Dam

Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam. Known as the "belly button", it is an iconic building in Amsterdam. You can walk five minutes from Amsterdam Central Station along Damrak Street, and you can come to this crowded square day and night. . Historical background Around the 13th century, the residents of Amsterdam built embankments along the Amstel River to resist floods, which is also the origin of the name of Amsterdam. Although the current Dam Square is not large in size, it has become the central square of Amsterdam, where ordinary people once shuttled back and forth, witnessing various political turmoil and demonstrations against the Vietnam War. In contrast, although today's square is still crowded, it is filled with a happy and casual atmosphere. Today, there are various cafes, restaurants and bars on Dam Square. Due to the special location, the price is slightly more expensive, but the business is very good, and there is almost always a need to wait for a table. Various street performers are also an interesting sight on Dam Square. You can watch jugglers performing long whips, clowns who “surprise” passersby from time to time, student bands performing in the open air, grandparents performing traditional Dutch pas de deux.. .... The chubby pigeons in the square will come around from time to time to beg you for food. Everything here is full of vitality and joy. You might as well ask for a drink, sit on the stone steps by the square, smell the coffee in the air, enjoy the novel performances of street performers, and feel the joy with the locals. In spring and autumn, various carnivals and markets with different themes are often held in the square. At that time, the entire Dam Square will be transformed into a colorful playground. If you happen to come across it, you must have a good time. It is also worth seeing the majestic buildings around Dam Square. The imposing blue-roofed building on the west side of the square is the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, which is now used for the royal reception and the new king's succession ceremony. The spired Gothic church adjacent to the Royal Palace is a new church, where organ concerts and exhibitions are usually held. On the south side of the square is the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, from where the huge circular glass can overlook the entire Dam Square. On the east side of Dam Square stands the iconic National Monument, a 22-meter-tall white tower guarded by two stone lions in memory of soldiers and civilians who died in the World Wars. There are also famous business districts around Dam Square. MagnaPlaza Shopping Center, Maison deBonneterie, DeBijenkorf and other large shopping malls in the Netherlands are all within a short walk of Dam Square. In addition, many buses and trams have stops at Dam Square, and the main attractions in the city are also within walking distance from here, which is very convenient. Dam Square is brightly lit at night, and it is another lively scene. After the tour, you can go to the nearby China Town for a walk. From Dam Square, you can walk north along Damrak Street for 5 minutes.