Düsseldorf in-depth travel guide: art and market symphony on the Rhine

🌦️Preparation before the trip Visa and transportation Chinese citizens need to apply for a Schengen visa and can fly directly from Beijing/Shanghai to Düsseldorf International Airport (the flight takes about 10 hours). It is recommended to buy the "Rheincard" transportation day ticket in the city (€9.9 for unlimited light rail/bus rides). The Airport Express Line S11 goes directly to the city center in 20 minutes. Best season You can take a day trip around the Netherlands during the Tulip Festival from March to May, dye the cobblestone streets of the old city with autumn colors from September to November, and experience the masked parade throughout the city during Carnival in February. The average daily temperature is 15-25℃, so it is recommended to bring a windproof jacket and a folding umbrella. Special equipment Comfortable walking shoes (the cobblestone streets in the old city test your leg strength), a wide-angle lens (to capture the magical buildings in the Media Harbor), and reusable shopping bags (most supermarkets do not provide free plastic bags). 🏛️Top 10 must-visit attractions Humanities and History Old Town (Altstadt) The "world's longest bar street" gathers more than 260 bars. We recommend the smoked dark beer Altbier from Uerige Beer House, paired with sauerkraut pork knuckle, €15 per person. There are street performers every Friday night, and the St. Lambert Church in the Renaissance complex houses the remains of a 7th-century saint. Media Harbor The twisted tower designed by Frank Gehry and the minimalist architecture by David Chipperfield create a visual impact. At dusk, take photos of the reflections on the water in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the port restaurant "Stage". Natural Art Rhine River Trail Recommended cycling route: From the Parliament Building to the Rhine Tower, passing the statue of the poet Heine and the open-air art installation along the way. The bicycle rental point provides retro bicycles for €5 per hour. Benrath Palace The pink Baroque palace hides the hunting stories of aristocrats in the 18th century. The mirror-like pool in the back garden turns into a red leaf filter in autumn. The guided tour with Chinese audio is €12 per person. Fashion landmark Königsallee Luxury flagship stores are interspersed with designer boutiques, and the avant-garde fashions of the local brand Wunderkind are recommended. The suspended art installation in the atrium of the shopping mall SEVEN is a hidden check-in spot. 🍴The Rhine on the tip of your tongue Local taste Schweinehaxe The crispy pork knuckle of the old shop Füchschen needs to be ordered in advance and is served with Düsseldorf yellow mustard sauce. The basement wine cellar retains oak barrels from 1848. Küchenlust The Black Forest cake is topped with local cherry wine, the pastry chef demonstrates chocolate sculptures on site, and the afternoon tea set is €25 and includes the limited edition "Rhine Mousse". International Integration Currywurst For curry sausages with French fries at night market stalls, I recommend the "Altstadt Curry" on the east side of Marktplatz Square, which has five levels of spiciness. Im Schiffchen This is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant where Napoleon once dined. Its signature dish, "Rhine salmon with asparagus," must be booked three months in advance, starting at €150 per person. 🏨 Accommodation Guide Design Hotel The Stage: A glass cube building in the media harbor, some rooms have suspended bathtubs, and the top-floor bar offers a 360° view of the Rhine. Breidenbacher Hof: A century-old palace hotel, with antique elevators and marble spiral staircases recreating the golden age, and executive suites with private art tours. Featured B&B Altstadt Loft: An industrial-style apartment converted from an old city loft. The landlord provides a hand-drawn "underground bar map". Houseboat 33: A yacht B&B moored in Media Harbor, where you can enjoy breakfast on the deck while watching flocks of swans flying over the water. 📅Five-day highlights Day 1: A preliminary exploration of the city context Morning: Rhine Tower Summit → Old Town Square Market Afternoon: Shopping on King's Avenue → Picnic in the Benin Palace Gardens Evening: Dark beer challenge at Altstadt Bar Street Day 2: Art Time Travel Morning: K20 Art Museum→Media Harbor Architecture Tour Afternoon: Kunsthaus Museum→North Rhine-Westphalia Film Museum Evening: Jazz dinner on a Rhine cruise Day 3: Symphony of Nature and History Full day: Cologne Cathedral day trip (40 minutes by train) Evening: Cycling along the Rhine to catch the sunset Day 4: Exploring the surrounding secrets Option A: Keukenhof Tulip Gardens + Windmill Village (only available from March to May) Option B: Tour of the Ruhr Industrial Heritage (Zollnerge Coal Mine World Heritage Site) Day 5: Immerse yourself in local life Morning: Experience alkaline bread baking at the local private bakery "Hinkel" Afternoon: Visit the Matcha Workshop on Japanese Street → Cherry Blossom Avenue at the University of Düsseldorf Evening: Special performance of the opera "The Ring of the Nibelung" 💡Player Tips Photography Point: The distorted mirror of the new customs building in Media Harbour (best light and shadow at sunrise) Medieval relief on the bronze door of St. Lambert's Church (photographed from the side against the light) Reflections in the moat of King's Row (using ND filters to extend exposure) Tips to avoid pitfalls: All shops in the city are closed on Sundays, and only REWE supermarket is open at the central station Beware of fraudsters pretending to be ticket inspectors. Always punch your ticket when boarding the train. Special Experiences: Make an appointment to explore the underground wine cellar (Füchschen offers a tour of the 19th century tunnels) Participate in the "Long Night Museum" event (some venues are open until the early hours of the morning in April/October) ✨Environmental Initiatives Participate in the "Green Dusseldorf" program and exchange 10 plastic bottles for hand-painted postcards at the tourist center. The Rhine River cruise company provides Trip Coins vouchers. This guide, which combines Baroque luxury, industrial aesthetics and urban life, will help you unlock the multiple charms of the Pearl of the Rhine!