City Introduction

Amsterdam is honoured as the Venice of the North, and is divided into seven regions in general. The tourist Attractions are spread in the central region. There are more than 160 canal waterways connected by more than 1,000 bridges in its urban areas. Since the whole city is 1 - 5 meters below the sea level, Amsterdam has a unique landscape where people live with river water, the city flourishes with water and people and rivers rely on each other. Amsterdam attractions are very concentrated, and walking or going by bike or by canal boat are the best means of transportation in the city. Travellers may spend one day strolling along the canal, visiting the several well-known attractions and monuments. For example, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw enjoy high rputations in Europe and even the world. Walking on the streets, you’ll find a unique landscape shaped by the locals and distinct dressing tourists of different colors or races. The streets are bustling with people while the corners are somewhat a marketplace full of peace and quietness. Here is a nice combination of an ancient history with some modern flavor, an open-minded concept with conservative thinking, and gorgeous noisy streets with quiet and tranquil canals.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

The late 19th century is the golden age of Amsterdam, when many museums, Central Station and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam were completed. Before World War I, the size of the city began to expand. After World War II, Amsterdam has been further developed. Some parks and squares as well as larger residential areas are built in its suburbs. Today, the downtown has recovered its original look in the golden age, and also becomes the Historic Preservation District of the city. There are many buildings have already been designated as heritage; for example, the Netherlands Canal is declaring for the World Heritage Site. The Concertgebouw and Orchestra in Amsterdam are both renowned. Since the 16th century, there are increasingly active cultural activities in Amsterdam. In the mid-17th century, Amsterdam established the first theater, when ballet began to flourish. The 18th century witnessed the massive rise of French theaters. In the 19th century, the popular culture representative of acrobatics and music started to gain the popularity. Later, the Netherlands Rijksmuseum and Netherlands Royal Music Hall were erected. There are many tourist attractions in Amsterdam, including the time-honored canal system, the Netherlands Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Red Light District and a lot of marijuana cafés. About 4.2 million visitors come here for sightseeing each year. As the existing largest city in Netherlands, Amsterdam has experienced the development process from a fishing village to a metropolis, and gone through ups and downs and the baptism of World War. Therefore, to some extent, the history of Amsterdam is also a miniature of the history of the Netherlands.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

As part of North Holland, Amsterdam is located in the northwest of the Netherlands, bordering on the Utrecht and Flevoland Provinces. Amstel River splits into many small canals in the downtown and eventually flows into the IJ Bay. Amsterdam has an average altitude of 2 meters. The city's topography is mostly the plains, of which there is a stretch of man-made forests in the southwest. North Sea Canal connects Amsterdam with the North Sea.

 

 

 

 

Climate Changes

Amsterdam enjoys a pleasant climate, with its weather mainly exposed to air streams from the North Sea. In Amsterdam the winter temperatures are mild, seldom lower than 0℃. Even in August the average maximum temperature is only 22℃, and there are generally only 3 hottest days with the temperature of more than 30℃. In the city there is the average of about 175 rainy days per year, but the average annual rainfall is less than 760 mm. Generally, the rainy season starts from October to March of next year, mainly in a light rain manner.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Medical Information

The Netherlands has a sound health care networks, of which the health centers and hospitals are densely distributed, and can provide primary diagnosis and treatment, and specialized care. It’s very convenient to see a doctor in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the first aid system is very developed. Simply dial 112 and you can quickly get the emergency services. Medical expense in Amsterdam is relatively higher and it’s recommended that you can buy a health insurance for yourself before traveling to it.

Post Information

Since 2011 the Netherlands have gradually canceled the post office work system, and established additional orange mailboxes and mailing counters at supermarkets, shops and streets to replace the traditional post offices. It’s advised that when buying a postcard you may also ask the vendor whether there is a stamp for it on sale.

Information of Embassy Information

The Chinese embassy is located in The Hague, 55 kilometers away from Amsterdam.

Address: Willem Lodewijklaan 10, 2517JT, The Hague (refer to the map)

Opening Time: At 9:00-12:00 from Monday to Friday

Tel: +31-070-3065091

Website: http://www.chinaembassy.nl/chn"

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Submit the following materials:

1. Completely fill out a visa application form;

2. After the holder returns to China, the remaining valid duration of the passport is for at least 90 days, and there must be at least one blank visa page in the passport;

3. A copy of the identity page of the passport;

4. If the applicant needs to pay all the expenses: Note the proof of payment that you have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the visit to the Netherlands (such as payroll, bank statements for nearly recent three months, traveler's checks and so on.); and attached their copies.

5. For the visit to parents or relatives, the applicant shall also provided a certified kinship notarial certificate;

6. For Chinese applicants, please provide: The original household register, with photocopies of each page;

7. In case of a worker, need to provide a work permit and proof of leave permit by the original unit (official headed paper, indicating the address, telephone number, fax number, contact, stamped signature and signer's post) and: Detailed Chinese address, zip code, telephone number and fax number;

8. In case of other relationships, an original certificate of proof of such relationship (photos, letters + envelopes and so on.) shall be provided;

9. Students are required to provide the student certificate and the original leave permit by their schools (official headed paper, indicating the address, telephone number, fax number, contacts, stamped signature and signer's position);

10. The original and photocopy of offshore insurance policy with the insured amount of thirty thousand euros."

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Before the visit to the Netherlands, you had better exchange euro currency at home in advance. Try to choose small denomination notes. In Europe, the 200 or 500-euro-denomination banknotes may be rejected in many shops. Amsterdam has a lot of more secure and reliable international currency exchange institutions.

