Amsterdam

Author: George MacDonald
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-03-01
Features: "The World Travel Guide" is a comprehensive, richly informative, elegantly written, and beautifully designed practical travel guide. The series is planned and published by AA Publishing Company, a renowned British publisher of maps and travel guides. In just five years of publication, the series has become a sensation in Europe and America, selling 2.5 million sets, with translations available in multiple languages including English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Zhonghua Book Company has now acquired the Chinese copyright and meticulously translated and printed the entire series in color, maintaining the same level of quality as the original, and proudly presents it to you, inviting you to explore the world's wonders and travel to exotic lands. This series not only depicts the renowned American and Chinese attractions but also introduces lesser-known sites and highlights the cultural significance that enhances the scenery. The wealth of practical information provided is sufficient to guide you through your travels in foreign lands, allowing you to explore with joy. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, the largest city, and the second-largest port. With a population of approximately 700,000, it was merely a fishing village in the early Middle Ages and was granted city status in 1926. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, it became an important port due to its involvement in Eastern trade. In the 17th century, the Netherlands was a dominant colonial power at sea, and Amsterdam served as the headquarters for the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company. After the 18th century, the economy stagnated, but in the early 19th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, only the royal palace was located there, while the central government remained in The Hague, a unique arrangement among world capitals. Amsterdam is the industrial, financial, trade, tourism, and cultural arts center of the Netherlands. It is renowned for industries such as shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, chemicals, and electronics. Additionally, diamond processing is world-famous, with industrial diamond production accounting for 80% of the global total. The financial banking sector ranks among Europe's top, and the Amsterdam Stock Exchange is one of Europe's largest exchanges. Approximately a quarter of the Netherlands lies below sea level, making Amsterdam a "submerged city" with an elevation of 1-5 meters below sea level. The city is crisscrossed with canals, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North." Historically, all buildings in the city were built on wooden piles, as if the city were resting on countless wooden supports.
Tourist Highlights: Amsterdam is a water city, and to fully experience its charm, you must take a sightseeing boat along its canals. A one-hour cruise during the day is ideal for this. From Amsterdam Central Station, sightseeing boats operate on various routes every 15–30 minutes. Onboard, you can discover scenes you might have missed while walking on the streets. Using a museum cruise is also convenient when visiting museums. This route circles the city's main museums, allowing you to board and disembark at any time. If you are confident in your stamina, you might also enjoy exploring the canals by boat. In the evening, the canals and bridges along Amsterdam are lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere. Surrounding Amsterdam are canals, so it's a good idea to rent a small boat or take a sightseeing cruise first. If you enjoy urban charm, you can start from Amsterdam's city center and follow Damrak to visit the Royal Palace, the New Church, the National Monument, and the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Alternatively, you can begin your exploration of the old town at the "Cry Tower" on Prins Hendrikkade Street, following the canals to visit the Amsterdam Museum and the Old Church. Extending north and south from the Old Church is the famous "Red Light District." As night falls, the district is filled with crowds, becoming more vibrant as the night progresses. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to "travel through time with the masters," where you can take an art with Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Hals, transcending the barriers of time. Amsterdam has over sixty museums and galleries. The most representative ones are concentrated on Museumplein. These include the Rijksmuseum, which houses Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" and works by other 17th-century Dutch masters, as well as the Van Gogh Museum, the world's largest museum dedicated to Van Gogh's works, and the Amsterdam Museum, which collects works by Gauguin, Picasso, and other Impressionist masters. In addition to these, the National Concert Hall on Museumplein is a must-visit, renowned as a hall of classical music. It is also the home of the Amsterdam National Orchestra, completed in 1888. This white building, marked by a golden harp on its roof, boasts excellent acoustics and ranks third in the world. Ticket prices are very affordable, making it easy for anyone to enjoy classical music. Every Wednesday at noon, free lunchtime concerts are held, so feel free to attend. When tired, you can take a break at a nearby café and enjoy the relaxed Dutch atmosphere.
The city center, centered around Dam Square, is the liveliest part of the city, not far from the world-famous Red Light District. "The World Travel Guide: Amsterdam" published by Zhonghua Book Company covers all the information you need for your trip to Amsterdam, making it convenient and practical.