Germany – Cologne, Düsseldorf ✨

Heading west in Germany, near the border of Belgium, there's a cluster of cities, home to one of the larger Asian populations in the country. Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen, and Dortmund are all connected 🌍. On this trip, due to time constraints ⏳, I could only explore Cologne and Düsseldorf along the majestic Rhine River 🌊. Let's start with Cologne! The main reason for my visit was to fulfill a long-held dream of seeing a cathedral 😍. I've seen countless photos of Cologne Cathedral online, with its brownish exterior and towering Gothic spires that seem to pierce the sky. Even in pictures, its overwhelming presence is simply breathtaking 🌟. Driving into the city from the highway, you can't miss the tallest structure in town. I highly recommend stepping out of the train station, as the first glimpse of the cathedral will leave you wondering how such intricate architecture was even possible centuries ago 😲. (I experienced this awe again in several other cities' churches later.) It just so happened that my visit coincided with a religious holiday in Germany, so the cathedral was closed in the morning 🙅‍♂️. But I was lucky enough to hear the choir sing 🎶—their pure, angelic voices felt like the most pristine thing, cleansing the soul 🕊️. After the hymns, small groups in the square held a procession, with leaders carrying a crucifix depicting the Passion of Christ ✝️, followed by worshippers. In the afternoon, the cathedral reopened, and I purchased a ticket to climb to the top (no reservation needed) ⛰️. Since the cathedral was built without an elevator, the only way up was a spiral staircase climbing over 100 meters—definitely a challenge for those lacking stamina 💪. Once at the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Cologne 🏙️ and take a closer look at every detailed carving on the spires ✨. After a while, I noticed that the LV logo seemed to take inspiration from religious symbols—it’s identical! 😯 Inside the cathedral, although there wasn’t much that stood out, the stained glass windows illuminated by sunlight were stunning 🌈. Whether you've visited Milan or Barcelona, this Gothic masterpiece is a must-see if you ever get the chance 🏰! #Cologne #CathedralRecommendation