I’m still in Amsterdam and try to find Asian links with the Dutch… because my focus is on Asia. That is not so difficult, lots of Asian people live in Amsterdam. Approx. 120.000 Chinese people live in the Netherlands of which 25.000 in Amsterdam.
The Zeedijk, also called Amsterdam Chinatown, is located downtown Amsterdam, close to the famous Red Light district. You will find many Chinese restaurants, called toko’s, but also other Asian restaurants and deli’s as well Chinese shops and massage salons. The biggest Asian supermarket Amazing Oriental is located on the Nieuwmarkt, close to the Zeedijk and The Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua, the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe, is also located on the Zeedijk.
The Buddhist temple cost 9 million guilders (4.1 million euros) to build, 6 million of which was donated by the Fo Guang Shan organization and the remainder by businessmen and other private donors. Construction workers from Taiwan build the roof with the specific decoration. It was completed in the year 2000 and dedicated in person by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
If you are in Amsterdam don’t miss the Chinatown tour!
More information about the temple you will find on:
http://www.sacred-destinations.com

The Zeedijk, Monday morning, still quiet…

Entrance of The Buddhist Temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua

Inside the temple


The friendly staff of the temple

Nam Kee restaurant is a famous restaurant in Amsterdam because of the
Dutch drama film ‘Oysters at Nam Kee’

Bruce Lee still popular in Amsterdam Chinatown

The biggest Asian supermarket in Amsterdam ‘Amazing Oriental’