranked No. 2.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Due to the religious reform led by Calvin and others, Geneva was likened as “Protestant Rome”. In the sixteenth century, Geneva was the center of Calvin Protestantism; and St. Peter Cathedral in the old downtown area of Geneva was the church for Calvin. During the period of Mary I of England, the Protestants were severely prosecuted. A large number of Protestant scholars escaped to Geneva, including William Whittingham subsequently supervising the translation of the Bibles and his coauthors Miles Coverdale, Christopher Goodman, Anthony Gilby, Thomas Sampson and William Cole.

For the people in Geneva, the Escalade event symbolized their independence. It symbolized the shattering of the desire that several Dukes of Savoy attempted to swallow Geneva and take it as the capital on the north of the Alps. The Escalade event gave them a full stop to their trans-century series attacks. The final attack happened on December 11-12, 1602. It was said that the citizens gave fierce resistance and even threw the pots and kettles to the invaders. Finally the Duke of Savoy failed. This day is fixed as the Escalade Festival. Every year, the cavalcade is held in the old downtown area of Geneva, when is celebrated by the soldiers dressed with the costumes in that period in the procession ceremony with cannons.

City Positioning

Famous international city. Geneva enjoys high reputation in the world mainly because of many international organizations here, including Geneva Office of the UN.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Geneva Lake flows from the southwest corner into Rhone River. Geneva is surrounded by two mountains, that is, the Alps and Jura Mountain. The area of the Geneva Lake belonging to the Geneva State is 38km2, and this part is usually called “Petit Lac”. Geneva State has only 4.5km border contiguous with other states. In the 107.5km boundary line, 103km is contiguous with France. Ain Province is on the north, and Haute-Savoie Province is on the south. The second largest river in Geneva is River Arve, which flows from the downtown area slightly westward into Rhone River.

 

 

 

 

Climate

In Switzerland, annual average temperature is 8.6°C. In the middle of Switzerland, the average temperature in January is about 0°C, and in the regions other than the mountain regions, the average temperature in July is about 20°C. In the mountain regions, the atmospheric temperature decreases with the increase of the altitude. But in the valley zones, the temperature inversion easily happens in the winter. The position has certain effect on atmospheric temperature in some regions, and the temperature in the southward slope is higher than that in the valley zone and northward slope. The annual precipitation in Switzerland is 1,000-2,000mm.

Major Tourism Resources

Geneva is famous in the world because of its deep humanistic tradition, wonderful cultural activities, important meetings and exhibitions, delicious foods, refreshing suburban scenes and many tourism items and sports facilities. Geneva is the watch and clock capital of the world. The watch and clock industry and the banking industry are two spiritual pillars for Geneva. Geneva is the gathering place of main theatrical performances, and international performers regularly perform the music and operas in the major theaters. Geneva is the intersection point of the world, more than 200 international important institutions were set up in Geneva, including The United Nations Office at Geneva, International Labor Organization, International Red Cross, World Scout Bureau in Geneva, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. So it may be said as an international political, economic and cultural center. Every year, hundreds of meetings, exhibitions and celebrations are held here, attracting the guests from the world. It is honored as “Capital of Peace” by the world.

Famous landscapes in Geneva include flower clock, Geneva Museum of Art and History (MAH), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and Palace of Nations (The United Nations Office at Geneva). The most conspicuous sign in Geneva is the fountain in Geneva Lake, the old downtown area of Geneva is also a distinctive tourist site, and it is possible to walk in the narrow street or have a look at St. Peter's Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Network

Most airports, railway stations and public libraries (free) and hotels provide the computer service for internet access. The coffee halls in multiple cities are equipped with the internet terminals. There are free 3G networks in most public facilities. There are not many free Wifi networks in the public places, and theoretically speaking, only MacDonald provide free Wifi internet access in the downtown area. Most restaurants, bars, coffee bars and hotels provide free wireless network service, and possibly you’d ask the servant to provide the wireless network password.

Post Office

In Switzerland. the post office and post box are marked as bright yellow, indicating the words “Die Post”, “La Post” or “La Posta” in black, with hollow red cross by the side. Generally speaking, the business offices can be found beside the railway station and in the downtown area, and the business time varies according to the size of the city, generally opening at 9:00a.m., noon break at 12:00a.m.-13:30 p.m., closing at 17:30 p.m.. The postage for mailing the post card back to China is 1.9 CHF. You may place the post card attached with the stamp into the yellow mailbox in the street, and some mailboxes will distinguish the local and outside mails. The large post offices not only handle the letters, post cards and packages, but also sell the articles, such as mobile phone and tourism guide. If there is the machine for number generation at the entrance, you’d make sure to wait till your own number appears on the electronic display screen, and then go to the counter for handling your business. The postage for mailing the post card back to China is 1.9 CHF (3 to 5 days), and the postage for slower delivery is 1.6 CHF (7 to 15 days). The interested friends may the website of Swiss Post www.post.ch, to make your personalized stamp with your photos.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Embassy of China in Switzerland

Embassy Address: Kalcheggweg 10, 3006 Bern (not accepting the consular business application)

