Carlstadt is the city’s exquisite quarter of galleries and antique shops. Citadellstraße with its elegant stately residences from the 18th and 19th centuries and the flair of its streets almost unchanged since these days, seems to have escaped the passing of time. A more profound insight into Düsseldorf’s history can be gained at Stadtmuseum at the corner of Bäckerstraße and Berger Allee. Its cosy garden is treated as an insidertip! The Carlsplatz, and its lively food market open from Monday to Saturday. From here, take the attractive Bilker Straße for a visit to the Heinrich-Heine- Institute or proceed past the former residence of Robert and Clara Schumann to Bastionstraße, a must for every lover of antiques.

The Yulong River is a big tributary of the Lijiang River, flowing along scenic hills, plains and villages down to Gongnong Bridge. Hiking and riding around the river are also good ways to enjoy the view. Drifting on a bamboo raft is especially recommended for views that you cannot see from the banks. There are usually two seats on the raft and space is large enough to have bikes onboard as well. With many docking places on the route, it is possible to choose to tour the river for the whole length or in sections.

In Japan the cherry blossom or Sakura is celebrated for its beauty and symbolizes renewal, life as well as ephemerality. In this park along the Okawa River you can watch the spectacle of about 5000 cherry trees blooming in early spring. The best time for picnics amongst the magnificent white and pink trees is late March or early April.

On the edge of the picturesque centre of Kaiserswerth, the mighty ruins of the legendary Emperor Barbarossa’s medieval palace rise directly from the riverbank, once one of the most important fortresses on the Rhine.