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Guan Yin Shrine
Europes first Chinese Imperial–style Buddhist temple (2000) is dedicated to Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Make a donation, light an incense stick and ponder the thousand eyes and hands of the Bodhisattva statue. The ornate mountain gate – an intriguing concept in the nar
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Haagse Toren
A glass elevator whisks you up in just 40 seconds to the observation deck on the 42nd floor (135m) of the citys second-tallest building. (Theres a less-dizzying option of riding a windowless lift.) There are indoor viewing areas and an outdoor balcony; on a clear day, panoramas ext
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Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam
Dont blink or you might walk right past this unobtrusive outpost, a project space of the Stedelijk Museum. Its in a former clothing workshop on a very quiet block. Exhibits here – from painting and sculpture to new-media and installation pieces – present contemporary artists whose
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Van Brienenhofje
This charming courtyard (aka hofje ) was named in the late 18th century for Jan van Brienen, who bought the Star Brewery located here, one of 13 breweries in town at the time. (The place is still called De Star Hofje by many.) It was turned into an almshouse for older residents, wh
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Luchtvaart Themapark Aviodrome
Fronted by a reception area designed like an airport check-in counter, this hugely engaging museum has 70 historic aircraft on display, including a replica of the Wright Brothers 1902 Flyer, Baron von Richthofens WWI triplane, a Spitfire and a KLM 747. You can also play air-traffic
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Oude Haven
The Oude Haven area, near the Overblaak development and the Blaak train, metro and tram station, preserves the oldest part of the harbour, some of which dates from the 14th century. Its a decent place for a stroll, especially if you pause at one of the waterside cafes.Check out th
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Valkhof
Perched in a commanding position over the Waal, the Valkhof is a lovely park and the site of a ruined castle (see it in better days in the Jan Van Goyen painting at the museum across the way). There are plans afoot to rebuild its tower. At centre-stage is the 16-sided Sint Nicolaas
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Dockworker Statue
Beside the Portuguese-Israelite Synagogue , in triangular JD Meijerplein, Mari Andriessens Dockworker statue (1952) commemorates the general strike that began among dockworkers on 25 February 1941 to protest against the treatment of Jews. The first deportation round-up had occurred
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Kasteel Radboud
Pint-sized Kasteel Radboud was built by Count Floris V in the 13th century and served as a prison before a 19th-century remodelling by Pierre Cuypers, the designer of Amsterdams Rijksmuseum. The original floor plan has been preserved and the imposing Ridderzaal (Knights Hall) still
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Kaasmarkt
On Friday mornings, waxed rounds of kaas (cheese) are ceremoniously stacked on the main square. Soon, porters appear in colourful hats (denoting the cheese guild), and dealers in white smocks insert a hollow rod to extract a cheese sample, and sniff and crumble to check fat and moi
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Zeedijk
This is one of Amsterdams oldest streets. Initially a shipping district, it was a respectable place to be until the 17th century. Then the rich folk moved away to the Herengracht, and the Zeedijk turned to come-hither entertainment for sailors. It has cleaned up again over the past
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Blauw Jan
Slow down alongside the Kleine Gartmanplantsoen park just near Leidseplein to spot 40 lizards nestled in the grass and sunning themselves on the brickwork. Cast in bronze, the surreal life-size reptiles, created by Dutch artist Hans van Houwelingen in 1994, are collectively known a
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Pampus
Off the coast of Muiden lies a derelict fort on the island of Pampus. This massive 19th-century bunker was a key member of a ring of 42 fortresses built to defend Amsterdam. Rescued from disrepair by Unesco, its now a World Heritage Site and is great fun to explore. Ferries to Pamp
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Zandhoek
On Realeneilands eastern shore, the Zandhoek is a photogenic stretch of waterfront. Its now a modern yacht harbour, but back in the 17th century it was a sandmarket, where ships would purchase bags of the stuff for ballast. Many a VOC skipper lived hereabouts, carousing in local ba
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Homomonument
Behind the Westerkerk, this 1987 cluster of three 10m x 10m x 10m granite triangles recalls persecution by the Nazis, who forced gay men to wear a pink triangle patch. One of the triangles steps down into the Keizersgracht and is said to represent a jetty from which gay men were se
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Stopera
This odd, mod building houses both the stadhuis (town hall) and the opera hall, aka Muziektheater , hence the name Stopera. It opened in 1986. For a peek behind the scenes, take a guided tour (adult/child €6/5) on Saturdays at 12.15pm. The arcade between the town hall and the theat
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Bloemenmarkt
Since 1860 this famous flower market has been located at the spot where nurserymen and women, having sailed up the Amstel from their smallholdings, would moor their barges to sell their wares directly to customers. No longer floating (its now perched on piles), the market here offe
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Het Oranje Voetbal Museum
Here you’ll find out why, for many Dutch, football isn’t a matter of life or death – it’s much more important than that. Spread over four hallowed floors, this museum tells the story of Orange maestros including Cruyff, Van Basten and Gullit, and the revolution that was Total Footb
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Sarphatipark
While the Vondelpark is bigger in size and reputation, this tranquil English-style park delivers an equally potent shot of pastoral summertime relaxation, with far fewer crowds. Named after Samuel Sarphati (1813–66), a Jewish doctor, businessman and urban innovator, the grounds are
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Rokin
South of the Dam, this street is part of the route most visitors take from Centraal Station into town, the name being a corruption of rak-in, or inward reach. In the early 16th century the northern part was the site of the first Amsterdam stock exchange, which played a big part in
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