Contact Tel.: 031 352 7333

Fax: 031 351 4573

Webpage: http://ch.china-embassy.org

E-mail: china-embassy@bluewin.ch

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Original of the passport:

The passport with the validity period over six months; 2. Please sign on the end page of the passport (Chinese name) 3. The passport shall have at least 2 consecutive blank pages (this page and the back of this page) 4. In case of changing the passport, it is required to present the photos in the originals of all old passports; Three 2-inch photos in color taken within last six months with white background

Name card: 2 pieces

ID card: One front-and-back photocopy of Identification Card

Household register Original and one copy of the household register for the family

Temporary Residential Permit: In case of staying other than in Guangdong management zone (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan), it is required to provide the original and one copy of temporary residential permit

Marriage certificate: One copy of the marriage certificate (if married)

Business license: Copy of the Chinese company business license with company seal.

Letter for vacation:

1. One letter for vacation in English from the company 2. It should include the company address, telephone number, fax number, visit goal, certification for the vacation approval, stay time, guarantee of return to China as scheduled, the name, gender, passport number, birthday, title and monthly salary of the applicant 3. It shall be printed in the letter paper with the company head, including signature of the related personnel in charge, and the economic support certificate affixed with the seal of the company;

Bank deposit statement in recent 3-6 months, bank deposit certification or international credit card

Other information:

1. Detailed schedule (including the stay in other countries)

2. The certificate of retirement to be provided the retired

3. Declaration for leaving Switzerland in case that the visa expires

4. Every applicant has the medical insurance covering the whole journey

5. Confirmation letter by fax for hotel booking and the paid expenses (to be sent by the Swiss hotel to the embassy/ consulate in Switzerland and to the applicant, one for each)

6. Flight ticket order

7. Fill in one table of personal information. Notes: The above documents shall be translated into English, French, German or Italian

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Bank Opening Time: Monday to Friday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm Thursday: 10:00 am-4:00/5:30 pm

The universal currency in Switzerland is Swiss Franc (CHF), and most commercial places accept the payment in Euro, credit card and bank card. Small shops have certain restriction on the payment with credit card, for example, the consumption amount shall be higher than 30CHF.

UnionPay

100% ATMs in Switzerland accept UnionPay cards, and the screen indicates the UnionPay mark. Some automatic ticket sellers can accept UnionPay, but to very limited extent.

Credit Card

The payment system in Switzerland is very developed, and most stores and supermarkets support the payment with credit card and debit card. But you’d ask whether the handling fee will be charged before the payment with credit card. Large shopping malls and supermarkets accept the payment in Euro, but the change will be given in CHF, but there will be certain loss with respect to the exchange rate. US dollars are not universal here. Credit Cards are widely accepted (Master card, Visa, American Express).

Tips

In Switzerland, in the restaurants, bars and coffee shops, tip is not mandatory, but it is recommended to give the tip of 2%-10% according to the service quality.

 

 

 

 

Religion

In Switzerland, 38.6% of the residents believe in Catholicism, about 28% believe in Protestantism, about 11.3% believe in other religions, and about 20.1% do not believe in any religion.

Tourism Service Number

In emergency, such as first-aid, alarm, fire alarm, hazard on the air and in the ocean, and in case of requesting the mountain patrolling team, or requesting the priest, the telephone number is 112. This emergency call may be served in English.

117 - Police 118 - Fire Alarm 140 - Vehicle Breakdown 144 - Ambulance 145 - Poisoning First-Aid 112 - Others

 

 

 

 

Notes

In the rush hours (7:00-8:00; 16:00-18:00), the train from Genève to Montreux is very crowding, and occasionally some passengers cannot get on the train from Geneva to Lausanne in the time of going off work. It is required to avoid such time periods.

It is not recommended to have meals in the local Chinese restaurants.

With respect to the medical services in Switzerland, after going to see the doctor, the medical service fees shall be paid in advance by the tourists, and then will be compensated by the insurance company. It is required to communicate with the medical personnel and insurance company in a timely manner before seeing the doctor.

The drugstore with medical practice license is given with one green cross sign. In most supermarkets, it is possible to purchase the common drugs, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and antitussive. The chain drugstores include Apoteket and so on.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Date of St. Joseph's Day: March 19

Date of Geneva International Motor Show: Every March

Geneva International Motor Show ranking No. 5 in the world will make the automobile manufacturers, famous cars, beauties and handsome men from the world get together.

Address: Palexpo, Case postale 112, Grand-Saconnex/Genève (beside Geneva International Airport)

Means of arrival: It is possible to take Line 5 and take off in PALEXPO Station; or take the railway, Line 10, 23, 57 to Geneva International Airport, and walk seven minutes to the exhibition hall. Month

Date of Pentecost (Whit Sunday): June 8

Date of Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ: June 4

Date of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Every August 15

Date of Geneva Fast Day: The first Thursday of every September January

Date of All Saints' Day: Every November 1 February

Date of New Year’s Eve/Revival Day: December 31, an official festival, when all stores and supermarkets stop the business