The memorial shows an exhibition on the destruction of Hamburg. The church burned down during the fire of Hamburg in 1842 and was rebuilt through donations.

An elevator took us to the platform for an impressive view of Alster River and downtown Hamburg.

For a traditional German dinner after the tour, I head to Paulaner near St. Michaelis Church.

Although it's a pricey brand in China, it's reasonably priced in Germany. It has a great atmosphere with spacious outdoor seating.

We try various beers, ranging from non-alcoholic to dark and since I'm a big meat lover I particularly liked the traditional dish of pork knuckle with sauerkraut.

The Reeperbahn should not be missed, so I went on a pub crawl. We start our adventure at about 11 pm, when the bars and clubs, streets and alleys are already packed.

A friend informs me that reeperbahn means "rope street" in German, as hemp ropes used to be produced here for ships.

While the bars and clubs have a great atmosphere, the red-light area catering to the legalized sex industry is most eye-catching.

Strippers dance in the windows and though women are not allowed to enter, a male friend was encouraged to go in and came out asking: "Is 50 euros expensive for a woman?"

After dancing for a while at a club we grab doner kebabs, which is typical street food here due to the number of Turkish immigrants.

Another plus about Hamburg is its transport system, which gives quick and easy access to the city's beautiful and tranquil suburban areas.

Blankenese, a former fishing village along the Elbe River to the west of Hamburg, is now a posh neighborhood with an old world charm.

The steep hillside residences are beautifully designed and boast stunning river views, walking trails and stairs.

Locals relax on their rooftop gardens with a book or a telescope in their hands, while children play in the park. Along the waterfront, there is a small beach with outdoor cafes and restaurants - perfect hangouts on a sunny day.

Contact the writer at sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn.