Following the barbecue-induced travel craze to the city of Zibo in East China, Chinese social media has once again highlighted the next internet-famous city worthy of     1     (explore).

This time it’s Tianshui, a low-key city in China’s Gansu province that     2     (take) the spotlight recently. It has attracted considerable attention     3     food enthusiasts and social media influencers online,     4     (celebrate) the city’s iconic dish of hot pot.

Known as Tianshui Malatang, which     5     (literal) means spicy and hot, the local dish is popular for its large portion of skewered meat, vegetables,     6     hand-made potato noodles in a pot of boiling broth (肉汤).

Two food bloggers, with over 3 million followers in their account on the popular Chinese Weibo,     7     (be) among the influencers praising the deliciousness of Tianshui Malatang. Their vlogs show eager food enthusiasts lining up on the streets, many of     8     traveled from cities far away.

Dong Liangyan, 29, from Daqing in Heilongjiang province,     9     (locate) more than 2,000 km away from Tianshui, told Xinhua that she was absolutely delighted     10     (enjoy) the local delicacy.

2 . Popular destinations boosted by films, TV dramas

Over the past year, several films and TV dramas have put their shooting locations into the public spotlight.

With the premiere of the TV drama Meet Yourself earlier last year, the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Southwest China’s Yunnan province emerged as a highly sought-after tourism destination.

The drama was filmed in Dali, showcasing main locations such as Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town, Fengyangyi village, Shaxi Ancient Town and Xizhou Town. The idyllic scenery and relaxing pace of life depicted in the drama proved to be a soothing balm for many, leading to a tourism boom in Dali during the Spring Festival holidays.

Thanks to the success of the hit show The Knockout, Jiangmen in Guangdong province soared as a prominent tourism destination last year, where the drama was filmed.

As a prominent hometown for many overseas Chinese, the city boasts historical cultural street scenes, exotic South Asian-style architecture, and a díverse array of flavorful snacks, attracting a throng of tourists and TV fans.

Full River Red, the highest-grossing blockbuster during last year’s Spring Festival, has set the TaiyuanAncient County in Shanxi on fire with excitement. The film was directed by iconic director Zhang Yimou and draws inspiration from a famous poem by the patriotic general Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Filmed within a residential compound made up of five enclosed courtyards in an ancient town relic site in Jinyuan district, Taiyuan city, Shanxi province, the movie captures the essence of the country’s intricate, winding alleyways and distinctive ancient courtyards, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Shanghai has once again captured the public’s attention with the recent popularity of the TVseries Blossoms Shanghai. Key filming locations such as Huanghe Road, Peace Hotel, and Tai Sheng Yuan restaurant have emerged as highly sought-after tourist destinations. Dishes featured in the show, such as Spare Ribs with Rice Cakes and Stir-fried Rice Noodles with Beef, have become culinary favorites among tourists exploring Shanghai.

The iconic No. 27 on the Bund, where Miss Wang worked in the TV series, has transformed into JiushiArt Museum, while the Pujiang Hotel has found new life as the location of the China Securities Museum.

5 . Would you take a trip if you couldn’t use your cellphone? A new tour company called Off the Grid is asking travellers to put their cellphones away and not even use them for photos. The company founder, Zach Beattie, is developing his business, using money he saved from a tech job at a mapping company. He’s hired guides for every trip but will help lead the first few himself.

The first trip is to Lisbon, Portugal, in July. It takes 7 to 10 days, with small groups of up to 16 people. Prices range from $1,500 to $1,650, including accommodations, meals and ground transportation. The plan includes at least three excursions (远足) and two social events, with an emphasis on unique experiences over bucket-list sightseeing. The tour also includes surfing lessons, yoga on the beach, a day of sailing and dinner with a local family.

“When you’re somewhere new, there’s a lot to see and a lot of cool and interesting people to meet,” Beattie said. “Your phone can distract (使分心) you.” The phone ban won’t be enforced quite as strictly as it seems at first glance. “We want it to be voluntary,” he said. “We’re not collecting phones and throwing them in a locked trunk. It’s held by you, but put in your pocket, and you state your intentions for the week, whether that’s checking your social media once or twice a day or a total blackout.”

