Frankfurt

Germany's aviation gateway and Europe's financial hub, where the Römerberg's half-timbered houses, the Goethe House and the Museum Embankment sit side by side; a common first stop for Chinese visitors to Germany.

Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main) lies in the state of Hesse in west-central Germany, with the Main River flowing through it. Home to the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Börse, it is also Germany's largest aviation hub, with direct flights from several Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, making it a common first or last stop on trips to Germany and Europe. The climate is mild: May–Sep is the most comfortable, with summer daytime temperatures around 25°C; winters are grey and cold, but the Römerberg Christmas market from late November through December is well worth a visit. Hotel prices rise sharply during major international trade fairs in March and September (such as the motor show and the book fair). Areas to explore: on the north bank, the old town centers on the Römerberg, the New Old Town, the Cathedral and the Goethe House, all easily linked on foot; to the west, the skyscrapers of the banking district form 'Mainhattan', and you can go up the Main Tower; the south bank has the Museum Embankment (the Städel and a dozen other museums) and the Sachsenhausen apple-wine district; the Zeil is the main shopping street. Getting around: S8/S9 S-Bahn trains run from the airport to the central station in about 15 minutes; the U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams make getting around easy, and a day ticket or the Frankfurt Card (transport plus museum discounts) is good value. The red-light district around the central station can be unsafe at night, so take care. How long: 1–2 days in the city; trains reach Heidelberg, Mainz and the Rhine Valley (Rüdesheim, the Lorelei) within an hour for day trips. Shops close on Sundays, so plan shopping ahead; most museums close on Mondays.

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