Cherry Brick Road
Cherry Brick Road in Bonn, Germany
This is a globally renowned road lined with cherry blossom trees on both sides. The scenery it creates differs from that of Japan, the country of cherry blossoms—here there's less Zen and more of a European romantic charm.
Region: Germany
Bonn is located on the banks of the Rhine River. The clear waters of the Rhine flow gently past the city like a white ribbon. The medieval castles situated along the river showcase Bonn’s ancient past, while the lush and picturesque scenery on both banks adds endless charm to this “pearl” city on the Rhine. Bonn is an ancient city that originally developed from a small village reliant on ferrying and fishing, with a history dating back as early as 2,000 years.
Bonn is a city rich in pastoral charm, distinctly characterized by its tranquility, comfort, and strong local flavor. It is a city composed of many villages—such as Lessenich, Kessenich, Duisdorf, Lessenich, Poppelsdorf, Ückesdorf, Ippendorf, and more—many of which still retain their natural rural appearance. This is precisely why the roads of Bonn have a unique style. CherryBrickRoad is a globally famous road, lined with cherry blossoms on both sides. The scenery it forms is different from that of Japan, the country of cherry blossoms—here there's less Zen and more of a European romantic charm. Under the radiant cherry blossoms, it’s all about meeting the most beautiful you at the most beautiful moment.
Travel Tips:
Transportation:
LUFTHANSA, Germany’s national airline, is one of the world’s top airlines. Currently, Lufthansa operates daily flights from Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai to Frankfurt, Germany’s largest airport, with a flight duration of approximately 12 hours.
The small northern German town of Bonn is a pilot town for Europe’s “no traffic lights” initiative. It has beautifully maintained churches, museums, and residential buildings just like other European towns, but no traffic lights can be seen on the roads. When drivers see pedestrians crossing the street ahead, they voluntarily slow down and stop to ensure the pedestrians’ safe passage. Many drivers also gesture a polite “please go ahead” to pedestrians, who often respond with grateful looks. Local police officer Hans explained that since the removal of traffic lights, drivers have undergone “astonishing changes.” With no traffic lights to rely on, they drive slowly and stay constantly aware of pedestrians around them. Slower speeds have resulted in smoother traffic than before. Local residents also say, “There used to be too many barriers on the streets, but now we don’t have to worry about them. As long as everyone shows mutual consideration, vehicles and pedestrians can share the city’s roads.”
Accommodation:
Hotels: Germany offers hotel rooms at various price points, and some hotels are even housed in ancient castles and palaces. Many hotels also feature amenities such as swimming pools, saunas, or fitness centers.
Guesthouses and Inns: These accommodations offer reasonable prices and a homely atmosphere. Facilities are relatively basic, typically only including room cleaning services, which makes them more affordable than hotels. Most guesthouses do not have their own kitchens and only provide breakfast. When rooms are available, they are often advertised by placing a sign reading “Zimmerfrei (Vacancy)” on the roadside or near the building to attract guests.
Stockholm
The Beautiful Streets of Stockholm, Sweden’s Capital
Region: Sweden
Known as the “Venice of the North,” Stockholm was established in the mid-13th century. Its over 700-year-old Old Town remains remarkably well preserved. Stockholm boasts both classic, timeless charm and the vibrancy of a modern city. The Old Town features magnificent palaces, imposing churches, soaring spires, and narrow medieval streets. In contrast, the newer parts of the city are filled with high-rises, neat streets, and a scenic interplay of green foliage and shimmering waters.
Today, Stockholm has also earned the title of “Europe’s Green Capital.” Here, you’ll find especially neat streets, with all municipal buses and rail transit powered by renewable energy. Garbage trucks are nowhere to be seen on the roads. For Swedes, environmental consciousness has long evolved from a slogan into a way of life and habit—something as natural as breathing. Strolling along the city’s streets and admiring the crimson leaves of autumn, you’ll feel as though you’re in a painting.
Travel Tips
Transportation:
Sweden’s three major international airports—Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, and Malmö Sturup Airport—are all well connected by bus to the cities. From the domestic and international departure halls at Arlanda Airport, frequent shuttle buses run to central Stockholm, with the final stop located on Klara Bergsgatan, beyond the Central Station. The airport bus fare in these three major cities is around 30 to 35 Swedish kronor. Taxis are also available from the three airports to the city centers, but they are quite expensive. If your destination is not a major train station in the city center, you can take a SAS travel bus—for example, from Arlanda Airport to central Stockholm costs about 105 kronor per person, and from Sturup Airport to central Malmö costs about 180 kronor per person. Additionally, when three passengers share a ride to the same address, they receive a discount and only pay for two.
Most international flights to and from Sweden land at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, a key air hub in Northern Europe. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) operates four weekly flights to Stockholm.
Accommodation:
Stockholm offers over 200 hotels and hostels, ranging from luxurious to simple. For those who prefer quiet, options include small hostels by the archipelago or along the coast. Alternatively, choose a boat hotel and fall asleep to the sound of waves. Budget travelers can choose from over 20 campsites in Stockholm.
Tunnel of Love
Tunnel of Love
Region: Ukraine
Strictly speaking, this isn’t really a road, but because of its incomparable beauty, countless people have exclaimed that it is probably the most beautiful railway track on the planet—it’s so green it takes your breath away... Located in Kleven, Ukraine, locals call this path the “Tunnel of Love” (Tunnel of Love)—faced with such a road, I guess the most disappointing thing is knowing it actually exists on Earth.
