Mountains are important sources of water supply to humans. Among the ecosystem services     1     (provide) by mountains, water supply is     2     most important because of the large quantity of free-flowing water. Mountain water resources are affected by glacier melt, snowmelt run-off or rainfall run-off.

Sustainable (可持续的) use of mountain water resources is important for both humans and global mountain biodiversity in the economic and     3     (society) context of human progress. Particular attention should be given in the water resources     4     (come) from the mountain areas. Sustainability has been     5     (previous) used as a term to describe a concern related to preservation of natural resources for future. The relation between human development and the need     6     (manage) resources forms a principle to design a dialogue regarding environmental needs. So far, a limited number of studies     7     (publish) on mountain water uses and sustainability. Most studies are focused     8     examining prevention, diversions, and mountain water storage during floods or droughts.

However, insights into water use, as well as employing state-of-the-art technologies, are very important from both a technological standpoint and as elements of practical sustainable     9     (solution) . The interplay between academics, policy makers, and decision makers is important in expanding the scientific knowledge of mountain regions and the ways in     10     water resources could be used in a more sustainable way.

3 . The Best Caves in The World

Natural caves don’t come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn’t really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.

Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand’s North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable “Glowworm Caves” nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.

If you have certain expectations from somewhere called “Mammoth Cave”, that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That’s twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn’t unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.

Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave’s walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.

5 . National parks are an excellent way to explore all the beauty that the world has to offer: whether it’s endangered species, erupting volcanoes and snowy mountains, or rainforests and lakes. Of the thousands of national parks that exist in the world, these are the ones that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Contrary (相反) to the popular link of national parks with the wilderness, it is filled with winding valleys, hills and villages where over 24,000 people live and work. Visitors can walk through grassland, visit waterfalls or explore underground caves, but Yorkshire Dales is also home to several food shops, and the park hosts cheese festivals and farmers markets regularly, so it’s best to go hungry.

It is a delight for those who like a bit of history mixed with the biodiversity of national parks. While it houses thousands of species of wildlife, there’s more to the national park than that.

It is surrounded by striking natural beauty and can be explored by land. But the river national park, as the name suggests, is best explored through leisurely boat rides that take visitors through many ancient towns that come along the way of the river.

Here’s a surprising fact: The whole of Vatnajökull National Park makes up 14% of Iceland’s territory! The park is usually open for hikes around the glaciers; boat rides through glacier lakes, and tours that take visitors through the park’s many ice caves, waterfalls, and icebergs. Vatnajökull is also where two of Iceland’s most active volcanoes are located.

6 . Beijing and Xi’an 5-Day Itinerary

This itinerary is top recommended if you are the first time to China. It connects the two classic must-visit cities that allow you to learn most about Chinese civilization and late-imperial and modern-era history.

■ Day 1: Beijing (visit the Forbidden City with a hutong walking tour)

■ Day 2: Beijing (go to the Great Wall and learn about the sacrificial culture in the Temple of Heaven)

■ Day 3: Beijing (visit the famous royal garden — the Summer Palace, and take & bullet train to Xi’an)

■ Day 4: Xi’an (the Terracotta Army with a hands-on terracotta-warrior-making experience and a walking/biking experience on the City Wall)

■ Day 5: Xi’an (visit a famous pagoda and museum to learn about Chinese history)

In Beijing, discover the imperial past in the Forbidden City, which used to be the home of China’s 24 emperors. Hike on the Great Wall to see the watchtowers and majestic natural mountain views.

Stroll around old hutongs, where you could catch a glimpse of the traditional daily lifestyle of Beijing’s local people.

For a more in-depth travel experience, you could visit a local family’s home and learn some Chinese culture and philosophy of living.

The famous Terracotta Warriors is the must-visit attraction. The highlight of the visit would be a hands-on experience of making your own clay warriors. You would learn more about the making, preservation, and story behind the Terracotta Warriors.

Walk on the 600-year-old Ancient City Wall and catch a full view of the city. If time permits, the sunset time would be the best for a stunning view. For learning about Chinese history, Shannxi History Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda are worth visiting.

All our tours can be adjusted based on your needs. Just contact us at https://www.chinahighlights.com/travel guide/.

A new show at the British Museum is on. It explores the mystery of Stonehenge, the famous ancient group of     1    (stone) in Southern England. Neil Wilkin is the lead curator (馆长) of the show,     2     name is The World of Stonehenge. “We all feel we know Stonehenge,     3     actually we often don’t know much about it,” he said.

The show brings together more than 430 objects from across Europe     4    (explore) the creators and their world. One of the first objects visitors to the show see is an ancient cup, which     5    (shape) to look like Stonehenge then. “It’s almost like a prehistoric gift,” said Wilkin. There are many other appealing images in the show, from a wall     6    (cover) in Neolithic stone cutting tools to     7    (beautiful) crafted gold hats and jewelry.

The show’s starring piece is a 3.600-year-old Nebra Sky Disc, a bronze circle with gold signs     8    (represent) the sun, the moon and stars. It is believed to be the     9    (old) surviving map of the sky. Wilkin said, “What we’ve been able to do in the show, I think, is to show that it had a big impact     10     people’s beliefs, and how they saw their identities.”

The Hotan—Ruoqiang railway, part of a 2,712-kilometer-long loop line circling the Taklimakan, was put into     1     (operate) on June 16, 2022, forming the world’s first railway loop line in desert. The line, with a     2     (design) speed of 120 km per hour, connects to the Korla—Kashgar, Kashgar—Hotan and Golmud—Korla railways. The line has 22 stations, half of which provide passenger service,     3     (shorten) the journey from Hotan to Ruoqiang to about 11—and-a-half hours.

The Hotan—Ruoqiang Railway is     4     record of all of the workers’ efforts to overcome a series of technical difficulties brought by the harsh environment in the west desert.   In the sections     5     sandstorms are particularly serious, plants and trees were planted along the line. To reduce any harm     6     the line, bridges have been built over the sand, which allow the sand     7     (come) across down the bridges. It can not only protect its existing plants and animals, but also help with the governance of the desert without destroying the     8     (origin) ecology.

The line so far     9     (bring) railway service to some new places in southern Xinjiang. It benefits the local people in the region     10     (economic) and environmentally.