Mount Emei,World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in China,
The Leshan Giant Buddha, lying at the eastern foot of Mount Emei,
Mount Emei with its natural and cultural values well interconnected is attracting
2 . Spring is just around the corner, but if you are tired of sunflowers, tulips (郁金香) and other standard gardens, why not head to one of these mysterious and wonderful botanical gardens？
Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada
One of the rarest flowers you’ll find at Butchart Gardens is the Meconopsis, otherwise known as the Tibetan blue poppy. The most impressive flowers can be found in the borders, where you’ll find over one million bedding plants. And although the gardens are famous for their perennials (多年生植物), 300,000 spring-flowering plants are grown every year, and over 900 varieties of plants are grown for the summer gardens alone.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of a handful of botanic gardens to grow only native plants. Some of the most popular varieties include the king protea, which produces enormous flowers between autumn and summer, and the rare silver tree, a silky-leaved plant, which experts believe could become extinct in the next 50 years.
Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado, US
Once native to South Africa, these oddly-named flowers are famously drought-hardy, making them perfect for this part of North America. This garden is one of the few to focus on draught-tolerant plants from Colorado and the grasslands of Africa, Mongolia and Argentina. In fact, Colorado is home to nine species of endangered plant, and several can be found here.
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromso, Norway
Visit the world’s northernmost botanical garden and you’ll find a breathtaking collection of plants from the world’s polar and mountainous regions including, in the Himalaya section, the rare giant Tibetan blue poppy, with its huge flowers and metre-high stem. You’ll also see the Wilander buttercup, which can only be found in the quite terrible areas of Svalbard’s unforgiving icy islands.
1. Which botanical garden only plants local species?| A．Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden. | B．Denver Botanic Gardens. |
| C．Butchart Gardens. | D．Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. |
| A．Rare and hot-tolerant. | B．Smelly and ill-looking. |
| C．Large and tall. | D．Endangered and colorful. |
| A．To analyze the features of plants. | B．To make an advertisement. |
| C．To protect the endangered plants. | D．To introduce some fantastic gardens. |
3 . As the second largest city of the Republic of Korea, Busan draws global attention. Here are some routes for visitors to have fun.
The First RouteStart off at the Haeundae Beach, where you can take a walk, sip a coffee, or try local fishcakes before heading up to BUSAN X the SKY. This observatory occupies the top floors of the city’s highest structure, where you’l1 be attracted by the wonderful urban views. You can also visit the old Haedong Yonggunsa Temple along the route.
The Second RouteWith its popular Songdo Cable Car moving quickly over the water to a park, this route offers amazing views of the city’s traditional core. It’s just a quick taxi to the Yeongdo Island, home to some of Busan’s oldest neighborhoods, including the Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Overlooking the water, the whole picture that you can see is arguably the most romantic scene.
The Third RouteAs a port city, you should head to the old harbor district of Nampo-dong to find its real charm. This is where you’ll find the Jagalchi Market, the open-air seafood market that’s not only a strong wave to the senses but also the city’s living and beating heart. Walk along its gathering as you see fresh seafood from the sea, along with the vendors (摊贩) who sell it all.
The Fourth RouteShinsegae Centum City is not far from the Gwangalli Beach, a crowded area of sand,cafes, and eateries looking out across the water to the Gwangan Bridge. There will be a cool drone (无人机) show on Saturday in the evening of a hot summer and a fireworks festival in November. For a unique experience, book a sunset stand up paddle boarding (SUP) trip to the bridge back with professional surfers.
1. What do the first two routes have in common?| A．They both have cool drone shows. |
| B．They both have thrilling water parks. |
| C．They both have historical attractions. |
| D．They both have popular coffee stores. |
| A．Its SUP trip above the water. | B．Its open and wide view. |
| C．Its scenic walking hotspot. | D．Its impressive market. |
| A．The Fourth Route. | B．The Second Route. |
| C．The Third Route. | D．The First Route. |
4 . Sitting on the edge of the world, Sydney is considered as one of the world’s greatest cities for a reason. Want to relax yourself in Sydney? This shortlist of things to do and see in Sydney should point you in the right direction.
Hit the beaches
Everyone knows about Bondi Beach and its Icebergs pool, restaurants and the crashing waves are the postcard image of Sydney. Bondi is a great place to start. But after you’ve caught some sun or taken a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing, we’d suggest taking the Coogee Coastal Walk. Beginning at the Bondi Icebergs swim club, the 3.7-mile walk affords amazing cliffside views of rock pools and bays.
