City Introduction

Brussel (French: Bruxelles; Dutch: Brussel) is the capital and the largest city of Belgium. Additionally, offices of over 200 international administrative centers and over 1,000 official organizations have been established here. Various kinds of international meetings are convened here every year.

Brussel lies alongside the Seine River. To the north is the flat Frand Plain and to the south is the hilly Brabond Mesa with an average elevation of 58 meters. The uptown, built along the slope, is the administrative district. There exists the Palace with an architectural style of Louis Seize, Royal Square, Egmont Palace, Royal Library, Modern and Ancient Art Museum. The “Grand Square” in city center is surrounded by numerous medieval Gothic architectures, among which the town hall is relatively more magnificent. City of Brussel in the capital district of Brussel possesses the most exquisite buildings and museums around Europe. The skyscrapers and the medieval historic buildings bring out the best in each other. Surrounding the palace, the whole city was built along the “Petit Ring” and walking tour is mostly favored.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Lying alongside the Seine, Brussel, standing on the trade route among Brugge, Ghent and Kolner, soon developed into a commercial center. In the 11th century, the city wall was built. From 1356 to 1383, the second rush of city wall construction was raised for further expansion. Gradually, Brussel developed into the political and commercial center among developed Low Countries and continued its fast pace of development. In August 1830, the public of Brussel launched the revolution to fight against the Dutch rulers. On July 21st, 1831, Leopold I ascend the throne in Brussel, who is the first king of Belgium, and started large-scale city construction. In the city of Brussel, there exists over 40 museums, including Brussel Museum of Modern Art, Royal Art Museum of Belgium (Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België), etc. All sorts of classics by various styles of artists have been collected there. The specialty foods of Brussel include the waffle, chocolate, chips and numerous tastes of beer. The broccoli, which was firstly cultivated in Brussel, has been named “Brussel Broccoli”. As regards to language, French is the mother language for most of the Brussel as well as an advantaged language of this city. As indicated by the data from Brussel Archives, French was spoken by local rulers before it was popularized. Nevertheless, Dutch was still most commonly used among local administrative organizations. Since 1880, more and more Dutch users began to speak both languages. And finally after 1910, French-only users began to increase. Till 1950s, the number of French-only users exceeded that of bilingual users.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Two thirds of the land areas in Belgium are covered by hills and flat lowlands, the lowest point of which is a little lower than sea level. The whole border of the country have been divided into three parts, including the Flanders Plain on the coastal region in the northwest, the hills in the middle and the Aden Plateau in the southeast. The highest altitude is 694 meters. Terrains are flat on western plains with plentiful rivers and abundant irrigation while the Aden Mountain with higher forest coverage rate elevates the terrain in the east.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Warm and humid, Brussel belongs to temperate maritime climate. The average annual temperature is 10℃ and annual precipitation meets 835 mm. The climate in Belgium is maritime foliage forest climate of temperate zone with four distinct seasons. The best time for tourism is in spring and autumn. Spring lasts from March 21st to June 21st with the temperature ranging from 7℃ to 20℃; Summer lasts from June 21st to September 21st with the temperature ranging from 15℃ to 35℃; Autumn lasts from September 21st to December 21st with the temperature ranging from 0℃ to 20℃; Winter lasts from December 21st to March 21st of the following year with the temperature ranging from -15℃ to 10℃.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Network

Most hotels in Belgium provide internet access, including WIFI, many of which have additional charges. The charges have been clearly described on the website when you book the hotel online. The paid network provided by Belgcom or Telenet, are available at some public place, such as the airport, railway station, etc. It can be paid by credit card at the expense of 3 euros per hour or 4.9 euros per day.

Some cafes and bars also provide free WIFI, especially in those where young people gather. Sometimes, the reminder of Free WIFI will be indicated outside. Visitors may inquire the waiter/waitress for the user name and password.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Visa Application Service Center Address: 109 Rue Neerveld, Woluwe Saint-Lambert, 1200 Bruxelles

Opening Time: Monday to Friday 9:00-15:00 (Application Submission) 9:00-16:00 (Document Collection)

Phone (visa application): 0032-27750888 ( Monday to Friday: 9:00-16:00)

Phone (passport and notarization & authentication): 0032-26633001, 0032-26633004 (Tuesday/Thursday: 14:30-16:30)

Address:443-445 Ave. de Tervuren,1150 Woluwe Saint- Pierre

Monday to Friday 9:00-11:30 (excluding holidays and festivals )

Tel:+32-476751182

Website:http://www.chinaembassy-org.be/chn

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

1. One original of valid new (old) passport and one photocopy, with a validity period of over half a year and signature on the last page. Two complete copies shall be submitted (excluded the blank pages in the passport) and at least three blank pages shall be left.

