Walking in Europe-Antwerp, Antwerp

Belgium is located on the dividing line between Germanic and Latin, so it is a country with three official languages, namely French, Dutch and German (the proportion of German is very small). Therefore, administrative divisions are also divided into French-speaking areas (German-speaking communities are located in French-speaking areas), Flemish areas (Dutch-speaking areas) and Brussels. Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium and the capital of Flanders. Antwerp port is also a very important container transport port in the world, and the throughput of processing port is the third in Europe.

Antwerp may be known to China people because of a TV series "Mr. Love". The screenwriter of this TV series studied in Belgium in his early years, so the story of this drama is circulated in various cities in Belgium and can be called a tourist propaganda film in Belgium. After the last film was released, it was obvious that the number of domestic tourists visiting Belgium surged. It seems that the star effect is still obvious.

Antwerp is definitely the most famous diamond industry center in the world (the other two are located in new york and South Africa respectively), and it is also the largest diamond trading center in the world, where 80% of the global diamond trading volume takes place every year (data from China Journal).

If you come to Antwerp by train, come to Antwerp Central Station today. In 2009, the American magazine Newsweek named Antwerp Central Station as the fourth most beautiful railway station in the world (Jamie Cunningham,? "Station: a destination that matches the journey"), which is also the transportation center of Antwerp, so it is convenient to transfer to public transportation to go to all parts of the city.

The central railway station is divided into four floors, in which the trains passing through the city directly pass through the underground tunnel, which passes through the whole city underground. The platform on the first floor only stops at the trains that originate or arrive here.

Next to the Central Railway Station is the Diamond District, where diamond trading is basically controlled by Hashemite Jews. Antwerp is also the city with the largest number of Hashemite Jews except new york. Out of the railway station, you can see a dazzling array of diamond shops on the roadside, and you can often see passers-by stop by the window and enjoy the diamond jewelry in the store through the glass.

However, the more formal place to buy diamonds is in the diamond trading center, but when buying there, you must make an appointment with the diamond company inside before you can go in with your passport, otherwise the security uncle at the door will not let you in.

After all, diamonds are not everyone's pursuit, so I want to introduce some other scenic spots to you. When you leave the railway station and go west (that is, in the direction of the river on the map), you will pass a pedestrian street first. This area is next to the diamond area, which is the most famous pedestrian street in Antwerp. This is the favorite place for local people to come in their leisure time. The shops on both sides are our common brands, such as HM, CA and Uniqlo. , as well as chocolate shops, fast food restaurants, daily supermarkets for washing products and so on. Little friends who like shopping must come to this area to eat and play.

Further south, there are also some luxury shops. In fact, it is much better to buy luxury goods in Belgium than in France. First of all, the price of the products is the same, but there are not so many people in Paris. Many popular styles are not available in Paris, but they may be available here. Moreover, most of the shop assistants can speak English, so there is no need to worry about shopping inconvenience. The most important thing is that Belgium's tax rebate rate is much higher than that of France. The same product can be purchased and replaced in Belgium. Of course, the most suitable place in Belgium is a famous street in Brussels.

Antwerp also has a cultural side. Speaking of which, the name of Paul Rubens is no stranger to everyone, and Paul Rubens' former residence is in the middle of Mel District, and the Central Railway Station is half the distance from the city hall, which can be used as an exchange point. Buy buy can also be culturally influenced after eating it. But don't worry, the museum has a storage room, and everything you buy can be stored, which is convenient for traveling lightly.

After the spiritual supply, you can continue to walk along the river to the grand square Groenplaats. Speaking of it, every city in Europe has such a "big square". The square itself is not large or well-known, but a statue of Peter Paul Rubens was erected in the center of the square.

The biggest use of this square at ordinary times is the location of some daily markets, and it will become an ice rink (real ice) in winter. However, a scene in Mr. Love was shot here, which attracted the attention of many domestic tourists. When Jin Dong was filming this scene, I was beside the square, running for him. Although it's not for idolization, it's good to see a star. Who knows the audience sitting outside the square stopped me, because there are regulations that face of china is not allowed to appear in the square during filming. I watched Jin Dong coming out of the Hilton next to me from a distance, took a few photos in the square and went back to the hotel.

Many people in China and I can only sit in the chair next to us and watch from a distance. Who knows that the crew went to a restaurant in Chinatown for dinner that night, and I stayed in an upstairs in Chinatown, only a few tens of meters away from where they ate.

Next to the Grand Square is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Antwerp. This cathedral, built in14th century, still retains many murals in15th century. It is a must-see place for Antwerp to punch in. Because of Antwerp's "specialty"-diamonds, many companies in the diamond industry are also inextricably linked with Antwerp. Even Zhou Dasheng was awarded the square monument in the square in front of the cathedral for his contribution to the restoration of Notre Dame.

The landmark of Antwerp is the statue of "Brave Brapoh" erected in the square of the city hall. According to legend, in ancient Rome, a brave man named Brapoh fought bravely with the devil, eventually killing him, cutting off his hand and throwing it into the nearby Guerder River.

Another new destination in Antwerp is the DIVA Diamond Museum next to the City Hall. After a long period of construction, the museum was finally opened to the public on 20 17. It not only shows the mineral distribution and processing technology of diamonds in the world, but also shows some exquisite diamond ornaments. You can also buy some products around diamonds in souvenir shops.

The city hall is surrounded by restaurants of various flavors. When you are tired, you can choose a restaurant to have a full meal and have a rest.

It's almost evening when Antwerp swims here in one day. Is to walk to the river and watch the rolling river rush to the sea and overlook the direction of the sea.

If you spend more time in Antwerp, it is also recommended to visit the Antwerp Riverside Museum and the Port Authority Building in the northern port of Antwerp. Aside from the internal functionality, these two buildings have a strong sense of design from the appearance, especially the design of the top floor of the Port Authority Building, which combines the two "specialties" of Antwerp's shipping and diamonds, and has newly built a modern building with a shape similar to that of diamonds and ships.

Another place to visit is the underground tunnel across the Guerder River. You can reach the other side through the 30-meter-deep all-wood elevator and the tunnel at the bottom of the river, which is well worth punching in. In addition, the Red Star Shipping Company Museum is also worth visiting. Red Star Shipping Company was established in 187 1, and it undertakes routes from continental Europe, the United States and Britain. Now most American immigrants set foot on the American continent by boat from Antwerp port.