Helsinki is the capital of Finland, the most humble, shy, and quiet country in Northern Europe. Helsinki is an unforgettable and charming city.
Go To Helsinki
Before going to Helsinki
Among the countries in Northern Europe, Finland is the country that I am most curious about. My curiosity is not because of the legend of Santa Claus, but because, in my understanding of Northern Europe, Finland makes the vaguest impression on me.
Before going to Northern Europe, I had some ideas about other countries, but I didn’t know how to describe Finland specifically.
The guide of the tourist bus
While visiting Helsinki, my husband and I bought tickets for a tourist bus. The tourist bus was double-decker and very large. As a result, there were only 6 tourists on the bus, including the two of us.
There was also a tour guide on the tourist bus. Seeing that there were so few people, the tour guide asked the 6 of us to sit in the front row of the lower level and closer together so that it would be easier to explain things to us.
The Finnish tourist bus guide gave me my first impression of the Finns, shy, humble, friendly, and modest. The bus guide’s explanation was very vivid.
She mentioned that when Finland was a very poor country in the past, their prince wanted to marry a princess from another European country, but princesses from other countries were unwilling to marry into this cold and poor country. The distant history became vivid after the description of the tour guide.
Book hotels/hostels?
Modern Finland has developed into one of the richest countries in the world. The cost of traveling in Finland is relatively high compared to other countries, so clean, and tidy low-cost hotels are very popular.
Some nice hostels and less expensive hotels in the center of Helsinki are often full in the summer and need to be booked in advance.
The Humble City
Helsinki is a very humble city, and it also has the tranquility and peace characteristic of Nordic cities. However, the hustle and bustle of the market in the city center and tourists from all over the world still make the city very lively.
You can see many Asians in the center of Helsinki, perhaps because Helsinki is a very popular transit point as there are many flights from Asia.
Due to Helsinki’s extreme humility, some Asians who only pass by may not even feel its current wealth level, because some Asians think of modern wealth as high-rise buildings and a constant stream of vehicles, rather than these low buildings, streets with a few vehicles and some bicycles.
This is exactly the characteristic of Nordic people who pursue quality of life and strive to get close to the essence of life. Nordic people advocate nature, simplicity, self, and humility.
Korkeasaari Zoo (Helsinki Zoo)
I found that many northerners have a fascination with animals. Some large northern cities often like to build zoos, and many northerners have memories of going to zoos in their childhood.
Helsinki also has a special zoo, which is built on an independent island. Many locals and tourists take a boat to the Korkeasaari zoo on the island. On the way to the zoo, tourists can also enjoy the sea scenery.
Because the Helsinki Zoo is on an independent island, the animals are closer to nature. Although some animals are found in various zoos, the animals in various city zoos are different due to different regions, and there are often local special animals.
The Helsinki Zoo also has some animals that I have not seen in other zoos. However, what impressed me most in the entire zoo was when two bears fought in the water, splashing water everywhere, and many people gathered to watch. The scene at that time was a bit funny when I think about it now, as if a group of idle people gathered to watch two people fight.
Character
On the whole, I feel that northerners are relatively more straightforward and simpler than southerners, and more childish, which is reflected in architecture and decoration.
For example, the logo of Suomenlinna, a famous UNESCO tourist attraction in Helsinki, is actually a small statue of a seagull wearing boots.
If similar attractions were in Italy, there might be several statues with profound meanings and complex designs.
Children in the north also wear simpler and more comfortable clothes. Many children in Helsinki wear simple and childish clothes, while in southern Europe, such as Italy and France, children often wear miniature versions of adult clothes.
I remember the little girl on a beach in Italy. She had long hair to her waist, a well-cut coat, fashionable boots, and a small stylish bag. She walked gracefully and occasionally jumped and skipped childishly.
Observing local customs and habits during travel is one of the great pleasures of traveling. The world is generally similar but diversified and different, which is the beauty of the complexity of life.
History
Helsinki was built in 1550 by King Gustav I of Sweden for trading reasons. But it didn’t develop much until 1748. The real development of Helsinki started after it became the Grand Duchy of Finland under the Russian Empire.
Because the Russian Empire made Helsinki the capital instead of Turku to weaken Swedish power and influence in Finland.
Although Helsinki suffered a lot of damage during World War II, Helsinki’s defense system prevented it from suffering greater damage.
After the war, Helsinki developed slowly and steadily. The rapid development was in the 90s, and the social welfare has been high until now.
Best Things To Do in Helsinki
Churches
Helsinki Cathedral (Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral)
Temppeliaukio Church (Church of the Rock)
Uspenski Cathedral (Eastern Orthodox cathedral)
Kamppi Chapel (Chapel of Silence)
Libraries
National Library of Finland
Helsinki Central Library Oodi
Parks
Esplanadi park
Sibelius park (Note: Sibelius Monument is inside this park)
Kaivopuisto park
Roihuvuori Cherry Tree Park (March and April are the best time to enjoy the Japanese sakura flowers, which is called “hanami”)
Museum
Ateneum Art Museum
National Museum of Finland
Seurasaari (Open-air wooden buildings Museum)
Kiasma (Contemporary art museum )
Amos Rex (20th-century art museum)
Others
Suomenlinna (Sea fortress) + Finnish submarine Vesikko
Old Market Hall
Senate Square
Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Villa Aalto (House of architect and designer Alvar Aalto)
Korkeasaari Zoo
Relax in one of the many Saunas
Author: Hua
