1 . World Heritage sites in China
Now, China has 56 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Ancient City of Ping Yao
Built more than 2,700 years ago, the Ancient City of Ping Yao is the best preserved ancient Han Chinese city. It gives insight into the ancient prosperous business pioneers, who established the first banks in China during Ming and Qing dynasties (14th-20th centuries).
The city was listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO on December 3, 1997.
Classical Gardens of Suzhou
Suzhou, a city in East China’s Jiangsu province, is famous for its classical gardens. Built between the Northern Song Dynasty and the late Qing Dynasty (11-19th century), the classical gardens of Suzhou feature miniature rocks, hills and elegant pavilions set amidst murmuring waters. The classical gardens of Suzhou were added onto the list on December 4, 1997.
Ancient Villages in southern Anhui—Xidi and Hongcun
Located in southern Anhui, Xidi and Hongcun belong to the category of architectural complexes, with a high historical and artistic value.
The villages represent the architectural features of the Huizhou-style residential houses in the period of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Xidi and Hongcun were added onto the list on November 30, 2000.
Fujian Tulou
Located in East China’s Fujian province, the 46 multi-storey earthen houses were built on a base of stone for defense purposes. The architectural arts of the Fujian Tulou can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, and their design incorporates the tradition of feng shui. Tulou was added onto the list on July 6, 2008.
For more information about the world heritage sites in China, please click the link below.
1. Which of the following sites was first listed as a World Heritage Site?| A．Ancient City of Ping Yao. | B．Classical Gardens of Suzhou. |
| C．Xidi and Hongcun. | D．Fujian Tulou. |
| A．Fujian Tulou was built with the intention of defending. |
| B．Ancient City of Ping Yao was the best preserved Chinese city. |
| C．Classical Gardens of Suzhou were built for the ancient emperors. |
| D．Xidi and Hongcun represent the architectural features of northern Anhui. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A website. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A travel booklet. |
2 . Highest Mountains in the World
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant(休眠的)volcano, is the highest mountain in Africa. Its summit is 5, 895 meters above sea level. Located in Tanzania, it is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world, meaning it is not part of a mountain range. Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant and could possibly erupt again.
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in Asia and the highest mountain in the world. Its summit is 8, 848. 86 meters above sea level. It is located in the Himalaya Mountain Range on the border of Nepal and China. The Chinese name is Chomolungma, which means “Mother Goddess of the World”. The Nepali name is Sagarmatha, which has various meanings.
Denali
Denali is the highest mountain in North America. Its summit is 6, 193 meters above sea level. It is located in the USA, in the state of Alaska. “Denali” comes from Koyukon, a traditional native Alaskan language, and means “the tall one”. This name had been used for many generations and was used by early non-native researchers and naturalists. But in 1896, William A. Dickey, a prospector(探矿者), began calling Denali “Mount McKinley”, in honor of William McKinley, a presidential candidate at the time.
Mount Vinson
Mount Vinson is the highest mountain on Antarctica. Its summit is 5, 140 meters above sea level. It is located in the summit plateau of Vinson Massif, near the base of the Palmer Peninsula in western Antarctica. Mount Vinson is part of the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains. It was spotted from the air by U. S. pilot Lincoln Ellsworth in 1935.
1. Why is Kibo the most dangerous one among the three volcanoes?| A．It is the highest of the three volcanoes. |
| B．It is covered with snow all through the year. |
| C．It is home to a great number of wild animals. |
| D．It is likely to erupt again sometimes in the future. |
| A．Mount Kilimanjaro. | B．Denali. |
| C．Mount Everest. | D．Mount Vinson. |
| A．An American. | B．An Australian. |
| C．A Frenchman. | D．A Japanese. |
