【推荐1】Beijing has four distinct seasons. Spring is time for the capital city to dress in blossoms. It might be common to enjoy the fragrance of flowers elsewhere, but in Beijing, they can be appreciated alongside the ancient buildings nestled among them. Here is a quick guide of the best routed of themed spring tours for visitors.

Yulan magnolias

Its flowering phase is very short, as if showing a never-say-die courage and pride. Many love the plant for the flowers that blossom before leafing. The best time to see it is usually from the last week of March to mid-April,

Yulan magnolias usually appear first along Chang' an Avenue, and locals consider it a sign of the real approaching of spring. The blossoms look best on the western side of the avenue. Visitors should also look out for the spread of purple magnolias in the north western corner of the street, near the National Center for the Performing Arts.

The Summer Palace has a long history of planting Yulan magnolias. Every time they blossom, the Longevity Hall is filled with fragrance.

Winter jasmine

These golden-yellow flowers can be widely seen in Beijing in March. Their beauty is amplified by the red walls and green titles of historical buildings.

At the northern gate of Beihai Park, winter jasmine provided a picturesque scene against the back drop of water, hills and pedestrian activity and has been a lasting favorite of photographers. The blossoms are brought out by the nearby lake stones of various shapes and sizes.

In Zhongshan park, winter jasmine breathes life into the solemn(庄严的) atmosphere of the royal sits, where sacrificial ceremonies were once held during the Ming and ding dynasties.

【推荐3】Shows in the New Theatre Cardiff in 2023

The Yorkshire Shepherdess

In this warm-hearted and informative show, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen shares memorable moments and charming stories from her remarkable farming, family life in North Yorkshire. It’s a life that has almost gone in today’s modern world, one ruled by animals and the four seasons.

Date &Time: Saturday, 22 April, 7:30 p.m. & Sunday, 30 April, 6:30 p.m. & 9:30p.m., 2023

Wild

Ben Fogle’s new show Wild brings to life on stage, stories and tales of hope, possibility, and positivity. In this brand-new show full of hope and harmony, Wild is a hair-raising, uplifting and wildly entertaining show that tells the true stories of Ben’s amazing encounters with(相遇)people and animals, and how they changed his life…and the discovery of helping you find your ocean of possibility.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 25 April, 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, 29 April, 3:30pm, 2023

Pop Princesses

A magical show where beautiful princesses become pop stars! This is the children’s pop concert with a big difference. A musical spectacular(盛大演出)stars four fairy tale princesses who just love to sing! It’s the perfect mix.

Date & Time: Saturday, 8 April, 7:00 p.m., 2023

Titanic The Musical

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stunning(惊人的)and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and wishes of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.

Date & Time: 9-13 April, 6:00 p.m., 2023

Click www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for more information.

【推荐2】Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF ORCHARD ROAD, the towering octagonal (八角形的) and green-tiled pagoda roof of the iconic Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has made it an architectural icon since its early years.

From the moment guests enter the hotel, they are greeted with luxury offerings from fine guest rooms to award-winning restaurants, all backed up with perfect and thoughtful customer service. Digitized offerings such as mobile check-in, and a contactless F&B ordering system cater to the needs of a modern-day traveller. This builds assurance and familiarity for guests, allowing them to focus on other priorities.

“We always work hard to greet guests with perfect hospitality, contemporary rooms and unequalled services,” says Mr Alvin Lim, Hotel Manager of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.

Since its opening in 1995, the hotel has not only set the standard for hospitality, but also raised the bar through innovating at every opportunity and earned the trust of travellers across the globe. Key to this is upholding the brand’s three core values by staying true to the brand’s name and heritage; being thoughtful and caring to guests, by having a sharp focus on details; and being forward-thinking, optimistic and open to change.

“As our brand grows and evolves, we will continue to put people first and work towards service excellence,” says Mr Lim. For more information, please click marriotttangplaza.com.

【推荐3】In 1670, two Scottish doctors set up a garden in the city of Edinburgh to find out connections between plants and medicine. That first garden wasn’t very big — about the size of a tennis court. Fast-forward 350 years, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) now covers an area bigger than 1,000 tennis courts. The RBGE’s goal is to “explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future”.

After doctors and distant cousins Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour graduated from university in the mid-17th century, they shared the goal of improving Scottish medicine by looking into botanical (plant-related) research. They found some land near Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh and started to collect plants. They taught students how to grow exotic (外来的) plants and use them to make medicines. As the collection expanded (增加), the garden moved to different sites, including what is now Edinburgh’s Waverley Station.

In 1823, the garden was moved to its current location in Inverleith, a suburb of Edinburgh. It took three years to move the collection of plants and trees using specially built machines. The Tropical Palm House was built in 1834, and it was joined by the larger Temperate Palm House in 1858. Both are still popular with visitors. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the RBGE continued to search for new specimens (标本) from around the world.

The RBGE has about 13,500 species of living plants in its collection today. The herbarium — a collection of dried and protected species — includes more than three million plant samples, which represent more than half of the world’s known plants. The oldest specimen dates back to 1697. Experts continue to recognize new species each year, as well as growing plants that are extinct in their own habitats. The RBGE also works with botanical gardens around the world, including in Africa and South America, and supports them with conservation projects, education and training.

【推荐3】A comfortable base camp is the key to vacationing in style. When you’re ready to travel, stay at one of these four wonderful resorts (旅游胜地) that offer opportunities to enjoy yourself.

It provides access to wonderful natural attractions and exciting adventures like rock climbing. After expending all your energy, come back to home base and emerge at one of the on-site restaurants, waiting rooms and cafes to treat yourself with drinks and dinner.

This far-away resort feels like a secret getaway thanks to the red-rock canyons. Its tiny woodrooms make you feel at home. You’ll have no trouble filling your traveling diaries with wine tours, cowboy lessons and even helicopter rides.

Luxury comes in the form of far-away beauty here. It also gets high marks for outdoor recreation activities. After an afternoon on the green, unwind in front of one of the popular fantastic stone fireplaces to take your time.

It’s a former mining town that shows low-key style. Here you’ll discover special dancing scenes, unique local shops, and street stands selling antiques (古董) of the natives. It’s home to world-class music, cultural and other traditional festivals.