Catch a show
Sydney is full of events and performances every night of the week. The first place that jumps to mind is the iconic Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this incredible piece of architecture doesn’t just do opera. You’ll also find stand-up comedy, ballets, and more. But it’s not the only place in Sydney putting on a show. The 1920s State Theatre, in the central business district, is known to host international ballets, concerts and world-class orchestras.
Go to the zoo
From the skyline views to the charming grounds, there’s a reason why Sydney’s Taronga Zoo attracts more than 1 million visitors every year. The expansive space plays host to more than 4,000 animals, including tigers, giraffes, kangaroos, platypus, koalas, Komodo dragons, elephants, lions, chimps and more. Love it so much that you never want to leave? Stay the night in one of its luxury safari（狩猎）tents.
Climb the bridge
Nicknamed “the coathanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. Like the Sydney Opera House, it was an engineering masterpiece that was way ahead of its time. Sure, you can walk or cycle across the bridge, but the best way to appreciate the architectural wonder is up close and personal.
1. What can you do at Bondi Beach?| A．Enjoy an outdoor concert. | B．Appreciate incredible architecture. |
| C．Enjoy cliffside views. | D．Cycle along the Coogee Coast. |
| A．In a safari tent. | B．In your own car. |
| C．At a five-star hotel. | D．On a rest bench. |
| A．They both hold operas. |
| B．They are engineering classics. |
| C．They were built in the 19th century. |
| D．They are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. |
5 . The rapid and uncontrolled expansion of today’s cities is causing anxiety not only among urban planners and architects, but also experts in the field of public health. They are alarmed that the disorder of the urban expansion is robbing the population of its basic health and well-being through environmental pollution, inadequate housing and the increasing numbers of neighbors who do not know neighbors.
Beijing, a city of over 21 million residents, is an example of this social isolation. Until the early 1980s, the Chinese capital, was constructed as quantities of Siheyuan. This open structure greatly strengthened contact between neighbors, encouraged the sharing of resources, and formed close relations between families. Because of these characteristics, these structures were described as “collections of small rural villages”. Until the mid-1980s, only a few skyscrapers disrupted the harmony of the landscape. Today Beijing has the look and feel of a modern city, where these “small rural villages” have been replaced by towering skyscrapers. This striking change is not limited to outer structures; it has also dramatically changed the closeness of human relations.
Physical isolation has destroyed the local sense of solidarity (团结), and contributed to the destruction of what were once united family groups. As the distance between home and the workplace has also increased considerably, workers now find themselves devoting what was once valuable family time to exhausting commutes in overcrowded buses or subways.
The disordered growth of today’s cities can no longer be ignored. The great challenge is how to improve the quality of urban life by ensuring harmonious growth. Skyscrapers should not be the only view people can see in a city. Old-fashioned but unique architecture reflects history, character — even the culture of a city. Cities should learn from the experiences of other cities with similar characteristics. This effort requires not only the participation of urban planners but public health and environmental experts, politicians, and fundamentally, the communities themselves.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．People in the city don’t know their neighbors. |
| B．Experts are concerned about housing problems. |
| C．Cities’ disordered development has caused problems. |
| D．Environmental pollution is harmful to people’s basic health. |
| A．People in Beijing become isolated. |
| B．Siheyuan in Beijing becomes precious. |
| C．The outer structure of Beijing becomes messy. |
| D．Skyscrapers make Beijing become international. |
| A．Loss the citizens’ sense of responsibility. |
| B．People’s freedom to enjoy the leisure time. |
| C．Reconstruction of the united family groups. |
| D．Workers being worn out on the way to work. |
| A．Cities should completely follow the pattern of other cities. |
| B．The development of a city is at the expense of its elegance. |
| C．Old-fashioned architectures and skyscrapers can coexist in a city. |
| D．Communities play the most important role in harmonious growth of cities. |
1. What do we know about the Museum of Fine Arts?
| A．There are five separate parts. |
| B．It houses collections dating from 3000 B. C. |
| C．It is one of the greatest museums in the world. |
| A．The Gallery of Modern Art. |
| B．The Gallery of Classic Art. |
| C．The Gallery of Sculpture. |
| A．Ancient coins. |
| B．Classic paintings. |
| C．French modern art. |
| A．At 11:00 a. m. |
| B．At 3:00 p. m. |
| C．At 4:00 p. m. |
7 . Can't-Miss Romantic Sunset Spots
As the sky fills with pinks and purples, it’s hard to not be fascinated by the beauty of Mother Nature’s sunsets. Enjoying a sunset with a romantic partner can make the occasion more special. The sunset watching spots on this list are perfect for Valentine’s Day — or anytime you want a little extra romance.
