Grüezi 
and welcome
to Eastern Switzerland

St. Gallen is an university town with a population of around 80,000. It is the cultural and economic centre of Eastern Switzerland. The origins of the historic town centre date back to the 7th century. The capital of the canton of the same name also has a lot to offer in terms of tourism with its Cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage library. St. Gallen is a fashion centre famous for the creation of artistic embroidery since generations. Many of these magnificent creations are on display at the St. Gallen Textile Museum.

St. Gallen’s higher elevation, around 700 metres above sea level, offers views of the surrounding landscape. An invitation to discover and linger along Lake Constance, the Alpstein Mountains and the hills of Appenzellerland.

The St. Gallen Rhine Valley plays an important role in the economy of the Canton of St. Gallen and Switzerland. The region is a centre for various economic sectors. It is characterised by its picturesque landscapes including the Rhine, charming villages and the surrounding hills and mountains. Its favourable transport links make the St. Gallen Rhine Valley an important logistics hub and a reason numerous companies have settled here. The region is industrial diverse. Mechanical engineering, electronic, textile and food production companies have made the Rhine Valley home.

The St. Gallen Rhine Valley also has a rich cultural and historical past. The ancient region was an important trade route between Lake Constance and the Alps. Numerous historic towns and villages, including St. Gallen, Rheineck and Altstätten, bear witness to this rich history.

Lake Constance borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Swiss Lake Constance region, located on the southern side of the inland waterway, stretches along the cantons of St. Gallen, Thurgau and Schaffhausen. The best-known towns here include Rorschach, Arbon, Romanshorn, Kreuzlingen and Stein am Rhein. Lovely landscapes of rolling hills dotted with numerous fruit trees characterise the towns and villages of the region. 

A well-developed infrastructure; good transport connections, a wide range of training and employment opportunities and a rich cultural programme, contribute significantly to the high quality of life in the region. The mild climate and the wide range of leisure activities attract many visitors to Lake Constance, especially in the summer months.

Gentle hills, the imposing Alpstein massif with its 2,500 metre-high Säntis Mountain and scattered rural settlements with buildings in traditional wooden architecture characterise the picturesque landscape of Appenzellerland. Contact with the locals also quickly makes it clear that traditions and customs are important to many people here.

Appenzellerland is rich in cultural traditions such as folk music and dances, traditional costumes and local handicrafts. The fragrant Appenzeller cheeses are unique famous far beyond the region.

A tiny landlocked country in the heart of Europe, the Principality of Liechtenstein lies between Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east. With a total area of just 160 square kilometres, it is one of the smallest countries in the world. The landscape is characterised by the Alps in the east and the Rhine Valley in the west. The capital is Vaduz, with a population of around 5,800.

Despite its small size, there are many cultural sights to discover in Liechtenstein. These include Vaduz Castle, the Principality's seat of government, the Liechtenstein National Museum, which offers insights into the country's history and culture, and Vaduz Cathedral in the centre of the capital. The picturesque landscape of Liechtenstein offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and mountaineering.