In ancient times, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, in Eastern China was called Jing kou.    1     (locate) at the golden cross of the Yangtze River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it is a place of     2     (strategy) importance.

The upper reaches of the Yangtze River deposit a lot of silt (淤泥) here,     3    has gradually built up into a small island in the river.

There are three beautiful mountains here—Jinshan Mountain, Beigu Mountain and Jiaoshan Mountain, which are     4     (close) connected with the Yangtze River and are called the Three Mountains of Jingkou.

Jinshan mountain is only 42 meters above sealevel.    5    Jinshan mountain is said to be on the Yangtze River, because the rivers course has moved to the north, JinShan is now some distance away from the Yangtze.

Beigu Mountain, 10 meters     6     (high) than Jinshan Mountain, is just beside the Yangtze River. From here, Jinshan Mountain can     7     (see) in the west and Jiaoshan Mountain in the east. Around the foot of the mountain     8     (flow) the mighty river.

Jiaoshan, the highest of the three,     9    an altitude of 70.7 meters and an area of 38 hectares, is located in the Yangtze River, surrounded by water. Encircled by the green waves, the green mountain looks like a piece of jade     10     (float) on the river.

Shichahai is a famous scenic area in the northwest part of Beijing,     1     (surround) places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants(残留) of old-style local residences hutong and courtyard.

Shichahai is always     2     good place for local residents’ recreational life, and in the past 200 years, many government officers and celebrities     3     (choose) to build mansions and temples in it. Thus, the     4     (attract) of Shichahai lies not only in its natural beauty, but also in the historical value of its architecture. The most famous ones among these historical buildings are Prince Gong’s Mansion (Gong Wang Fu), Price Chun’s Mansion (Chun WangFu),     5     the Former Residence of Mei Lanfang, a well known Beijing Opera master.

One of the     6     (great) point s of interest in Shichahai today is its residences hutong and courtyard. Visiting hutongs by pedicab(三轮车) has become a popular activity for     7     (visitor) from China and abroad. The most famous is Jin Si Tao, which     8     (actual) includes 18 hutongs and keeps the original layout.

Some snack streets also lie in Shichahai, and people can find two old brands here. One is Lao Rou Ji, a restaurant selling roast meat,     9     has a history of over 150 years. The other is Bao Du Zhang that has sold     10     (cook) tripe of sheep(羊肚) for four generations.

Xi’an, an ancient capital of China, has secured a place among the most popular     1     (destination) for the enchanting appeal. While     2     (it) historical and cultural landmarks awe visitors, it is the varied, mouthwatering selection of snacks that     3     (true) captivates their hearts.

With its strategic location along the Silk Road, Xi’an is a melting pot of cuisine influences from far and wide, and its history of growing wheat     4     (bring) the creation of a display of flour-based dishes, with noodles taking center stage.

From the iconic biangbiang noodles to the inviting oil-splashed noodles, Xi’an’s noodle scene is a     5     (delight) journey through flavors and textures. Biangbiang noodles, are named for the “biang-ing” sound the noodles are said to make when     6     (beat) on the table as they are being formed. While the appeal of biangbiang noodles is     7     they are wide and hand-pulled, their toppings with tasty ingredients are also a highlight. Another iconic snack, roujiamo, is often referred to     8     the “Chinese hamburger”. This sandwich-like delight has a lengthy history     9     (date) back approximately 2,400 years.

Whatever you’d like to experience in Xi’an, you’ll not only have     10     taste delight, but be amazed by the wisdom of our ancestors throughout history.

Yours,

Li Hua

10 . 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.