This stunning railway is enveloped by branches and vines. The arched tunnel bursts with spring vitality, an expanse of green; in autumn and spring, the leaves are lush and full of life; in the summer heat, the thick foliage provides cool shade; in the depths of winter, sunlight filters through gaps, casting a warm glow. Throughout the seasons, the tunnel offers a forest-oxygen-bar experience, adding joy to life and delivering a relaxing green journey.
Travel Tips:
Transportation:
The transportation industry is well-developed, forming a comprehensive system that includes railways, highways, inland waterways, maritime shipping, air transport, and pipeline transport. Air, rail, and road transport are relatively convenient but less comfortable. Kyiv’s subway system is well-developed and affordable. There are direct flights between Kyiv and Beijing, with two flights per week.
Local Transport: Ukraine has approximately 23,000 kilometers of railway tracks and over 170,000 kilometers of roads. Train travel is the most common way to get around in Ukraine. Ukrainian trains are spacious and comfortable, generally offering three types of compartments: platskartny (open-plan), four-person cabins, and two-person cabins. Most trains run overnight, making travel more convenient for tourists. Ticket purchasing is also easy, with a nationwide computerized ticketing system that allows for round-trip bookings. Outside peak tourist seasons, same-day tickets can usually be purchased. Fares are very affordable—for example, a 10-hour trip from Kyiv to Odesa in a four-person cabin costs only about 80 RMB.
Road: Ukraine also has a fairly developed road network. Comfortable imported air-conditioned buses are available at major long-distance bus stations, with fares slightly higher than train tickets. Buses offer more flexible schedules, especially for short-distance travel.
Maritime: The total navigable length of inland waterways is 1,672 kilometers. Major navigable rivers include the Dnipro, Dniester, Danube, and Desna, with 12 major river ports.
Ukraine has 18 commercial ports, with eight major ones: Odesa, Donetsk, Illichivsk, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Feodosia, Reni, Izmail, and Mariupol.
Subway: The best way to get around Ukraine is by subway, as it is both safe and fast. Tickets are also inexpensive, costing just 0.5 hryvnias (about 75 cents RMB). Kyiv’s subway covers the entire city, and monthly student passes are available (12 hryvnias/month). Kyiv’s subway (42 stations) is divided into three color-coded lines—red, blue, and green. Currently, only Kyiv and Kharkiv have subway systems in Ukraine.
Accommodation: Ukraine’s tourism infrastructure is generally underdeveloped and growing slowly. Accommodation options in Ukraine can be broadly divided into four categories: hotels (63.4%), guesthouses (25%), sanatoriums (9.6%), and youth tourism bases (4%).
Hotels: Hotels make up the largest proportion of the four categories. As of early 2004, official statistics showed Ukraine had one five-star hotel, 18 four-star hotels, and 58 three-star hotels, though actual figures differ significantly (five five-star, 25 four-star). Due to heavy taxation, many businesses downgrade their hotel ratings during registration to reduce burdens.
Over time, this has led to a chaotic pricing system and inconsistent service standards, greatly increasing management difficulties. Ukrainian hotels, in terms of both facilities and services, currently do not meet international standards. So-called four-star hotels often don’t match even three-star standards in most countries, yet their prices are among the highest globally. Among existing hotels, competition is fiercest among low-star (two- and three-star) establishments, while high-end and budget accommodations experience relatively balanced competition.
Hotels: Kyiv does not have many high-end hotels. Major city-center hotels include Premier Palace, President Hotel, Kyiv Hotel, National Hotel, Ukraine Hotel, and Dnipro Hotel.
Homestays: In Ukraine, travelers can stay not only in hotels but also rent rooms or entire homes from local residents. Options range from shared rooms with hosts to independent houses, all at reasonable prices. These come with essential home amenities, 24-hour hot water, gas stoves, TVs, refrigerators, etc. For Chinese visitors unaccustomed to Western food, cooking Chinese meals is an option. Those who prefer not to deal with public transport can also rent private cars locally. Locals, familiar with the area, can act as both drivers and guides, accompanying you throughout your trip. Rental prices vary depending on the vehicle and duration, typically ranging from 100 to 200 RMB per day.
The Road of Blooming Crape Myrtle
The Road of Blooming Crape Myrtle
Region: South Africa
Crape myrtle trees are native to South America and resemble royal poinciana trees, with delicate and graceful branches and leaves, and elegant blooms. If cherry blossom viewing is a highlight in Japan, then the vibrant display of crape myrtles is South Africa’s annual dreamlike carnival. To enjoy this ultimate romance, stroll along Church Street from the Church Square and walk down the main roads, treading on a 43-kilometer purple carpet, and bask in the gentle beauty of crape myrtle blossoms falling from the sky.
In October, when crape myrtles bloom across South Africa, whether in the administrative capital Pretoria or the “City of Gold” Johannesburg, the landscape transforms into a sea of purple. Delicate purple flowers cluster on branches, blooming one after another, tree after tree, patch after patch, with petals fluttering like snowflakes, blanketing the streets in a picturesque scene.
While the Northern Hemisphere is deep in autumn, the Southern Hemisphere’s South Africa welcomes a purple spring. It’s called purple because many South African cities plant crape myrtle trees, and October–November marks their blooming season. Vast swaths of purple spread through cities, with tree blossoms dyeing the sky violet, while fallen petals form carpets on the ground, seemingly tinting the very air lilac.
Along South Africa’s southern coast along the Indian Ocean lies a scenic route beloved by travelers—from George to Knysna and on to Port Elizabeth. The entire route boasts stunning landscapes and scenery, complemented by a well-connected road network, thus earning the nickname “Garden Route.”
In the right season, walking the streets of South Africa and soaking in the fragrance of crape myrtles creates a romance so overwhelming it takes your breath away.