1 . Harbin has witnessed a significant boom that has caused it to trend on social media this winter. By December 30, 2023, the city airport’s annual passenger throughput had gone beyond 3000 million. According to a new report, during the three-day New Year holiday, Harbin received 3.05 million tourists and made income of 5.91 billion yuan, both of which reached record highs.

Harbin, also known as China’s “ice city”, is famous for its ice and snow culture. For over 60 years, the city has had a tradition of holding an annual ice lantern exhibition, presenting the creativity and skill of its artists. Recently, the Ice and Snow World, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest ice and snow park, is just one of many attractions in the city. It features amazing ice and snow sculptures, including replicas(复制品) of famous landmarks, animals, and cartoon characters. In addition, visitors can also enjoy different kinds of snow sports, such as ice skating, ice fishing, and sledding.

Harbin spared no effort to show its sincerity and hospitality(热情好客) to tourists. At the Ice and Snow World, a lot of new experiences have been provided, such as hovercrafts and bicycles on ice, Ferris wheels, and hot air balloons. Tourists were welcomed with live performances at the airport, and dressing rooms were set up for them to change into warm clothing. Local residents supported by traveling during off-peak hours to reduce traffic and offering tourists free rides. For those unable to book hotels, the government opened the Provincial People’s Congress Service Center for low-cost stays.

“For individual travelers, a city’s infrastructure(基础设施) and public services form the foundation of tourism competitiveness. It is only when tourists feel the warmth of the city and the goodwill of its citizens that they blend into the lives of a travel destination,” said Dai Bin, president of China Tourism Academy.

3 . The world is full of fascinating destinations. We are here for you, providing a private tour to suit your particular needs and help you enjoy a great travel around Austria.

Time

June to August is the busiest time of the year with crowds of tourists and lower room availability. If you want to avoid the crowded tourists, the best time to visit Austria lasts from April to May and from September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, better for enjoying outdoor activities such as sightseeing, biking, hiking and adventures. Winter is also a great time to visit since the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are held everywhere, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Cities

Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck are three must-see cities that shouldn’t be missed in your Austria tour packages. Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is famous for its lively art. Salzburg is also a great region where you can enjoy amazing views of the Eastern Alps. It’s also the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart and the film setting for the Sound of Music. Innsbruck, another significant place for sightseeing in Austria, is known for its mountainous backdrop and lots of natural beauty. There are also some. worthy medieval(中世纪的)towns to visit, such as Bad Ischl, Durnstein, Hallstatt, etc.

Transportation

Austria has a wide rail network, connecting all its domestic cities and neighboring countries. Riding on comfortable trains is the best way to travel through the green valleys, the historic towns and the scenic villages.

4 . When I was in third grade, my family and I took on an unforgettable trip across the country. It turned out to be more than just a/an _______ journey; it was a journey of discovery into our _______. Every day, Dad _______ us with his trusty road map. Mom, the heart of our family, shared folk tales and painted pictures about the upcoming _______. We went through diverse _______from the thick forests to the vast deserts of the West.

One day, while hiking through the Grand Canyon, I _______   a particularly rough path. Frightened, I _______, not knowing how to proceed. That’s when my parents _______ .

As Dad showed me footholds, Mom coached me with calming _______and reminded me of the breathtaking views that lay ahead. Then, I________the confidence as my feet ________ solid ground again. When I finally overcame my fear, I felt we became ________ as a family.

From then on, every evening, we’d gather around a campfire for what we________called “Family Reflection Time”. During these sessions, we’d share laughs, ________, and insights from the day’s experiences.

The trip taught me that the true meaning of travel isn’t merely about reaching the destination but about the personal growth that happens on the route, and the family bonds formed when facing ________ together.

5 . Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a symbol of Paris, but a symbol for all of France. Established by Gustave Eiffel to memorize the French Revolution in 1889, the 1,050-foot (320-metre) tower once held the title of the world’s tallest structure.

The Eiffel Tower’s first floor features exhibits, kid-friendly experiences, and the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant; the second floor includes the Jules Verne Restaurant; and the third-floor summit, accessible via a glass elevator, features Gustave Eiffel’s private apartments and a Champagne bar. Of course, all levels offer striking 360-degree views of the City of Light.

Given the structure’s global popularity, the crowds can be quite large, meaning that priority-access tours are highly recommended—in peak season, long lines mean that waits can often be over 3 hours. Save precious sightseeing time by booking a skip-the-line Eiffel Tower ticket with or without a tour guide; this experience can be combined with a Paris city tour. If you’d rather view the iconic (标志性的) structure in all its glory than head to the top, book a Seine River cruise (巡航), or a walking, biking, or Segway tour.

Plan your visit in advance and book skip-the-line tickets to avoid a long wait time.

