1 . TikTok, the widely popular social media platform, has taken the world by storm with its short-form videos and addictive content. But did you know that there is also a Chinese version of TikTok?

The Chinese version of TikTok is called Douyin, and it has quickly become one of the most widely used apps in China. Launched in 2016 by Beijing-based tech company ByteDance, Douyin has attracted an enormous user base and reshaped the social media landscape in China.

So, how did Douyin gain such vast popularity in China?

One of the factors contributing to Douyin’s success is the large population of smartphone users in China. With over 1.4 billion people, China has a massive user base for social media platforms. Additionally, the rise in internet penetration and the availability of affordable smartphones have made it easier for people to access and use Douyin.

Douyin takes advantage of China’s culture of sharing and enjoying bite-sized content. In China. there has always been a strong demand for short-form entertainment, including popular formats like variety shows, quick comedy skits, and music videos. Douyin provides a platform for users to easily create and share short videos, allowing them to express their creativity and talent.

Douyin leverages the power of social network effects. Users can follow each other, like and comment on videos, and engage with a large community of like-minded individuals. This sense of belonging and community encourages them to spend more time on the platform.

Moreover. Douyin continuously improves its features and algorithms to enhance user experience and keep users engaged. The app uses advanced AI technology to analyze user preferences and provide personalized recommendations, ensuring that users see content that is relevant and interesting to them.

Overall, the rise of the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the large smartphone user base, the popularity of short-form entertainment in China, social network effects, and continuous improvements in features and algorithms.

5 . Birmingham is the second largest city of the United Kingdom. It lies near the geographic center of England. It’s one of England’s major industrial and commercial areas. Here’re some places in Birmingham you may be interested in living in.

Located 7.5 miles southeast of Birmingham, Solihull offers the best of both worlds for the perfect combination of city and country living. With several top-rated schools, Solihull is a perfect location for families, and with over 1,500acres of parks, there’re plenty of green spaces to keep the kids entertained as well. With easy transport links into Birmingham, it’s a great choice for commuters (通勤人员) and what’s more, Birmingham Airport is located in Solihull.

Situated five miles northeast of the city center, Erdington has to be one of the best places to live in and around Birmingham. This is a very well-connected city suburb, with easy motorway access, great bus links and a railway station on the Cross City Line.

If you’re looking to buy your first home in Birmingham, Digbeth could be the perfect choice. The area is a hub for the creative industry, with the Custard Factory and Fazeley Studios both hosting a huge variety of digital and cultural businesses. It’s very tolerant of all kinds of culture, making it one of the most dynamic places to live in.

Edgbaston is one of the richest areas in Birmingham, well-known for its green spaces and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. There’re many other attractions for those not interested in sports, including the pretty Victorian campus of Birmingham University and multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. It is a suitable place to live in.

The long-awaited TV series Blossoms Shanghai has been released in two versions — Mandarin (普通话) and the Shanghai dialect — on Dec 27, quickly soaring as one of the     1     (popular) dramas during the New Year’s period.

    2     (adapt) from writer Jin Yucheng’s award-winning novel, Fan Hua, the series takes audience back to Shanghai in     3     early 1990s, following the rise of A Bao, an ambitious young man     4     seizes the opportunities of the early stock (股票) market and     5     (transform) into a self-made millionaire, expanding his business to foreign trade.

Amid his journey to success, the protagonist (主角) has received help from multiple     6     (friend), including a seasoned former businessman, a capable employee from a foreign trade company,     7     a restaurant operator. However, his relationship with them undergoes a really big test due to a mysterious woman, and his own business also faces a crisis due to a powerful opponent from Shenzhen.

    8     (current), this drama has sparked heated discussions online, with some netizens     9     (praise) it as the “most artistic TV show of the year”. However, it has also received negative reviews. Some viewers said the television version’s story is too fragmented (零散) and not as “down to earth” as the     10     (origin) novel.

8 . 4 World-Class Ski Resorts That Don’t Cost Much

Purgatory

Purgatory Resort represents the classic Rocky Mountain skiing experience, with open alpine runs, powdery glades(雪道) , aspen groves(白杨林)and Colorado sunshine. New lifts and strategic snow-making improve the attractions of carefree runs and parents will welcome the wallet-friendly Power Kids policy: Children 12 and under ski free. Day lift tickets from $44 to $139.

Nelson

The small mountain town of Nelson, British Columbia, has its reputation for some of B. C. ‘s best skiing, with deep, dry powder blanketing its 2, 367 acres. Skiers can enjoy old style chairlifts, uncrowded slopes, 40 feet of powder annually and a lodge with food. The ski hill boasts no Wi-Fi, and in town the nightlife maintains Nelson’s unique identity. Day lift ticket from $74.

Bridger Bowl

Just sixteen miles north of Bozeman, Mont, is Bridger Bowl, a nonprofit resort rich in ski culture and loved by local families and college students. Its 2, 700 feet of vertical drop includes a mixture of a green hand and intermediate(中级的)glades, plus challenging pitches for excited seekers. All key ski-day needs are available. Day lift ticket from $70.

Mad River Glen

Ski-cooperative Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, Vt, is a legend in American ski culture. Unlike at many U. S. ski areas, daily skier numbers are limited and leisurely lifts let ascending skiers take in the view. The clean and tidy base lodge remains the major center to recharge and warm up, and retrieve belongings casually left on hooks all day. Day lift ticket from S49.

10 . Day 1 Kuitun-Huocheng

Drive to Huocheng for about 6 hours, where 29 minority groups live. After checking in at the hotel, drive to the Sayram Lake, which is also praised as “the last drop of the Atlantic tears”. The best time to visit it is from June to August, when the water is extremely clear and blue and many unknown flowers are in the full blossom (盛开).

Day 2 Huocheng-Yining

In the morning, visit the Khorgos Port between China and Kazakhstan. Have a brief visit to the border cooperation area. Then visit the lavender flora (薰衣草植物群) park. It is the third largest lavender park in the word, only after Provence and Furano. At last, drive to Yining and check in at the hotel.

Day 3 Yining-Nalati Grassland

The Nalati Grassland is a famous pasture (牧场) since ancient times. This is also a famous tourism and holiday resort in Xinjiang which is well-known for beautiful grassland scenery. You could join in the horse riding on the boundless grassland and get close to the local KaZak culture. It is much colder here than in the city especially in the morning and evening, so please take some warm clothes with you.

Day 4 Nalati-Bayanbulak

Today’s private tour will cover the Bayanbulak Grassland and the Swan Lake Natural Reserve. The Bayanbulak Grassland is the second largest grassland in China being known for rich grass, numerous flocks of sheep and varied plants. The Swan Lake is located in this grassland. Actually, it is made of a group of small lakes. You could go up to the Bird Watch Platform built there to appreciate the splendid scenery of the swans, lakes, mountains, clouds, and blue sky.