Lǎozìhào refers to the old and famous shops, which have always been reliable and trustworthy and still enjoy     1     irreplaceable position in people’s minds since long time. Not only do they represent high quality and good reputation, they have also become an indispensable part in     2     (people) daily life.

These famous and time-honored shops, eg, Quanjude and Tongrentang,     3     (locate) in Qianmen, the center of Beijing, all have represented the highly developed     4     (commerce) culture of old Beijing.

But these shops are more about businesses; they are also a historical and cultural phenomenon. He     5     has never tasted a roast duck will regret his whole life--such common sayings have made Quanjude a     6     (represent) of Beijing. Many other similar two-part allegorical sayings among the folks have also     7     (vivid) revealed the very characteristics of these old shops.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of economy and fierce competition in modern society, some Lǎozìhào shops have been keeping pace     8     the times and carrying forward their brands through continuous reforms and innovations. That’s why they    9     (stand) the test of time and survived in competition, while some others have faded into the history due to their inability     10     (adapt) to the rapid changes in modern social life.

Recently, Guangzhou has successfully hosted the “Understanding China” International Conference 2023, the 5th World Media Summit, and other significant events, once again highlighting its role as    1    window for the world to comprehend China’s high-quality development. So,     2    Guangzhou? Let’s find out.

    3    (gain) a deeper understanding of China, one must experience its history and culture. With a history of over 2, 000 years and a rich cultural heritage, Guangzhou offers a variety of historical and cultural    4    (treasure). In this city, you can sip a cup of coffee while watching Cantonese opera in Yongqingfang or taste Cantonese dim sum while gazing at Western-style architecture on Shamian Island.

Economy is another crucial aspect in understanding China. In recent years, Guangzhou has    5    (active) participated in the Belt and Road international cooperation, gradually    6     (establish) a comprehensive, multi-level, and wide-ranging pattern of opening-up. As a thousand-year-old commercial city known for the Canton Fair, Guangzhou has drawn    7    (globe) attention with its open genes and prosperous economy.

Connecting with the world also requires a highly    8    (develop) transportation network. Guangzhou has constructed a modern three-dimensional transportation system that links airports, seaports, railway ports, and digital ports, providing easy access    9    both domestic and foreign participants.

Guangzhou’s openness, inclusiveness, vitality, and innovative spirit make it an ideal choice for hosting international events, which, in turn,     10     (help) the economic and social development of the city.

The Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is perfect for visitors     1     (experience) China’s rich culture. The area is known     2     “Qiaoxi,” which means to the west of a bridge. Because its     3     (locate) is on the western side of Hangzhou’s famous Gongchen Bridge, an ancient structure     4     (lay) across the Grand Canal.

Once a busy market for local trade in ancient times and     5     industrial area in modern times, the Qiaoxi Block has now become a tourism district. Visitors can enjoy Chinese culture up close through a blend (混合) of     6     (tradition) business trade, scenic spots and residential areas. It is also a place     7     several museums meet together, including the China Knives, Scissors and Swords Museum, the China Umbrella Museum, and the China Fan Museum and so on.

    8     (walk) along the street, visitors can encounter street performances featuring local folk arts, or take their children to a Chinese medicine workshop,     9     try their hand at gaining cultural heritage skills at the Handicraft Dynamic Museum.

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal     10     (list) on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, where the two heritage sites of the Gongchen Bridge and the Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block were included in the project as well.

Ink as one of the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper and inkstone), is a    1     (necessary) in Chinese painting and calligraphy. Ink is     2     (typical) produced from an ink stick with a little water. Ink stick, the solid form of ink, can last much longer than the liquid variety and is easier     3     (transport). The most famous ink sticks in China are the Hui Ink Sticks produced in Anhui Province. The Hui Ink Sticks use pine wood     4     its main raw ingredient,     5     is then mixed with another about 20 different materials. The manufacturing procedure includes lighting the smoke, blending the materials together, pressing the ink sticks, drying by airing, filling the margin     6     boxing them up. The ink produced from these sticks is shiny black. For centuries, the Hui Ink Sticks     7     (produce) through the traditional methods.     8     simple and single, ink sticks are essential in Chinese calligraphy and painting,     9     (present) the splendid artistic conceptions to people. What’s more, ink sticks make it possible that modern people today still can appreciate the masterpieces     10     (create) tens of centuries ago.

