Bucharest

Bucharest

Attraction Introduction

The capital of Romania, Bucharest, pronounced as "București" in Romanian, means "City of Joy" ("bucur" means joy). Legend has it that in the 13th century, a shepherd named Bucur drove his flock from the remote mountains to the banks of the Dâmbovița River, where he found the land rich in water and grass, and the climate mild, so he decided to settle there. Later, more and more people came to settle, commerce and trade flourished, and this settlement gradually developed into a town. Today, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River still stands a small mushroom-shaped spire church named after the shepherd.

Bucharest is located in the central part of the Wallachian Plain in the southeastern part of the country, situated on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, a tributary of the Danube. The Dâmbovița River flows through the city and heads toward the Danube, dividing Bucharest into two parts. Twelve lakes in the urban area run parallel to the Dâmbovița River, one after another, like a string of sparkling pearls, adorning Bucharest exceptionally beautifully. To the north of the city lies the famous Băneasa Forest, while within the city, colorful flower beds made of lawns, roses, and roses can be seen everywhere. Afforestation, flower cultivation, greening the city, and beautifying the environment have become the traditions and hobbies of Bucharest residents. Today’s Bucharest, shaded by greenery, filled with lush trees and flowers, and dotted with lakes, has become a garden city.

The beautiful environment of Bucharest is very captivating—the lush green linden and chestnut trees lining the streets and roadsides; the roses and pinks in the street parks, bright and colorful; the plum and cherry trees between residential buildings heavy with fruit; the lawns inside and outside courtyards lush and green... During the blooming season of lilacs, even passengers in moving cars can catch the fragrance. The city has over 50 parks of various sizes, including more than 10 large parks in the urban area alone, plus numerous fountains, monuments, and sculptures. The most famous park in Bucharest is Herăstrău Cultural Park, which features two large fountains at its entrance, shooting high jets of water that break into misty droplets. In the peak of summer, as the breeze blows, the spray feels like a fine drizzle on people, offering exceptional comfort and coolness. There is a small lake in the park with emerald-clear water, surrounded by dense weeping willows and other trees. The park also houses a fairly large restaurant equipped with a variety of cultural and recreational facilities, attracting a large number of visitors every day.

Bucharest is an ancient city with a long history, documented in historical records for over 500 years. As early as 1459, during the period of the Principality of Wallachia, Bucharest was already a fortress. After the Romanian people defeated the Turkish invasion in 1477, they named this castle on the banks of the Dâmbovița River Bucharest, meaning "City of Joy." In 1659, Bucharest became the capital of the Principality of Wallachia, and since 1862, it has been the capital of Romania.

The name "Bucharest" is a transliteration from English, while in Romanian it is pronounced "București." Regarding the origin of the name Bucharest, there is a particularly interesting legend: it is said that over 700 years ago, a shepherd named Bucur drove his cattle from afar to the banks of the Dâmbovița River, where he found the land rich in water and grass, and the climate mild, so he pitched a tent and settled down. Later, more and more people came to the area, gradually forming a town. Since the shepherd Bucur was the pioneer of the city, to commemorate him, people built a church called Bucur Church, and the place came to be known as "București," which was transliterated into English as "Bucharest." To this day, there is still a church in Bucharest named "Bucur," which is regarded as a testament to the city’s long history.

Bucharest currently has a population of over 2.3 million and covers an area of more than 600 square kilometers. It is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of Romania, as well as an important industrial base in the country, home to over 200 modern factories. Due to its strategic location, Bucharest has historically been a fiercely contested area among European powers such as the Ottoman Empire and Tsarist Russia. Long-term foreign rule left this ancient European city in a state of prolonged decline. Since the mid-20th century, urban construction in Bucharest has developed rapidly, with modern architectural complexes continuously rising. The once dirty suburbs of "Colentina" have now transformed into a new urban district full of high-rises; the formerly narrow-streeted "Băneasa" has become a beautifully landscaped residential area. Major streets such as Magheru Boulevard and Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej Avenue are bustling with pedestrians and traffic. Lipscani Street near Union Square is lined with shops one after another. Though the shops are not large, each is fully stocked with a dazzling array of goods. The buildings along the streets largely retain traditional Romanian architectural styles, and many shops hang medieval-style iron lanterns at their entrances. On Ana Ipătescu Street, a large sign written in both Chinese and Romanian that reads "Nanjing Lou" (Nanjing Restaurant) is particularly eye-catching. The ceiling of this restaurant is hung with Chinese-style lanterns, the walls display Chinese paintings, the tables are set with Chinese tableware, and the dishes and desserts served to guests are all in Chinese flavors, with beautiful Chinese music echoing through the hall. European diners here use Chinese chopsticks—though not very skillfully—but everyone finds it great fun. Whenever Chinese guests come to dine, European friends always greet them with smiles or warm applause.

Romania Bucharest