UnionPay

Unionpay started its pose business in the Netherlands in July 2006. But no cash can be withdrawn from an ATM machine.

Scope of Use: Payment using CUP card can be accepted at shops with ""UnionPay"" logo. Some shops may not be marked with such logo, so you are advised to actively show CUP card and ask the cashier whether to accept it.

Credit Card

VISA and MasterCard card can be used for all Dutch ATM machines and businesses pose machines. In general, there are lower handling charges from shopping with bank cards than the cash directly withdrawn from the ATM.

Drawback

In time of shopping in Amsterdam, be sure to determine in advance whether there is a tax reimbursement for the goods, what the scope of drawback is and what the minimum consumption amount is. Tourists from non-EU countries if spending 50 euros or more in a store one day, will have the right to get the drawback. After the payment, ask the clerk to give tax refund form and check whether the receipts are complete. Don’t forget to fill in contact details and sign the tax return form. If you need to refund the amount to the designated credit card or bank account, please include the full information on the appropriate refund check, and after the customs seal is stamped, all relevant receipts are put into the tax refund envelope; seal the envelope and then put it into the mailbox.

 

 

 

 

Religious Situation

Dutch Constitution provides the freedom of religion. Roman Catholicism and Dutch Protestantism have the greatest impact on the society. About 29% of the residents believe in Catholicism, 19% Christianity, and about 6% Muslimism; and there is a certain proportion of the population considering themselves non-religious.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Telephone number for first aid, police and fire: 112

Amsterdam Police Department Phone: +31-0900-8844"

 

 

 

 

Notes

The duration from mid-March to mid-May each year is for the flowering season of Dutch tulips which is also the Dutch tourist season. (It’s recommended to go during Mid-April for the temperature in the mid-May is still low. However, the accommodation and catering prices are up at that time, try to prepare in advance for travel arrangements for a visit during the period.)

The duration from November to next March each year is the rainy season in the Netherlands, during which traveling friends need to prepare an umbrella in advance. Outdoor sportswear, and wind –resistant, warm-keeping and water-proof clothing is a preferred choice.

Dutch underground water quality is very good, and the tap water is safe to drink direct. Bottled water in the supermarket is priced at less than one euro.

Dutch supermarkets and stores are generally closed on Sundays and holidays. But from 16:00 onwards on Sunday afternoons in some cities, some supermarkets will remain open as usual. However, the shops in large and medium cities remain open on the first Sunday of every month.

After the purchase of luxury goods, expensive jewelry and branded watches, you should put them into the backpack with you. Try not to hold them in hand to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The Dutch government strictly controls and transforms the Red Light District. Please do take no photos of the window shows while traveling in its vicinity.

In case of entry into or exit from the Netherlands, please have a careful look at ""EU citizens"" and ""non-EU citizens"" channels, to avoid waiting in a wrong line.

Visitors having some US dollars still need to exchange into euros for use in Europe. This will lead to double handling fees as an uneconomical means, so you had better buy euros directly at home.

In the Netherlands, public transport (train, bus, taxi and so on) operators must ensure that the passengers are protected from tobacco while traveling in such vehicles. At present, the Netherlands has banned smoking at all train stations, including the crowd gathering places, lifts, tunnels, corridors, waiting rooms and roofed platforms. For smokers, there is a special smoking area designated on the platform, and smokers are allowed to smoke at unroofed outdoors areas.

In the Netherlands, Dutch language is widely used on the streets, shops, maps and newspapers, with little English found there. English words are rarely seen even at the toilets, and there are often no gender identity signs. So, be sure to remember these two words: HEREN-male and DAMES- women. Because of the large number of tourists, most of the restaurants have the signs and menus made in English."

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Dutch Queen’s Day on April 30

It’s a national holiday when people wearing orange clothing gather together to participate in the flea market, band performances and street parties. In case of being a Sunday, it’ll be celebrated one day in advance.

Date of Vondelpark Open-air Theatre Festival: in July and August

It will offer many different performances each day during the festival, ranging from singing and dancing performances to drama performances, and from dances to concerts.

Date of Canal Parade: the first weekend of August

It’s held at the first weekend in August, and is one of the biggest festivals in Amsterdam. In addition to parties, performances and seminars, there is a Sightworthy color boat parade on the canal on the afternoon of the Saturday.

Date of Art and Antiques Trading Season: the third week of November

Art and Antiques Trading Season is the both Netherlands' largest trading season and a national-level art and antiques trading period.

Date of Saint Nicholas Day: from November 18 to December 6

As the most important festival in the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas Day is also the largest traditional festival, and is even superior to Christmas Day and Queen's Day.