Ask the crew: Julie Heng’s guide to Zurich

We caught up with Julie Heng, a Flight Purser at Cathay Pacific, to find out why Zurich is her favourite city.

“Zurich is a city for all seasons. Summer is for activities on the lake, like bathing and paddle boarding; in winter, you can head to the mountains for snow sports. Then there are the city’s historic streets, which are charming year-round.”  

Must-do

From Zurich, you can reach several of Switzerland’s famed mountains by train (I recommend getting a Swiss Pass for easy access to the country’s rail network). My fellow crew members took a day trip to Mount Titlis – the region’s most popular mountain – but I instead opted to visit Mount Rigi, which offers equally amazing views without you needing to travel as far. From its trails, you can see three of Switzerland’s largest lakes: Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz.  

In the city, you should take a walk down the famous Bahnhofstrasse. Zurich’s shopping street is known for its pricey boutiques, but it’s worth visiting just to soak up the atmosphere, especially on a winter evening. The street is lined with trees and beautiful buildings, with a tram line running down the middle. Bonus: water fountains are dotted along the way, providing pure Swiss hydration.

Must-eat

If you love cheese and chocolate, Zurich is your dream destination. Visit Lindt Home of Chocolate , a museum and chocolate workshop where you’ll see and sample Swiss chocolate as it’s being made. The signature attraction is a giant chocolate fountain; obviously, a photo of it is a must. For traditional Swiss fare, like wienerschnitzel and kalbsbratwurst, look no further than Restaurant Zeughauskeller . You also need to experience cheese fondue: I visited Raclette Stube with the entire crew. You dip different nibbles in a big pot of melted cheese – it’s really fun.

Must-pack

I would bring along a power bank for those excursions to the Swiss mountains. You don’t want your phone to run out of battery halfway through the day.