A Second Visit to Germany in Late Winter 2017: From Munich into the Fairy-Tale World of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Nearly a year after my first visit to Germany, I set foot on German soil once again in late November 2017.
If my first trip was about exploring Germany's Christmas markets and medieval towns, the highlight of this second journey was Neuschwanstein Castle—a place I had always longed to visit.
This time, with Munich (München) as the starting point of my journey, I hopped on a train bright and early to embark on my highly anticipated day trip to Neuschwanstein.
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A Crisp Morning Departure from Munich
In winter, dawn breaks late in Munich.
At past seven in the morning, the Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof) was still shrouded in a dim sky, its platforms bustling with commuters and travelers ready to head out. Holding my Bavaria Ticket (Bayern-Ticket), I boarded the regional train bound for Füssen.
As the train rolled out of the city, towering buildings were gradually replaced by farmhouses, forests, and pastures.
The Bavarian countryside looked exceptionally pristine in the winter.
The distant Alps were already capped with snow. The occasional small villages we passed, with their scattered red roofs and white churches dotting the fields, looked just like a European postcard.
About two hours later, the train arrived at Füssen, a small town at the southern edge of Germany.
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Taking the Bus to Hohenschwangau
Stepping out of the station, I followed the signs to catch a bus to Hohenschwangau.
Along the way, more and more mountains came into view, and I finally caught a distant glimpse of a pure white castle perched on the mountainside.
That was Neuschwanstein Castle.
Seeing it with my own eyes for the first time, it was even more surreal than in the photos.
The entire castle stood quietly among the forested mountains. Even against an overcast sky, its fairy-tale charm remained entirely undiminished.
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Stepping onto Marienbrücke for the Most Iconic View
After purchasing my ticket, I had some free time before my scheduled tour, so I decided to head up to the highly recommended Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) first.
Although the mountain paths were a bit slippery in the winter, the air was incredibly fresh as I slowly made my way up.
The moment I stepped onto the bridge, the view before me took my breath away.
Neuschwanstein Castle stood right before my eyes.
The white castle was backed by snow-capped mountains, with a deep gorge and a waterfall at its feet, all entirely surrounded by the Bavarian forest.
This is the exact inspiration for Disney's fairy-tale castle.
Even without blue skies and white clouds, the slightly misty winter landscape actually added an extra touch of mystery.
I stood on the bridge for a long time, reluctant to leave, wanting nothing more than to etch everything before me deep into my memory.
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Stepping into the Dream of Ludwig II
At my reserved time, I began my tour of Neuschwanstein Castle.
The castle isn't actually as ancient as it looks from the outside. It was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who hoped to create an ideal world of his own, far away from political turmoil.
Photography is strictly prohibited during the tour, so I could only quietly admire each room.
The opulent Throne Room, the soaring Singers' Hall, and the abundant motifs of swans, knights, and opera elements perfectly illustrated the King's deep passion for medieval legends and Richard Wagner's operas.
What's most regrettable is that the King died under mysterious circumstances before the castle was completely finished.
Therefore, what we see today is only a fraction of the original design.
Yet, even so, it remains Germany's most iconic castle.
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A Winter Fairy Tale at the Foot of the Alps
After leaving the castle, I took a slow walk back down to Hohenschwangau.
Looking back up at Neuschwanstein along the way, the setting sun gently dusted the white walls, bathing the entire castle in a soft golden glow.
Nearby, because temperatures were near freezing, the surface of Alpsee (Lake Alp) was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and forests.
Although it was late winter and there wasn't a heavy blanket of snow, the whole Bavarian mountain region still exuded a rich winter atmosphere.
At a restaurant in town, I ordered Bavarian sausages, pork chops, and a steaming bowl of beer soup, warming myself up after a chilly day while experiencing the most authentic German country cuisine.
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Returning to Munich
In the evening, I boarded the train back to Munich.
The sky outside the window quickly went completely dark. The carriage was incredibly quiet, with most passengers exhausted and resting their eyes.
I, on the other hand, scrolled through the photos I had taken today, reminiscing about the awe I felt standing on Marienbrücke earlier.
Neuschwanstein Castle had always been something out of travel guides, movies, and fairy tales to me, but today, I had finally walked into that dreamlike castle myself.
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A Second Visit to Germany, A Different Kind of Magic
On my first trip to Germany, I fell in love with Nuremberg, the Christmas markets, and medieval towns. On this second visit, I truly felt the natural beauty and romantic vibe of Bavaria.
Munich is a vibrant metropolis, while Neuschwanstein feels like a fairy-tale world far removed from the hustle and bustle.
Hopping on a train from a bustling city and arriving at the foot of the Alps in less than three hours to witness the world's most famous castle with your own eyes—this kind of journey is exactly what makes Germany so captivating.
Looking back on that winter of 2017 years later, the most unforgettable part of that day wasn't just Neuschwanstein itself, but that exact moment standing on Marienbrücke against the biting wind, gazing at the white castle standing silently among the mountains.
That picture-perfect scene made me feel as if I had truly stepped into a fairy tale, and it remains the most classic, unforgettable day of my second trip to Germany.