If you purchase an admission ticket for Eiffel Tower summit access, you’ll head straight to the top before stopping at the lower levels on your downward journey.

There are ATMs and souvenir shops on the ground floor.

The tower’s first two levels are wheelchair accessible, but the summit is not.

You’ll be required to undergo a security screening before entering the tower.

Take metro line 6 to Bir Hakeim or RER line C to the Champ de Mars station. For better views, take metro line 6 or 9 to the Trocadero stop across from the River Seine.

A documentary titled Across the Straits, which describes the cultural bond between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, went online on January 15,     1     (attract) viewers through the historical and cultural bonds between the two sides.

An actor, from Taiwan, and a hostess, from Chinese mainland, are the hosts of the documentary. Together, they undertake     2     cultural exploration of the Guandi Temple in Dongshan County, East China’s Fujian Province.

Guandi Temple, established     3     (honor) the Eastern Han Dynasty warrior Guan Yu, has a history spanning over 600 years. The documentary sheds light on the historical significance of the temple     4     (treasure) by both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

The Guandi culture in Dongshan     5     (possess) numerous distinctive features, not only preserving a series of unique folk traditions     6     terms of cultural heritage but also having a wide-ranging influence on cross-Straits exchanges from a different perspective.

“Countless historical facts and folk anecdotes across the Straits     7     (continue) prove that we share a common history, culture and blood     8     (tie),”the actor said, adding that Dongshan for him feels like returning home.

“It is a place     9     the people speak the Minnan dialect, share devotion to Guan Yu, and collectively uphold the values of loyalty, bravery, courtesy,     10     (wise), and trust,” the actor was quoted as saying.

7 . Getting around Valencia can be exhausting on foot if you want to see it all, but luckily, the city is very bike-friendly.

This 3-hour Valencia bike tour takes you on a lovely journey from the historic center to the beach where you’ll enjoy a drink at the end. If you’re looking for a truly personalized experience, this is it. The guide is super knowledgeable and gives lots of inside information about the sites you pass and local culture along the way.

With the warm lights of the historic center’s cobbled streets, cycling around Valencia is so different than in the day. The tour takes you through Turia Park to the City of Arts and Sciences which is impressively lit up at night. As you cycle past different tourist attractions, the guide will let you in on the history and culture of the city.

Being one of the classical guided bike tours Valencia offers, this takes you to the main tourist attractions in the old town like the Valencia Cathedral, the Silk Exchange, and the Serranos Towers. You’ll bike in Valencia’s longest park, Turia Park, which leads to the City of Arts and Sciences and a must-visit on any trip to the city. On different stops, the guide will fill in with history and anecdotes about the places you pass.

This tour takes you through the old town of Valencia where you’ll see the top tourist spots like the Valencia Cathedral and the Silk Exchange along the way on your own. You’ll pass the City Hall and the complex on your way to Turia Park where Valencia’s bike paths are at their best. Eventually, you’ll reach the City of Arts and Sciences where you can admire the modern architecture and learn more about the impressive complex.

9 . Gettysburg National Military Park was established in 1895, 32 years after the deadly battle. Gettysburg is the most-visited of the Civil War battlefields.

Many visitors start their visit at the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War. The museum has the world’s largest collection of Civil War objects. The museum has more than 1 million items, from soldiers’ private notebooks and uniforms to original maps of the battlefield. The museum also houses the Gettysburg cyclorama (风景画幕) painting, showing the final attack in the Battle of Gettysburg: Pickett’s Charge. George Pickett was a Confederate general. On July 3, 1863, he led a charge against stronger Union forces. It was a disaster for the Confederate soldiers.

French artist Paul Phillippoteaux and a team of 20 artists created the painting in the 1880s. Phillippoteaux and his team visited the battlefield. It took more than one year for the huge painting to be complete. The cyclorama is 114 metres long and almost 13 metres tall. It has long been one of the most popular parts of the Gettysburg experience. But by the 1990s, the painting was in poor condition. Experts warned that if the cyclorama was not repaired, the painting could be lost.

A restoration project began in 2003. The painting was cleaned and separated into its 14 parts, and later moved into the new centre. There, the original canvas (帆布) was sewn onto new cloth made in China. Park service officials say China was one of the few countries able to produce cloth in the sizes needed. Then each part was hung and sewn together.

A team of cyclorama experts from Poland worked on the project in Gettysburg. The repair work of the Gettysburg Cyclorama marked one of the largest art conservation effort ever in North America.

After the museum, tourists can visit the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where many of the Union soldiers who died during the Battle of Gettysburg are buried. The cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863, the same day President Lincoln gave his “Gettysburg Address”. Historians agree that Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address defined Americans as a people who believed in freedom, democracy and equality.