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.

First-time visitors to Chengdu may find it to be a city with rich cultural heritage. The emblem(标志) of a gold leaf,     1     (feature) four flying birds surrounding the sun, can be seen everywhere in the city. The emblem, which represents Chengdu,    2    (choose) as the symbol of China Cultural Heritage by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2005.

After the discovery of the Sanxingdui Ruins in the city of Guanghan in 1929,    3    was believed to be one of Sichuan’s most important archaeological finds, a 3,000-year-old gold-leaf sunbird was unearthed at the Jinsha Ruins in 2001. In 2018, Chengdu made the decision     4     (become) a world cultural city. In recent years, Chengdu’s efforts to globalize have accelerated,    5     a series of major international cultural and sports activities have been held, laying the foundation for it to build     6     into a world-famous tourist city.

Chengdu’s     7     (attract) range from giant pandas     8     the poetic legacy of the Du Fu Thatched Cottage. Hidden in thick greenery, the Temple of Marquis Wu was built as     9     memorial hall in honor of Zhuge Liang and now China’s personification of loyalty and wisdom. The city also offers a museum including a cottage modelled after the poetic descriptions of Du Fu, one of China’s     10     (great) poets, emphasizing his influence on Chinese literature.

The Old Town of Lijiang, lying in the northwest of Yunnan Province, is one of the last     1     (survive) ancient towns in China. The architecture of the Old Town of Lijiang is noteworthy for the     2     (combine) of elements from several cultures, and its ancient water-supply system still functions     3     (effective) today.

The Yulong Snow Mountain to the north-west     4     (serve) as the source of the rivers and springs. This town is made up     5     three parts: Dayan Old Town established in the Ming Dynasty as a commercial centre, Baisha housing cluster established earlier during the Song and Yuan dynasties, and Shuhe housing clusters located 4 km north-west of Dayan Old Town. These settlements lying in mountains and     6     (surround) by water display the mixture of local cultures, folk customs and traditions over several centuries.

It     7     (design) as a town around the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty. From 1253 on, the Naxi people of Lijiang developed     8     unique social system, customs and culture of their own. In the 18th century, the Qing Dynasty rulers carried out a policy of     9     (culture) interaction, and the Naxi people adopted the customs of the Tibetan     10     Han peoples. Despite several earthquakes, most of the old town keeps its original structure.

Imperial Mountain Resort in Chengde used to be the resort of emperors of Qing Dynasty. Situated in the city of Chengde in northeastern Hebei Province, the resort is     1     (convenient) accessible by either train or long-distance bus. And the resort,     2     constructions started in 1703 and took 89 years to complete, is regarded as one of China’s four famous gardens.

Surrounded by lakes, forest and mountains, it is China’s     3     (large) existing imperial garden and the former summer capital of the Qing Dynasty,     4     (cover) an area of 5.64 million square meters. The size of Chengde Summer Resort is as big as that of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace     5     (combine). The 10-km-long wall around it winds its way through plains and high mountains     6     the Great Wall.

The resort and the 12 Buddhist temples at its periphery (外围) were built during the Qing Dynasty. It served as the second political center of the Qing imperial court     7     the emperors of the early Qing Dynasty often spent their summers there, conducting state     8     (affair) and engaging in important political activities. The resort and its outer temples and palaces have made Chengde     9     famous historical and cultural city, and one of China’s leading scenic spots. The Imperial Resort     10     (list) in the directory of the world’s cultural heritages in 1994.