The Rhine tower, the North Rhine-Westphalia parliament, the Gehry Buildings, the city gate or Colorium – MedienHafen is a hotspot for creative architecture in Düsseldorf. Several international architects played a creative role in the reconstruction of the old Rhine port area. Frank O. Gehry, David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi were among those who made a creative contribution to make it what it is today. Those goods depots which were protected by a preservation order had to be renovated with hi-tech engineering and creative interior design. The ancient storerooms have been recreated with a new style and grace. However, you can still feel the old port atmosphere everywhere despite all the reconstruction. Just a decade ago the warehouses were nothing but immense empty spaces inside. Today, various television channels and radio stations, and advertising and media agencies, design bureaus and suchlike have all set up shop inside. So that’s where the name came from: MedienHafen, which means media harbour. The MedienHafen also plays in the premier league where hospitality is concerned. From the exquisite “Berens am Kai”, with a Michelin star, through the “most golden” curry sausage in Düsseldorf, to a cosy cocktail in the evening – the restaurateurs here have adapted to their heterogeneous clientele, which is composed of business customers during the day and the funky in-crowd in the evening, who all meet up to party at the stylish “Rudas Studios” advertising film venue or at the “Port Seven”.

The Muslim Quarter in Xi'an has been home to the city’s Muslim community for centuries. Stretching north from the Drum Tower, the quarter is a maze of narrow alleys and lively backstreets. It is home to halal butcher shops, small mosques, food markets brimming with local delicacies, and stores selling everything from spices to traditional crafts. It’s a fascinating place to explore, with the scents of sizzling street food filling the air, and it offers a unique glimpse into the cultural fusion that defines Xi'an.

The Daciensi Temple complex, anchored by the striking Daciensi Tower, stands as one of Xi’an’s most treasured landmarks. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty by Emperor Gaozong in memory of his mother, this historic site carries the weight of centuries. Legend has it that after the famed monk Xuanzang's epic journey to India to obtain sacred Buddhist scriptures, he returned here to translate them, setting up the temple as one of the earliest centres of Buddhist learning in China. Within the temple grounds, the iconic Dayan Pagoda (also known as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda) draws most of the attention. Built in the 7th century, it’s an enduring symbol of China’s first female ruler, Empress Wu Zetian, and her devotion to Buddhist teachings. Architecturally, the pagoda is a masterpiece of Tang Dynasty design, and climbing its steep, stone steps rewards you with sweeping views of Xi’an below.