Modern city: Tel Aviv
A city beside the Dead Sea
Tel Aviv faces the eastern Mediterranean, covering an area of 51.76 square kilometers. According to the statistic in 2005, the metropolitan district in Tel Aviv has a population of about 3.04 million, which is the largest metropolitan area, the most densely populated area and an economic hub in Israel.
Tel Aviv is considered to present a rising tendency of becoming a world-class city. It is remarked as a metropolis which has the highest living expenses in the Middle East. Its average consumption level even exceeds that of Europe. Compared with China’s average commodity price, it is 67.72% higher than that of Tel Aviv.
For instance, a roast chicken sold in a restaurant costs at least 80 New Shekel (￥151.2), a fish 105 New Shekel (￥198.45), a plate of pasta 30 New Shekel (￥56.7). A bottle of beer sold in a bar costs minimum 25 to 28 New Shekel (￥47.25-￥52.92) , soft drinks like Coca Cola 8 to 12 New Shekel (￥15.12-￥22.68), a bottle of water 6 to 8 New Shekel (￥11.34-￥15.12)......
In 1950, two years after Israel’s establishment, Tel Aviv and Yafo are merged as Tel Aviv-Yafo. Today, Tel Aviv is regarded as the most internationalized economic center in Israel and the heart of “Silicon Wadi”. Tel Aviv is active, modern, cosmopolitan and is widely recognized as the cultural center of Israel.
A modern capital of culture
Many people take Tel Aviv as the cultural capital of Israel. Because as a modern city, Tel Aviv has several cultural centers, including opera houses, art galleries and museums.
Some famous arts centers include Tel Aviv Opera House, where Placido Domingo used to be the tenor here during 1962 to 1965; Frederick Mann auditorium, a modern music hall with 3000 seats, is the home to Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra; Habima Theatre, the national theatre, represents the highest standard of Israeli opera.
Watching an opera in Tel Aviv is indispensable on the travel to-do list.
Besides, Kamel Theatre in Tel Aviv, Gesher Theatre in Yafo and Beit Lessin Theatre are also popular. Tzavta, Tmuna and other small theaters mainly perform local plays and some marginal works, where actors act in Hebrew. In Yafo, Simta and Notzar also put marginal works on stage.
Israel has the highest number of museums per capita of any country, and the museums are mostly located in Tel Aviv.
Among these are the Eretz Israel Museum, known for its collection of archaeology and history exhibits dealing with the Land of Israel. Batey Haosef Museum specializes in Israel Defense Forces military history and some rare weapons and pictures.
The Diaspora Museum (Beth Hatefutsoth), housed on the campus of Tel Aviv University, is a museum of the international Jewish diaspora that tells the story of Jewish prosperity and persecution throughout the centuries of exile.
The Palmach Museum near Tel Aviv University offers a multimedia experience of the history of the first batch of Israel Defense Forces. Right next to Charles Clore Park is a museum of the Etzel. Etzel used to capture Yafo in the first middle east war, which is regarded as its outstanding military exploit.
The Israel Trade Fairs & Convention Center, located in the northern part of the city, hosts more than 60 major events annually. Many offbeat museums and galleries operate in the southern areas, including the Tel Aviv Raw Art contemporary art gallery.
White City of Tel Aviv was built in 1909s. During 1930s to 1950s, White City was built on the base of Sir Patelaike’s city planning, presenting the fundamental principles of a modern city’s development planning. Buildings in the city were designed by designers who were trained and practiced in Europe, they created an outstanding integral construction of “modern movement” with brand new cultural concepts.
Sleepless city of Israel
Tel Aviv is a significant tourist city, it combines Mediterranean custom and cultural diversity together, which makes it popular in tourists worldwide.
Tel Aviv is the most open and comprehensive city in the middle east area. The seaside pedestrian corridor has countless bars, musical restaurants, beach clubs and so on. Prismy night life is one of its tourism features, which makes it famous as the sleepless city of Israel.
Have you ever heard about eating breakfast in 2 am or 4 am? catering to the customers who play all night in Tel Aviv, there are many restaurants selling Free Daybreak Breakfast. Before dawn, you can see all those kitchens begin to work, including Shila specialized in seafood, Brasserie for french meal, Benedict and European style restaurants like Café Noir, Coffee Bar bistro and Lehamim.
Tel Aviv also holds the largest pride parade in Israel (Israel is the only country that holds pride parade in the middle east), attracting thousands of people to attend, which shows how open and comprehensive Tel Aviv is.
Walking along the seaside boardwalk of Tel Aviv, you can see street performers never stop their performances, some are fiddling, others are playing the saxophone. Their music flutters in the salty Mediterranean sea breeze, just in the gloaming.
If you go to the seaside, don’ t forget to ramble in the local markets. You can feel the most fresh Tel Aviv there.
In Artist flea market, you can find lots of bizarre things. It’s a good place to buy some souvenirs.
Animate city atmosphere, never-end city spirit and countless high-tech companies make it possible for Tel Aviv to become the second silicon valley in the world, and famous as “ silicon wadi”.
Design elements and fashion atmosphere appear in every corner of Tel Aviv, changing it into a land of inspiration for artists.