1 . Colorful Natural Wonders on Earth

The world can be kind of a boring place without the colorful natural wonders. So that’s what I’ve decided to treat you to!

Rising in the Sierra de Huelva mountains of southwestern Spain, this 62-mile river gets its stunning orange and red colors from copper, iron, and other heavy metals. The best way to enjoy the beauty is by visiting the small mining town of Nerva. Note that only about half the length of the river features these colors.

Known by Stoney Nakota First Nations folks as Ho-run-num-nay, this glacial lake located in Banff National Park gets its turquoise color from finely grained rock particles contained within the ice as it melts in the lake. If you’re a big fan of the movie Thelma & Louise, you’ll be happy to know that there also happens to be a Lake Thelma.

Provence, a geographical region of southeastern France is famous in the summers for its lush lavender fields. To see them with your own eyes, mosey on up to the Luberon and Verdon plateau regions north of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, or head east past Avignon. But the window is rather brief; they start to blossom around the beginning of June and then by mid-July they’re done-zo.

Huge rice stan? Anyway, Yunnan, China is calling your name. With a history going back more than 1,200 years, this series of rice-growing terraces — covering territory more than one million acres — are located in the western part of the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. It sure took them long enough!

Located at the     1     (enter) of the Qutang Gorge on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, and only a 20 - minute ride from Fengjie, Baidi Town was the birthplace of the ancient Ba and Shu     2     ( state) over 2, 000 years ago. According to a local folk tale, when construction of the town began, a stream of white steam     3     (rise) up from a well, like a white dragon     4     (fly) up to the sky. The town was therefore named Baidi, meaning Heavenly White Dragon.

During the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), Emperor Liu Bei of the Shu Kingdom was disastrously defeated by the Wu Kingdom and retreated to Baidi. After     5     series of bloody defense battles, they stationed there. He fell     6     (serious) ill and just before his death he confided his state affairs to his son Liu Shan, the future emperor of the Shu, and to his prime minister, Zhuge Liang. This incident later became     7     (know) as “Entrusting the orphan to Zhuge Liang at Baidi”.

Baidi Town is now a group of temple like courtyard buildings, surrounded by beautiful scenery,       8     makes it hard for people to connect the place with bloody wars. To modern military theory the terrain is no longer as important     9     before. But in the age of cold steel, the Three Gorges served as a     10     (defend) barrier which enemies had to take.

I’m so happy to know that you are planning to visit my hometown, the Cool City· Liupanshui.

Yours,

Li Hua

Guiyang City, capital of Guizhou Province is     1    （locate）in the southwest of China, on the eastern side of the Yungui Plateau.     2     is said that in ancient times, Guiyang was surrounded by dense bamboo groves and was famous for producing     3     musical instrument     4     (know) as a Zhu. Hence the city is known also as Zhu.   Guiyang is one of China's Spring Cities like Kunming. The climate is often mild and moist, neither     5     (extreme) hot nor very cold. Spring, summer and autumn are the    6    (much )seasons for visiting Guiyang.

A great number of attractive     7    (sight) are to be found here, the Hongfeng Lake (Red Maple Lake), Huaxi Park and an     8     (abundant) of historical relics of the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as the Jiaxiu Tower, Wenchang Pavilion, Yangming Cave and the Qingyan Ancient Town. All of these scenic spots have     9    （they）own interesting stories.

Guiyang is home to more than 30 minority ethnic groups including Miao, Buyi, Dong and Hui, etc. Consequently the city abounds with unique folk culture and traditions    10    give rise to many colorful ethnic minority activities.