DENMARK is a very beautiful country that has some of the cosiest landscapes in Europe. In Denmark you’ll find rolling green hills and buoyant yellow fields. Quaint small towns with red brick houses dot the landscape and clear blue lakes and bays offer the more adventurous a place for a quick dive.

The Kingdom of Denmark was established in the 9th century and is therefore one of the oldest countries in Europe. The Kingdom of Denmark includes not only Denmark, but also the autonomous regions of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Denmark has always been a peaceful country since the Viking ages and has been engaged in overseas trade with a strong maritime focus. Danish traders reached China in the mid-17th century and Danish King Christian V wrote a letter to the Emperor Kangxi of China in 1674. The letter affirmed Denmark’s wish to establish a friendship with the Chinese Empire and proposed that this could be best done through shipping and trade.

Today Denmark has in many international surveys been hailed as the happiest country in the world. As one of our national poets, Grundtvig, has said: “Few have too much and fewer too little.” Denmark is the most equal country in the world in terms of wealth distribution. We also have very low crime rates and the government secures equal opportunities in the form of health care and education for our citizens.

Danish architecture has become more and more prominent in recent years with internationally renowned architects. For example Bjarke Ingels has received recognition for his buildings around the world. Furniture and craftsmanship is also a prevalent part of the Danish culture.

Denmark is also frontrunner the global gastronomy scene and Copenhagen alone holds 18 Michelin stars. Four times the winner of the title Best Restaurant in the World — in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 — Restaurant noma epitomizes the New Nordic wave, which has echoed around the world.

There are many beautiful places in Denmark, but I think that first time visitors to Denmark must go to both Copenhagen and its surroundings. A majority of Chinese tourists choose to spend most of their time in the capital of Copenhagen, in which tourists can experience the quintessence of Danish culture. However, the remainder of the country also offers a range of experiences for everyone, big and small, old or young, regardless of interests.

In Copenhagen, you should visit the Little Mermaid in the harbour of Copenhagen near the Royal Palace. Seeing the Danish monarchy is a big part of Danish culture, one should definitely visit some of the many castles and royal sights in Copenhagen. For instance, Rosenborg in the center of the capital is from the early 17th century and displays exquisite memorabilia from centuries of monarchy as well as the Danish crown jewels.

Not far from Copenhagen in the old Viking town of Roskilde, where the Roskilde Cathedral and the Danish Viking Ship museum are the biggest attractions. North of Copenhagen you’ll find Kronborg, one of Europe’s finest Renaissance castles, which dates back to 1574 and served as the inspiration for the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare.

The northern rim of the mainland in the western part of the country also provide tourists with white sand dunes and beaches, small and cosy timbered summer houses as well as a peculiar sight at Grenen, the very top of Denmark: the point where waves from Skagerrak to the west and Kattegat to the east collide.

Denmark is a great country to visit regardless of season, but spring and summer are probably optimal because of the much more pleasant weather. In the spring, you get to see Copenhagen blooming as the city comes out of a state of hibernation (well not literally). During the summer, Copenhageners and tourists flock to the streets and inhabit cafés, park benches as well as the hundreds of small, luscious lidos scattered throughout the city. Also, bring your bathing suit — the canals of Copenhagen are clean enough to swim in and currently have three harbour baths, where everyone is free to go for a swim or jump off the ledges.

Copenhagen is a festival city with a range of cultural events throughout the year. Copenhagen Cooking is — as the name suggests — a cooking festival, in which dozens of restaurants in the city host a series of food events in August.

Copenhagen Jazz Festival transforms the city into a host of venues, big and small, in which some of the biggest international jazz names perform over a period of 10 days in July.

Denmark is an incredibly safe place. In Denmark, the Minister of Foreign Affairs can ride his bike through the city of Copenhagen without being accompanied by bodyguards. Even the Crown Prince, the immediate heir to the Danish throne, can ride with his children to and from kindergarten without a care in the world.

You should follow the Danish diplomatic representations on our Weibo or WeChat, where we have plenty of tips and advice about Denmark. The Weibo account is Weibo.com/danishembassy and you can follow our WeChat account ambkina.

Must in Denmark

Must see:

Copenhagen is without a doubt a must-see when visiting Denmark. The capital holds sights for everyone regardless of age or interest. See the famous Little Mermaid statue, the inner city harbor of Nyhavn with its beautifully colored houses and cobblestone streets from the 17th century as well as the city’s many great castles and museums. Families should visit the world’s second oldest amusement park in the center of Copenhagen, and of course the world famous Legoland in Billund in Jutland, built by Lego-bricks — millions upon millions!

Also, don’t miss the experience of crossing the Oresund bridge, the bridge connecting Denmark with Sweden, to get a glimpse of Malmö and the remainder of Sweden.

Must do:

Rent a bike! Everyone in Denmark rides a bike and every city — especially Copenhagen — has designated bike lanes. There are plenty of bike rentals in the country and most hotels rent or lend out bikes as well. Also, try out the concept Meet the Danes, where ordinary Danish families cook for tourists.

Must buy:

Denmark is fortunate enough to have plenty of amber, also referred to as “The Gold of Scandinavia.” Amber is used in various types of craft goods including jewelery. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try some renowned Danish candies – like liquorice.

Must eat:

Definitely smorrebrod, the traditional open-faced sandwiches made with rye bread and several toppings. Danish meatballs — frikadeller — are also a popular dish in Denmark. Danish hotdogs are a snack that many Danes prefer after work.