Dunhuang, an oasis (绿洲) in the Taklamakan Desert, used to be a major stop along the Silk Road, but is now mainly a fascinating tourist destination.

Those interested     1     Dunhuang’s colorful history will be attracted by the Mogao Caves, one of the city’s main attractions. The entrance to each cave     2     (block) by a locked door, which can only be opened by expert guides. Behind these doors are caves of all     3     (size) — from very small to absolutely huge. The caves contain thousands of priceless manuscripts and silk paintings, which, upon their discovery, drew much     4     (attend) to the area.

Also, there are few things as special as walking across the desert oasis at sunrise.     5     (catch) this incredible scene, you must rise early. It’s bitterly cold. But as the sun rises atop the golden dunes (沙丘) and paints a     6     (true) picturesque scene, all your efforts pay off. Sunset is a popular time for a camel ride. Get off the camels     7     walk up a rather steep dune overlooking Crescent Lake. From this position,     8     (regard) as the best one, the incredible sunset is awe-inspiring.

No trip to Dunhuang is complete without visiting the Dunhuang Museum,     9     it’s possible to put all of the city’s historical sites into proper historical context. The museum is expansive,     10     (contain) many original artworks. Here, you are bound to be amazed by Dunhuang’s rich culture.

8 . Do you have any travel plans for 2024? Tour agencies like Contiki in New Zealand and Booking, one of the largest online travel agencies, have provided their predictions for travel trends in 2024.

Embracing the unknown

While many people like to make a perfect plan for their trips, more travelers are interested in booking trips where the destination remains a mystery until later, according to a global study of Booking involving 27,000 travelers across 33 countries and regions. By doing it this way, they seek a chance to escape from their everyday lives and explore places that few people have been to. A majority want to go on trips without any set plans, enjoying the spontaneity (自发性). Surprisingly, 34 percent are even open to traveling with strangers.

AI travel

With the rise of AI, especially with services like ChatGPT becoming accessible to people, there’s been a growing interest in AI-assisted travel. According to Contiki, both tour companies and travelers are increasingly turning to AI. For companies, AI serves as an efficient tool to plan trips based on clients’ preferences, such as the duration of their vacation, preferred hotel types and budget. Similarly, travelers are showing a willingness to let AI select their next holiday destination, particularly if it comes with discounts on travel and hotels.

Mouth feast

Regarding food exploration, most travelers prefer experimenting with new and fresh flavors rather than sticking with familiar dishes, according to Booking’s study. They also love to discover the origins of well-known local specialties. Additionally, technology is transforming our dining experiences. A significant number of people are drawn to eating experiences that combine the physical and digital realms, using technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). There’s also a growing curiosity in creative plant-based alternatives, such as 3D-printed vegan steaks.

Sustainable (可持续的) trip

The travel industry is ready for a sustainable revolution. According to Contiki, a substantial majority of travelers now actively look for accommodations that offer both comfort and innovative sustainability features. There’s a growing desire for natural peace even indoors, with many seeking green spaces and plants in their lodging. Adam Armstrong, CEO of Contiki, noted, “People are traveling closer to home to reduce their carbon footprint. They are using alternative transportation such as coach rides and train trips, and traveling off-season to avoid large and potentially destructive crowds. ”

10 . It was July 2019 and Mum had taken me on a 120-km mother-and-son walking holiday as a treat for my birthday. Although I was still on my first special ________, I’d love to see some ancient civilisation.

“Why don’t we go to Egypt?” I said. “It sounds ________, but I’m not paying for it,” Mum smiled and replied.

“I’ll save up my pocket money, and get a ________,” I said. I started saving my $10-a-week pocket money and washed my parents’ car for ________ cash.

In 2020, we moved to Perth. One day, I ________ a brochure in the letter box which was advertising a job delivering catalogues (目录). I applied for the job, and ________ I got it a week later.

On a Monday, a mountain of catalogues were ________ at our house. It took me nine hours to sort through them, and then I ________ them to 430 houses. At first, I used my bike and ________ the catalogues in my backpack, but this wasn’t very ________ so I bought a trolley (手推车) which improved my speed. As time went by, people started ________ me and saying hello on my rounds.

After three and half years, I’d ________ a massive $6,500, and in January this year I flew to Egypt. I had a good time visiting the powerful pyramids at Giza, ________ local food and sailing down a river. I fully ________ that nothing can stop a person from following his ________.