Shennongjia is one of the most popular scenic spots in China. It is said to be the place     1     the Emperor Yan once lived. Some visitors hope that they may even encounter the legendary “wild man”. They do not actually see any wild man,       2     they’re attracted by Shennongjia’s natural wonders and rich biodiversity. Shennongjia’s beauty     3     (vary) over the year as nature takes     4     (it) course. Tourists can enjoy flower blossoms in spring, be shaded from the summer heat, appreciate red leaves in   autumn and go skiing in winter.

Official data showed that tourist     5     (visit) to Shennongjia Forestry District reached more than 15.5 million last year. And the forest area aims     6     (increase) that annual figure to over 30 million in the near future. The journey to Shennongjia will take up to five hours from nearby Yichang and Shiyan cities. By July, it’s estimated that Shennongjia will be linked to a newly built high- speed railway,     7     (make) the mountainous region more     8     (access).

    9     Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, tourists can buy a discounted ticket of the six major scenic areas in Shennongjia for 99 yuan, about 40 percent of     10     original price.