Information about the world-famous
Amsterdam's red-light district
Probably you have heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District as
this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to your surprise, what you may have heard is true! Here are
some facts about the Amsterdam Red Light District, a place unlike any place else, also known as
justAmsterdam Red Light.
The Oldest Part of Amsterdam
The famous Amsterdam Red Light District covers a large area in the
oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five
centuries, and thanks to the old buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking the tree-enshrouded canals that a
certain charm tempts you to linger longer in the area. In this district, music of every genre can be heard along
the streets from a dozen or more places late at night. And, it is the classier restaurants, redone streets, and
revamped facades that transform what once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town – the
Amsterdam Red-Light District.
Taking photos or camera recording is not allowed along Amsterdam's Red Light
District streets.
So you will find the above video a bit jarring, although rather clearer than many of similar videos.
Prostitution in Amsterdam Red-Light
District
Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes, it
is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance.
It has been reported that since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Much
to your surprise, the prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers. However, discrimination is still very much
part and parcel in this kind of trade as a number of the prostitutes reported that some banks even refuse to grant
mortgages for instance.
Now, as a legal profession, the government ensures that all
prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in better conditions by way of regulating and monitoring
working practices and standards. Also, it is worth noting that contrary to the popular belief, the Amsterdam
Red-Light District is actually the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen and private bodyguards employed
by the girls themselves are always on duty.
The Chinatown in Amsterdam Red-Light
District
The Amsterdam Red Light District is one of the few places on earthy
where you can authentic and really tasty Chinese food. The restaurants in this district are easy to find as cooked
Duck is typically hung in the front window. However, Chinatown in itself is misleading as there are also dozens of
Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai restaurants and cafés scattered along the beautiful canals. Besides the restaurants,
there are other Chinese businesses in the Amsterdam Red-Light District, including a well stocked supermarket across
from the Waag, near the Nieuwemarkt.
The Red-Light District Today
Amsterdam now prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant
attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red Light District, embraces the fact that people may be into
prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead of criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its
sleeve. What you see is generally what you get. So, how do you get to it? The answer basically lies on which
Amsterdam Red Light District you are looking for. There are actually three Red Light Districts in the city: the
main area is in theWalletjes area, theSingel, andde Pijp.