City Introduction

Zurich undoubtedly ranks among top three in terms of the consumption level in the world in any ages. But in addition to the highly developed economy and completed infrastructural facilities, few people know that Einstein’s school --- the world famous Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, is located here. It was also the birthplace of Dadaism at the beginning of last century. Even though Zurich is a metropolitan of Switzerland, it is just an unimpressive “small village” in Europe both in terms of area and population. Its area is just equivalent to 1/200 of Beijing, and it is also far smaller than its surrounding countries’ large cities, such as Paris and Berlin. However, such concentrated scale does not blur out its charm, and on the contrary, it displays its personality by virtue of unique favorable climatic, geographic and human conditions.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

During the reign of Roman Empire (Roman Gaul period), Zurich (Latin name: Turicum at that time) belonging to Gallia Belgica (from AD 90), was a tax-collecting point at the border of Gallia Belgica and Raetia for goods trafficked on the Limmat river. In 1045, German king and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry III (i.e., Bavaria Duke of Henry VI) granted the convent the right to hold markets, collect tolls, and mint coins, and thus effectively made the abbess the ruler of the city. In 1218, with the extinction of the main line of the Zähringer family, Zurich became became an Imperial immediacy. During the Roman Empire, Zurich was a major tax-collecting point for the goods transported to the Empire by water, and later, it became a territory of the Holy Roman Empire. In1218, it became an Imperial free city, in 1351, it joined the Old Swiss Confederacy and became its fifth state, in 1440, it was disestablished by the Old Swiss Confederacy due to the war caused by the land disputes with other states, in 1446, it was defeated in civil war, and in ,1450, it was admitted by the Old Swiss Confederacy again. In September6, 1839the city had to yield to the demands of its citizens after the Züriputsch. The enclosure which was built in the17thcentury were torn down without besieged, to allay rural concerns over the city's hegemony. In 1859, the Treaty of Zurich between Austria, France, and Sardinia was signed. From 1847, the Spanisch-Brötli-Bahn, the first railway on Swiss territory, connected Zürich with Baden, putting the Zürich Hauptbahnhof at the origin of the Swiss rail network. The present building of the Hauptbahnhof (the main railway station) can date to 1871.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Switzerland is a mountainous country, and roads in Zurich are up and down, like mini hillsides. The urban area is very small. Through vehicles are often available from A to B, and it is no more than 20 minutes on foot (unless vehicles are specially indicated for travel).

 

 

 

 

Climate Change

Zurich enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which is pleasant throughout the year, with the annual precipitation of 1,500mm and annual average temperature of 8.6℃. Located in the north, Zurich’s temperature is low. It is about 18℃ in the short summer, and the temperature difference between day and night. Even warm clothes is needed in summer travel. However, its temperature is about zero in the coldest February.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

The public transportation operates from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and additional ticket for night is needed after 1:00 a.m.. One ticket per person for the transfer at night. www.zvv.ch/en Ticket checking on the buses of Zurich is rare, but do not take chances to travel without ticket. If you are caught without ticket, you will be fined (100 Swiss franc, and your ID will be permanently put on record.)

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Switzerland Visa belongs to Schengen visa. The appointment system has been executed for visa application. The Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing, and Consulate Generals of Switzerland in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong has implemented appointment system for visa application since May 1, 2012. The embassy and consulate generals hope that they can provide better services through a call center, to meet the increasing visa requirements of the applicants. Handling procedures: You can obtain all the information related to the appointment procedure on the website of TLScontact. The opening time of the call center and TLScontact voice message service: Monday to Friday 08:30-12:00; 13:15-16:30 Call center telephone (mainland China): +86400-067-0560 Call center telephone (Hong Kong, Mongolia, overseas): +85265153879

1. A full filled application Schengen visa form for visiting friends and relatives in a short time.

2. Two 2cun photos. The photo should comply with the following requirements:

3. Original of passport or travel document and a copy of status page.

4. Original of ID card and its copy (copy both front and back).

5. Household register original and the copy of all content pages.

6. Travel health insurance with the coverage at least 30,000 euros.

The insurance should cover the whole travelling time in the Schengen Area (until local European time 24:00 on the day you leave the Schengen Area). The insurance should cover all the cost for return due to any medical reasons, emergency treatment, hospitalization by emergency, or death. Please provide the original and a copy of the policy (the policy should be printed, and a handwritten one is not acceptable).

Please note that: You should carry the original of policy in case of inspection when you enter a Schengen country. If you fail to do so, you will be rejected to enter the country. 7. Bank records of the applicant in recent three to six months. Certificate of deposit is not needed. 8. If the applicant is employed, please present the original of a letter of certification issued by the company or organization where the applicant works. This letter can be written in English or Chinese attached with an English version.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged in large banks and at the stations, such as UBS, Credit Suisse, ZKB or Raiffeisen Bank; their exchange rates of major currencies have not much difference. As the substantial devaluation of Euro in a short time caused the unprecedented appreciation of Swiss franc some time ago, which impacted domestic economy, the exchange rate between the Euro and Swiss franc is forcefully controlled between 1.2 and 1.25. In the light of present situation, the loss will be minimal if you exchange your Euro with Swiss franc. In some cities, the Bank will remain open till 6 o’clock. All banks will be closed on weekends and during public holidays. Generally, the banks at the airports, wharfs, or major railway stations will remain open late.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Please call 112 in case of emergency situations, such as first-aid, alarm, fire, aerial and marine distress, or for patrol group or priest. This emergency number provides English telephone service. 117 - Police 118 - Fire 140 - Vehicle break down 144 - Ambulance 145- Poisoning 112 - Others affair.

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. Switzerland's customs have certain restrictions and provisions on the food, animals and plants, tobacco, and alcohol carried by entry-exit passengers, and drugs and guns and ammunition are prohibited. 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500g of tobacco, and 2 bottles of wine are duty free for entry.

2. The amount of foreign currencies is not restricted in entry, but tourists can only carry 6,000 CHF and foreign currencies or traveler's cheque equivalent to 25,000 CHF when leave. If you need to carry more money when you leave, you must apply for that upon entry.