For centuries, Dusseldorf and its neighbor Cologne have been engaged in friendly rivalry. When it comes to business, art or even tradition, the western German cities are keen to outdo each other. In terms of modern architecture, Dusseldorf arguably has the edge, with its Rhine Tower, the Gehry buildings (center) and the Media Harbor.

The city's most famous landmark, Cologne Cathedral is known the world over. Towering almost 160 meters (about 520 feet) high, it dominates the skyline. The foundations were laid in 1248, but the cathedral wasn't completed until the 19th century. Inside, the Shrine of the Three Kings, a masterpiece crafted in gold and said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men, is well worth a visit.

Every year, Carnival revelers conquer the cities along the Rhine in the run-up to Ash Wednesday. Millions dress up in colorful costumes and celebrate in the streets and in pubs. Things get particularly wild in Cologne, which hosts Germany's biggest Rose Monday parade: Around 12,000 carnival revelers parade through the streets, throwing sweets to onlookers.

Another particularly notable city in the western German state is Bonn. It saw its heyday as the capital of West Germany from the postwar period right up to reunification in 1990. Some of the old government buildings are now open to the public for visits, while others have retained their function as ministerial centers. DW's headquarters is located in the Schürmann-Bau building.

North Rhine-Westphalia doesn't just attract city slickers; it's also a heaven for nature-lovers. With its varied landscapes, the Eifel mountain range is a big hit among cycling and hiking enthusiasts. The national park prides itself on protecting the three Ws: water, wildlife and woodland. More than 7,800 animal and plant species have been identified, of which a quarter are listed as endangered.

In 1978, Aachen's cathedral became the first German building to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Commissioned by Charles the Great, or Charlemagne as he is better known, the cathedral's foundations were laid in the year 796. The Aachen Cathedral Treasury houses the famous 14th-century Bust of Charlemagne. The leader himself is buried at the church.

When it comes to biking, Münster reigns supreme. The city of 300,000 inhabitants, apparently home to 400,000 bicycles, is synonymous with cycling, as seen in this photograph of the Prinzipalmarkt square. The Promenade ring road, which circles the city, is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. With more than 55,000 students, Münster is also a well-known university town.

Höxter's Corvey Abbey, once home to Benedictine monks, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the most important examples of Carolingian architecture. The abbey's Princely Library, where the poet Hoffmann von Fallersleben once worked as a librarian, boasts a collection of 75,000 books.

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a magnet for visitors. The site once housed one of Europe's largest coal mines and coking plants. Today, like Aachen Cathedral and Corvey Abbey, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old industrial buildings are now centers of art and culture, and the on-site swimming pool attracts huge crowds in the summer.

The Ruhr area is also famous for football; supposedly, there are more regular players here than anywhere else in Germany. Big teams, like Dortmund and Cologne, are known all over the world. A meeting of the two teams is a must-see event!

What would Bonn be without Beethoven? The city is proud of its famous son and built his monument in Münsterplatz in 1845. Not far from there is the house where he was born, which is now a museum.

Behind this fancy rococo façade, Bonn´s mayor receives his guests. The Golden Book of the City, situated in the old town hall, has been imprinted with many famous signatures over the years. From 1949 to 1990 – while Germany was divided – Bonn was the provisional capital of the German Republic.

The old waterworks on the Rhine is an authentic place to reflect on Bonn's time as national capital. The German Bundestag sat here for six years until it was moved to Berlin in 1992. For those interested in history, tours to the old plenary chamber are available.

With more than 850.000 visitors annually, it is one of the most visited museums in Germany. The permanent exhibition allows one to experience history since 1945. More than 6000 objects and documents can be admired here. An eye-catcher is Konrad Adenauer´s work car. The first German chancellor had a Mercedes 300.

Where once the customs house collected its dues from seafarers, one can now enjoy a drink in the beer garden. Kölsch, a beer from Cologne, is traditionally served. Except people from Bonn call it "Bönnsch". Included in the experience is a great view of the river Rhine, the Siebengebirge, and the Post Tower. At 162,5 meters, the latter is the tallest building in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Next to the Post Tower, Deutsche Welle has its headquarters. Employees from more than 60 nations produce multimedia content in 30 different languages daily. Those who are interested can look behind the scenes after registering for a tour.

This extraordinary natural spectacle takes place annually in the spring. Tourists from all over the world admire the pink sea of blossoms the old town of Bonn turns into. Especially beautiful at that time of the year is Heerstraße, widely regarded as one of the most stunning tree-lined streets. The cherry trees were originally planted in the 1980s to bring some color into the old town.

The Prince-Electors of Cologne once resided in this castle. Today Bonn university's scientific collection is housed here. The neighboring Botanical Garden counts as one of the oldest and most varied in the world. An inspiration​ for anyone with a green thumb, admirers of classical music also shouldn't miss out on the castle concerts that are held every summer.

The hill known as "Dragon´s Rock“ is one of the most visited recreation destinations in the Rhineland. Those who are ambitious hike up. The others just take the cable car. The reward at the top is a breathtaking view of the Rhine, with the city of Bonn in the distance.

Every first weekend in May the city transforms into an enchanted world full of light and color. In addition to illuminated castles and ships there are fireworks accompanied by music. These create a festive atmosphere. After the performance, people head to the Rheinaue to enjoy the various music stages.