2. One front-and-back photocopy of Identification Card and Temporary Residential Permit.

3. Personal Data Sheet

4. Supporting Document for traveling purposes (i.e. the itinerary) and any specific information about your planned trip (i.e. hotel reservation form or other accommodation certificate)

5. Certificate of sufficient fixed income, including the house ownership certificate, motor vehicle certificate, stocks, securities, etc.

6. Bank statement within the last three months of visa application submission and valid credit card or traveler’s check for your trip.

7. Notarization of Monthly Income Certificate issued by your current working unit

8. House Ownership Certificate or Rental Contract

9. Round-trip air ticket order

10. Notarization of leave permit issued by your working unit: the name of the applicant, and his/her position, and the approved leave for visiting the relatives in Belgium as well as the leave duration must be clearly indicated or Notarization of leave permit issued by your current school: the name of the applicant and the approve leave for visiting the relatives in Belgium as well as the leave duration must be clearly indicated or Notarization of Retirement or Unemployment, etc.

11. Original copy of Insurance Policy (the insured period shall be 2 days longer than intended arrival date), valid medical insurance covering your stay in Schengen countries with at least RMB 300,000 insured amount.

12. The consulate of Belgium is entitled to require further supporting documents accordingly.

Please note: All notarizations issued by China’s notary offices shall be notarized by foreign affairs offices in each province before its authentication by the embassy and consulates of Belgium. The period of validity for all notarizations is six months only since its issuance.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Tourists are recommended to exchange sufficient euro before their trip to Europe and all major banks in China have euro reserves. Please prepare euros with face value of 100 or less since most sellers would not like to accept euros of higher face value. Currency exchanges are available in the airport, railway station and downtown tourist area in Brussel. However, the handling charge is higher and there may exist a 10% price difference between the buying rate and the middle rate. Exchange companies include Travelex, Goffin Exchange, D.M.E. Change and Gold & Forex International (GFI), etc.

UnionPay

Domestic Unionpay cards are applicable on all ATMs with Unionpay symbols. Some ATMs of Belgian banks do not accept Unionpay cards, especially in non-tourist areas. Therefore, please dray money from ATMs around the Brussel railway station and airport. The highest amount for single withdrawal is 500 euros and some handling fees would be charged by the bank for each transaction. It is safe to draw money with Unionpay cards so that you do not need to take too much cash with you.

Credit Card

Credit cards are widely used and accepted by most shops. Excluding some small shops (please inquire before payment). For any payment less than 20 euros, they may charge some handling fees. Please prepare some cashes.

Tips

No tips are required in most restaurants here.

 

 

 

 

Religion

The principle religion in Belgium is Catholicism and the disciples possess 75% to 80% of its population. Only 10% to 20% of them go to church regularly. Other religions include Islam, Protestantism and Judaism.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Emergency Call / Fire Alarm 100

Police 101

International Emergency Call (ambulance, fire alarm, assistance and police) 112

Bank Card and Credit Card Cancellation 070 34 43 44

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. Brussel is a safe city on the whole but some areas are not so safe. Please keep yourself away from the following areas at night: Schaarbeek, Brussel North, St-Josse, Marollen, Anneessens, Molenbeek and Anderlecht

2. Please be alert to thieves in tourist areas, railway station and metro station. Sometimes the thieves may pretend to ask about the time or address to divert your attention.

3. Please keep yourself away from the Brussel Midi-Zuid at night. The public security of this area is quite poor at night.

4. 4. Please confirm the price on the menu before ordering because a few restaurants may charge incredibly high prices. A bottle of 1-litre spring water may be sold at the price of 7 euros, which only costs 70 cents in the supermarket.

5. Please be alert when you have dinner in Italian restaurants. Service charges may not be included on the price list in some restaurants. However, it has been included in most Brussel restaurants. Some tourists have been defrauded in some of those restaurants. The price on the menu is much higher than that on the advertisement on the show-window. Therefore, please pay close attention to the price on the menu.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Dates of Flower-de-luce Day: The first Saturday and Sunday in May

Flower-de-luce is the city flower of Brussel. This festival is to memorize the independence of Brussel. On the first Saturday and Sunday in every May, celebration activities are held on the streets, especially the free music festival. On these days, the Brussel Congress is open to the public.

Dates of Flower Carpet Festival: The third week in August (even years only)

Visitors can see a big flower carpet on the Grand Square, which is 77 meters in length and 24 meters in width. The topic of each Flower Carpet Festival varies and so does the patter design. The first Flower Carpet Festival took place in 1971 and spread among cities in Belgium thereafter.