Bicycle culture in the Netherlands
In September 2011, Zhan Fangping, a 2008 law student from Xiamen University, went to Utrecht University in the Netherlands for exchange studies. What impressed her most was the Dutch bicycles. The Netherlands has a population of more than 16 million and has more than 18 million bicycles. Cycling is an essential survival skill in the Netherlands.
Reporter: What kind of place is Utrecht where you are?
Zhan Fangping: Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands and is the capital of the province of Utrecht. This is a quaint town with a history of nearly two thousand years, and many buildings are from the Middle Ages. Utrecht also has the famous rabbit Miffy (born in 1955, a classic animated character created by Dutch painter Dick Bruna). People like this 57-year-old rabbit very much. You can often see Miffy when walking in Utrecht: Miffy Museum, traffic lights with Miffy patterns, Miffy Plaza, Miffy Bookstore and Miffy Souvenir Shop, etc. It's like a Miffy city full of fairy tale colors.
Reporter: What is the life of the locals like?
Zhan Fangping: Their pace of life is really too slow. Some stores don't even open until noon and close at 6 p.m.
I was amazed by the friendliness of the Dutch people. I once got lost, and an old man took me to my destination on a bicycle even though he was not on the right path. There was also an old man who enthusiastically invited me to drink coffee and insisted on paying the bill. Although the AA system is very common in the Netherlands, he specifically emphasized that he only wanted to invite me, a Chinese girl.
Reporter: What impressed you deeply in the Netherlands?
Zhan Fangping: Bicycles. The Netherlands is known as the "Kingdom of Bicycles" in Europe. Colorful bicycles can be seen everywhere in the streets. Public buses are very expensive in the Netherlands, and many people ride bicycles when traveling to work every day.
I often see interesting scenes on the road: people in suits and leather shoes, riding bicycles crazily. Many old men and women also ride bicycles, rain or shine, and their skills are excellent. They can ride so fast that ordinary novice cyclists cannot keep up with them.
Riding a bicycle is an essential survival skill in the Netherlands, and many children start riding bicycles at a young age. In Utrecht, I often see parents taking their children to school on bicycles. They use a specially designed "maternal and infant bicycle". The bicycle is connected to a stroller and equipped with safety guardrails. Older children can sit comfortably in it, and some can hold two children at the same time. A child.
Reporter: Why are bicycles so popular?
Zhan Fangping: I think there are several reasons: First, the unique geographical conditions of the Netherlands. Most of the Netherlands is below sea level and has crisscrossed ditches, making it inconvenient for cars to drive, but bicycles are very convenient. Second, the Dutch have a strong awareness of environmental protection. Third, government encouragement and guidance. In the Netherlands, there are approximately 15,000 kilometers of clearly marked bicycle paths throughout urban and rural areas. These bicycle paths also lead to many tourist attractions. Lanes will also be specially opened for bicycles on bridges, tunnels and other places. The Dutch have a strong sense of rules and will not allow motor vehicles to occupy non-motorized lanes. There will also be various parking facilities around their parks, making it very convenient to store, rent or repair your car.
In addition, the Dutch government also strongly encourages transportation links between bicycles and trains. There are hundreds or even thousands of bicycles parked at every train station in the Netherlands. There is a large shed dedicated to parking bicycles. The scene is very spectacular.
Reporter: I heard that you went to many museums when you were in the Netherlands?
Zhan Fangping: Yes. There are approximately more than 1,000 museums in the Netherlands, and the density of museums per cubic meter ranks first in the world. In order to encourage people and tourists to go to museums more, the Dutch government also launched a museum card. You can buy one for 45 euros (378 yuan) and you can go to most museums at will.
During my six months in the Netherlands, I went to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Miffy Museum, the Cheese Museum, the Tulip Museum, the Music Box and Street Organ Museum, the Museum of Sex, the Mauritshuis, and the Kr?ller-Müller Museum. wait.
Reporter: Which museum impressed you the most?
Zhan Fangping: It is the National Museum of Automatic Musical Instruments in the Netherlands, also called the Music Clock (Music Box) Museum. The exhibits cover various large-scale musical machines such as music boxes, automatic pianos, street accordions, dance hall organs, small organs and organ bells since the 18th century. There you can hear some of the music composed specifically for the hurdy-gurdy and music box by famous composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn.
At the same time, there are many interesting interactive links in the museum. Visitors can shake the organ themselves, turn the music machinery, and play beautiful symphonies, and people around them will sing along. Whenever the music plays, there are always people among the tourists who can't help but dance along.
For more information about food, clothing, housing and transportation in the Netherlands, please click on the relevant links
According to experts, students studying in the Netherlands must purchase student insurance. This is also one of the necessary conditions for obtaining temporary residence. General international student insurance has wider coverage. Such as: medical emergencies, special losses, accidental losses, legal support and lost luggage, etc.
After paying the insurance fee, each student will receive an insurance card and insurance application form from the insurance company. If you need to apply for compensation, the applicant must fill out the application form, state the time and reason, and attach the medical payment slip or corresponding documents. Soon after, the insurance company will transfer the amount you applied for to your bank account.
The insurance most accepted by major universities now is IPS (International Passport for Students) from ACE Europe. Its monthly insurance premium is around 36.50 euros.
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The food culture of the Netherlands is really colorful. Usually Dutch cuisine is advertised as "Mom's taste". Dutch cheese is very famous, and its consumption and export volume rank first in the world. There are natural flavor Gouda cheese, unique flavor Eden cheese, brewed cheese, etc. Everything is covered here, so don’t miss it when you come to the Netherlands.
In terms of accommodation, if you want to book a hotel room, you can contact VVV, a tourist service office in various places. You can also book a room at the Dutch Tourist Service in the Arrival Hall of Schiphol Airport. Before going abroad (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China and South Korea), you can make reservations through local travel agencies. In addition, the Netherlands Reservation Center accepts calls, letters, faxes, etc. to directly book nearly all hotels in the Netherlands.
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