Beauty by the Sea
Cartagena Bay
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
A sunset cruise (航游) on the Bay of Cartagena is the perfect way to end your day when you are exploring the city that had its first residents in 4,000 B.C. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has beautiful beaches and a historic old town ready for arm-in-arm wandering. Anarchipelago, the beautiful Rosario Islands, is a one-hour boat ride from the mainland.
Love and Light
Eiffel Tower
PARIS
Whether you call it the City of Light or the City of Love, both nicknames for Paris hold true when you’re on top of the Eiffel Tower with your loved one at sunset. Watch the city lights come up as the sun goes down, champagne (香槟) in hand. Four restaurants are in this area. Plan to reserve your table weeks before arriving in town.
Sunset in a Sphere (球体)
AI Faisaliah Tower
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
The 876-foot AI Faisaliah Tower was the first skyscraper built in Saudi Arabia. The viewing platform provides an incredible look at the city, but for a romantic evening, make a reservation at The Globe. This three-story restaurant is housed inside the giant glass sphere at the top of the tower, surrounding you with the impressive view as you enjoy European cuisine with perfect service.
1. If you are a history lover, which place is the best choice?| A．Eiffel Tower. |
| B．AI Faisaliah Tower. |
| C．Cartagena Bay. |
| D．City of Love. |
| A．Watch city lights. |
| B．Enjoy food. |
| C．Explore beautiful beaches. |
| D．Experience AI service. |
| A．An academic article. |
| B．An educational website. |
| C．A geography textbook. |
| D．A travel brochure. |
1. What did Alice do in Bangladesh?
| A．She took part in a tree-planting project. |
| B．She studied the climate change there. |
| C．She visited her family. |
| A．By joining in a marathon. |
| B．By cooking for a restaurant. |
| C．By volunteering in a charity. |
| A．Floods. |
| B．Lightning. |
| C．Earthquakes. |
The term “Special Forces-style Tourism”
When it comes to
According to a travel report
Opinions on this new hit
10 . Recently, the “city walk” has been gaining steam among residents and tourists around China. On social platform Xiaohongshu, data shows that the number of city walk-related topic posts has increased by 700 percent over the past three months, and the total number of interactions has increased by more than 600 percent.
A city walk is a form of urban tourism originating in the UK. Unlike traditional sightseeing, which aims to hit famous attractions and commercial center, usually by vehicles with tense schedules, city walk is about “roaming” around a city on foot, soaking up the atmosphere and finding unusual things that even a resident of the city might not have noticed before. Such walks generally avoid famous scenic spots and shopping centers, and take you to places where you can have real interactions with the local people, eat at small but authentic restaurants, and gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the city.
City walkers are a cast of people who possess intense curiosity. They are eager to engage with the city they are visiting or reside in their own way. By “roaming” on foot, city walkers can better feel the texture and listen to the breath of a place. They seek pleasure more through connection than consumption, which indicates a deep cultural curiosity. For example, in Chongqing, if you don’t take a walk, you can hardly experience the unique geographical charm of the mountainous city. Be it the hutong in Beijing or the Chinese parasol tree district in Shanghai; city walks allow people to see the scenery apart from the scene and uncover hidden knowledge.
The appeal of a city walk lies in the young generation’s changing attitude toward life — pursuing quality leisure time while being occupied with demanding workloads and limited time for exploration. While roaming along the road, you can entirely focus on yourself and listen to your inner voice and care for what you feel, which is a way to love yourself and benefit your mental health. Just like Oscar Wilde once said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
1. What do the underlined words “gaining steam” in paragraph one probably mean?| A．Raising concerns. | B．Getting outdated. | C．Causing trouble. | D．Receiving popularity. |
| A．It pursues economical tourism. |
| B．It is usually well-organized and scheduled. |
| C．It helps promote the authentic food of the destination. |
| D．It focuses on feeling the local culture by connecting the city. |
| A．They are keen to buy souvenirs. |
| B．They tend to walk as much as possible. |
| C．They have strong curiosity about the local culture. |
| D．They prefer the city landscape to the natural scenery. |
| A．Why city walk changes people’s lifestyle. |
| B．Why the young fall in love with a city walk. |
| C．How popular the city walk is among citizens. |
| D．What young people usually do during a city walk. |
