2 . When it comes to my fathering lessons, few adventures compare to the motorcycle trips I’ve shared with my daughter, Ewa.

Our first_______, in August 2017, was a winding (蜿蜒的) ride around the Catskills and Finger Lake districts of New York state. We _______ big highways and spent the week on_______ scenic back roads. At one point, I found myself _______along a Catskills meadow (草地) not far from Woodstock, keeping pace with a deer and shouting, “Go Bambi, go!”

On our second day, we _______ in a small town for ice cream. I asked the woman at the picnic table next to us: “What’s the_______ of this town?” “Interlaken,” she answered.“Where are you trying to get to?”

Me: “We don’t know. ”

It _______ to me then that I’d always wanted to do this no-schedule kind of trip, when you ride just for riding. Ask any middle-aged _______: We’ve all dreamed about doing the Easy Rider (逍遥骑士) thing, throwing our wristwatches into the ditch and heading toward the horizon without a_______. Now, travelling with no plan became a________ of my rides with Ewa.

Since we almost ________ knew where we were going, we were almost never ________ when we arrived, pulling ________ the road at the end of each day with satisfaction. The reason to celebrate? We________! The truth is that life on a motorbike is one close call (死里逃生) after another. On the way, riders must stay ________ 100 percent of the time. A tiny stone can be deadly. I used to be nervous, but Ewa had a different take: “To me, motorcycling is like meditation(冥想). ”

3 . The Season for Festive Eyes

The holiday season is upon us and the folks at Strip & Browhaus can’t wait! With all the parties coming up, they finally have a chance to get dressed up and celebrate again, to make a big New Year make-up statement: sparkles and vibrant colors to ring in the festivities! For SmartShanghai users, they are giving 50% OFF for first-timers only, starting from 150rmb. Your choice of treatment may be redeemed any time before March 31, 2023.

Date: Jan 24, 2022 to Feb 28, 2023

Venue: Strip & Browhaus

Click “Full Listing” to see 4 locations

Meet Van Gogh — Immersive Light Art Exhibition

The 600 m² immersive art exhibition about one of the greatest geniuses in the history of human art is finally in China for the first time, with Shanghai being the first stop. Immerse in the picture of color, music and light and shadow. Explore Van Gogh’s passionate, romantic and poetic inner world.

Date: Apr 2, 2023 to Jul 9, 2023

Venue: Meet You Museum

210 Wenshui Lu, near Wanrong Lu

TAO Dance Theater: 13 & 14

The TAO Dance Theater, awarded the 2023 Silver Lion Award at Venice Biennale, will present two new shows: 13 & 14-choreographic works which carry on the sequence of the Numerical Series which launched them on the international scene. A unique and evolutionary dance genre has enraptured people with its mesmeric and minimalist force. It will premiere at Shanghai Culture Square on July 4th.

Date: Jul 4, 2023 to Jul 5, 2023

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

225 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu Taxi Printout

Jinmao Tower Sky Walk

You can walk around the outside of the Jinmao Tower 340m above the streets below. Located on the 88th floor of one of Lujiazui’s most iconic buildings, the Jinmao skywalk is a platform 1. 2 meters wide, which you can strap in and walk along with the help of trained professionals. It’s also the highest sky walk in the world. And not only does Jinmao provide a panoramic view of Shanghai featuring both sides of the Huangpu River, floors 56-88 also hold the world’s highest atrium at 152m. You must weigh between 30kg-100kg, and be at least 1. 4m-2m tall to do the sky walk.

Date: Jul 1, 2021 to Dec 31, 2023

Venue: Jinmao Tower Observation Deck and Sky Walk

88/F, 88 Shiji Dadao, near Dongtai Lu

The Baili Azalea (杜鹃）Nature Reserve in Bijie city, Southwest China’s Guizhou Province,    1    (name) after its 125.8 square kilometers of old-growth azaleas and is     2     national 5A-level scenic spot. The scenic spot not only boasts a sea of azaleas, but     3    (be) also home to towering old trees, mountains, rivers, and rare animals and plants. The azaleas are in full bloom from late March     4     early May.

Due to its long history and unique     5    (locate), the Baili Azalea Nature Reserve also preserves the culture of the Yi and Miao ethnic groups. Visitors can enjoy a view of azaleas all over the mountains and participate in     6    (tradition) local festivals.

The ticket price is 130 yuan per person during peak season after March 20. Visitors can book tickets online and scan their ID cards to enter. Visitors can travel to the Baili Azalea Nature Reserve by train, plane, bus or car. The scenic spot also provides tour bus services     7     run between 7:30 am and 8:30 pm. Each passenger     8    (buy) bus tickets must show their ID, which they can do an unlimited number of     9    (time) on the day they purchased their ticket.

Visitors from overseas and outside the province should follow Guizhou’s COVID-19 prevention and control requirements (要求) before     10    (enter) the scenic spot.

8 . As a long-time resident(居民) of Beijing, I had always wanted to travel around and see more of China. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, I never found the right opportunity to go traveling. But, in May 2021, I finally found my big chance.

During the week-long Labor Day holiday, there happened to be few restrictions(限制) on travel, so I took this as my chance to go to Shanghai. What made this trip special was that not only was it my first time traveling by train, but also high-speed train. Many Americans are unused to taking public transportation, instead mainly using cars to get around.

For me, riding to Shanghai by train was especially nice since I could get a good look through the windows at the different kinds of beautiful scenery and towns as they rushed past me. In particular, I have always been a fan of the uniquely-shaped mountains of China, enjoying their beautiful curves(曲线) and slopes as they match the peaceful horizon. Another benefit of riding on trains was the spacious legroom which allowed me to relax more easily during my trip.

After arriving in Shanghai, I could not help but wonder why the US could not build a similarly useful and convenient railway system. Considering how cities are so spread out in the US, it is easy to see how the US would benefit from this kind of public investment(投资). This could lead to less reliance(依赖) on car ownership and have a positive impact on both the economy and environment.

10 . Four of London’s Best Theatres

London is considered the best place in the world for its theatre. There’s nothing we like better than dressing up for a great evening out at the West End.

National Theatre

Officially opened in 1963,he National Theatre is the largest public theatre in London. It shows 25 big productions a year, with many smaller performances(演出)and festivals.The Olivier

Theatre -its main stage-is a beautiful hall modelled on the ancient Greek theatre of Epidaurus.

Box office: 020 3989 5455

Adelphi Theatre

The Adelphi Theatre opened its doors in December 1930 and is one of London’s famous West End theatres. Located in the centre of the Strand, it’s a specialist( 专家)in musical theatre showing performances such as Kinky Boots,Chicago, Sweeney Todd and Evita.

Box office: 020 7087 7966

The Old Vic

This theatre in Waterloo is one of London’s most successful. For over 200 years, it has been known as a centrepiece of the London theatre for local people, receiving many personnel(职员) that went on to form the National Theatre. The theatre went through a complete refurbishment(翻新)in 2003.

Box office: 0844 871 7628

Savoy Theatre

The Savoy dates back to 1881 as a theatre for the production of a number of Gilbert and Sullivan shows. Recent productions include classics such as The Joy of Text and Pretty Woman.

Box office: 0844 871 7687