Tell about Zurich ?

Freezing Lake Zurich
In Last Century, Lake Zurich froze over twice completely in 1929 and in the winter of 1962– 1963. For a solid layer of ice to cover over 88 square kilometers, winter temperatures must remain well below freezing for weeks on end. Nevertheless, on several occasions, the Swiss made the most of the cold by setting up spontaneous winter fairs out on the ice.

The cities became partners in 1982 with a common goal of cultural exchange. Over the years Zurich came to Kunming’s aid by providing technical support for their water supply, public transport, and city development.

One of the Happiest Cities in the World
Zurich is considered one of the happiest cities in the world. Many happy people with fulfilling jobs and talents, but 1 in every 9 jobs in the entire country is in Zurich. Most of the world’s major banks have headquarters here, as do many insurance companies. As per many Zurich has been given the title as having the best quality of life in the world.

Kunming expressed their gratitude toward Zurich by providing garden experts and craftsmen to assist in building a Chinese Garden on the right shore of Lake Zurich. The garden theme ‘Three Friends of Winter’ stems from Chinese culture and references three plants (pine, bamboo, and plum blossom) that endure winter well.

City of Nightclubs
Nightlife of Zurich offers classy clubs, casual and alternative bars, as well as live-music venues and strip clubs. On the weekend people from almost half of Switzerland come to the city to have a good time. The main nightlife areas are Niederdorf in the old town, the streets around Langstrasse and Zurich West. Zurich is also considered the fashion city of the country.

Prehistoric Pile Dwellings
Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps is a series of prehistoric stilt house settlements in and around the Alps built from around 5000 to 500 B.C. on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands. There are 111 sites located in Austria(5), Germany(18), Italy(19), France(11), Slovenia(2), Switzerland(56). Most of the Switzerland’s sites fall under the Jurisdiction of Zurich Administration. These sites are in UNESCO world heritage site list.

Zurich continues to assist Kunming (although the city has received some compensation since 2004) and the commitment to the partnership has given Zurich a positive image and has paved the way for more opportunities.

Spectacular View of Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is one of the largest lakes in Switzerland covering the area of 88.66 square kilometres. Night view of the lake is very fascinating, it attracts tourist from all over the World.

City of Museums
Zurich City houses more than 12 Museums and some of them are most famous such as Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum, Rietberg Museum, Museum of Design etc.

City of Largest Techno Street Party
Zurich is the city of largest Techno Street Party. Zurich holds a major event that defines that perception completely. Every year in August, millions of wildly dressed people fill the streets of Zurich to party at Street Parade, the largest techno parade in Europe.

Another thing I didn’t know about Zurich is that Dada art movement (Dadaism) was founded there in 1916. Dadaism is often described as an anti-art or revolutionary art movement – loved by innovative artists or those who no longer want to create art for profit.

Artists Emmy Hennings and Hugo Ball, who fled to Switzerland because the horrors of WWI, started the movement at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich.  The former nightclub has been recently reopened as a wine bar, gallery, and museum and was the location of the “Obsession Dada” exhibition.

This exhibit celebrated 100 years of Dadaism from 5 February to 18 July of this year with 165 themed soirées, each featuring a different Dadaist (such as Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Sigmund Freund, to name a few).

Zurich is not the capital of Switzerland
Because Zurich is the Swiss financial capital, many assume it also holds the highest rank in politics. However, the central city of Bern became the official unofficial federal capital in 1848, when Switzerland became the country we know today.

Yet Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city
With the city’s population topping 400,000 inhabitants and 1.3 million people within the canton, Zurich is the urban hub of Switzerland. From my experience, the city’s size, which is relatively small compared to other large international cities, is part of its charm.

In Switzerland, you can spell Zurich six different ways

Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. As a result, you’ll see several spellings for Swiss cities throughout the country, which can be helpful to learn.

But the Romans gave Zurich its first name
Before Zurich’s nomenclature started confusing many an expat, Zurich had another name. The modern city of Zurich began as a Roman customs outpost, which they called Turicum. The earliest record of this name was found on a second-century tombstone discovered at the Lindenhof hill.

In medieval times, women held the most political power in the region
In 853 AD, Louis the German, King of Bavaria and grandson of Charlemagne, founded the Fraumünster abbey — a gift for his daughter Hildegard. This little convent was very unconventional from the start. The abbey was endowed with the surrounding lands and by the 11th century, the women of Fraumünster — and in particular the abbess — held almost all of the economic and political power in the region.

The City of Zurich is the proud owner of the largest church clock face in Europe
Located in the heart of the Old Town, St Peter’s Church stands adjoined to a medieval watchtower built for the local fire brigade.

A clock face with moving dials was slapped on the tower in 1366, and for centuries the marvelous façade served as the standard for local Zurich time. With a diameter of 8.64m, the dials of this Zurich landmark hold the record for Europe’s largest church timepiece — for now.

Zurich has over 1,200 drinking fountains

Rome may have her fancy fountains that are good for making wishes and taking selfies, but Zurich has hundreds of fountains that allow you to quench your thirst in almost every corner of the city.

Drinking fountains are a part of the Swiss standard, as they are a sensible, public resource for the benefit of everyone. Some fountains are plain and simple, while others showcase historical figures or innovative design.

Lake Zurich has frozen over twice in recent history
Within the last century, Lake Zurich froze over twice completely in 1929 and in the winter of 1962–1963.

For a solid layer of ice to cover over 88 square kilometers, winter temperatures must remain well below freezing for weeks on end. Nevertheless, on several occasions, the Swiss made the most of the cold by setting up spontaneous winter fairs out on the ice.

Zurich is home to perhaps the most non-sensible art movement of all time
With the outbreak of WWI, a group of artists, poets, and intellectuals gathered in Zurich’s Cabaret Voltaire, a bar and theater located in the heart of the old city.