Tour-goers also get a “dumbphone” without Internet access that’s loaded with numbers for group leaders and other participants, both for emergencies and to promote socializing. Participants may bring regular cameras, but Beattie is hiring a photographer for each tour so there will be plenty of photos to remember the trip. Once the trip is over, participants will have access to those photos for use in social media posts.

Jiangsu, known for its unique blend of innovation and preservation, is a true treasure. I was     1     (incredible) fortunate to journey through the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, both of which left me fascinated with their true impressiveness and eagerly     2     (long) to explore further.

My first stop was Suzhou.     3     (engage) myself in the local industrial atmosphere, I chose a hotel in the “industrial park”,     4     the coexistence of advanced manufacturing and natural beauty was most evident, as it was situated on the edge of a scenic lake, embraced by a vibrant landscape. As I adventured into the heart of the city, the Old Town’s ancient waterways led me on an     5     (explore) of history, and the classical gardens offered a glimpse into a     6     (story) past. However, what truly amazed me was the “energy of Suzhou” represented by its people who have enormous respect for their city’s time-honored history as well as     7     innovative eye on the future.

Actually, the mindset of modernization with deep respect for the past isn’t only unique to Suzhou     8     an indicative factor of Nanjing. High-rises decorate the city’s skyline, creating a distinct contrast     9     the ancient neighborhoods, temples, and buildings that     10     (occupy) previously by people. I never anticipated my expectations would be blown out of the water by “A tale of two cities”.

8 . 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.

9 . Spain is a country that continues to surprise and let us tell you it’s not all sunbathing and shopping! We’re outlining our top 3 reasons to discover Spain along with our holiday suggestions to help you make up your mind.

From the dramatic, imposing mountains to the countless glistening beaches that dot its coastlines, Spain is a country full of natural beauty and inspiring landscapes. If breath-taking views and unique scenery captures your attention then our top suggestion is to experience a holiday to Tenerife where you can enjoy the inspiring its volcanic views and panoramic scenery. The largest of the Canary Islands, just south of Spain, Tenerife has a rugged, volcanic landscape as well as over 200 miles of coastline boasting a huge variety of flora and fauna.

Did you know that Spain has over 5,000 miles of coastline and thousands of beaches? Wherever you go, you are never far from a beach. From undiscovered, hidden alcoves to popular tourist resorts, there’s a beach for everyone and with over 300 days of sunshine each year you’re guaranteed the weather to enjoy them! This beautiful country also has the most blue flag beaches in the world so now you’ve no excuse! With thousands of beaches to choose from, where will you go?

For many people, one of the highlights of Spain is, of course, the amazing food on offer. The country’s vibrant cities offer up Michelin-starred restaurants and lively tapas bars, while small-town cafés and restaurants offer up traditional dishes such as paella, seafood stew, and chorizo, made with love from family recipes.

Spanish cuisine is known for being delicious, healthy, and full of flavour, so there are many unique dishes available that will tempt your taste buds. If we’ve made you hungry, then you should take a holiday to Costa Brava, a Spanish foodie destination that should not be missed!

10 . Have you heard of these four monuments?

Carhenge. Floralis Genérica. Traffic Light Tree. Hand of the Desert — these are four unusual monuments from around the world you might like to visit.

Carhenge is in Alliance, Nebraska (USA). As the name suggests, it has a lot in common with Stonehenge, the famous stone circle on Salisbury Plain. But while Stonehenge was built with stones, Carhenge was created with cars. The monument was made in 1987 by a local artist Jim Reinders and his family. He used old cars and even an ambulance. At first, the people of Alliance didn’t like it, but they soon changed their minds after it became popular with tourists, who brought lots of money to the town.

Floralis Genérica is a massive statue of a flower. It stands in a pool of water in front of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eduardo Catalano, a native of Argentina, gave the statue as a gift to the city in 2002. Every morning, the flower opens. Ask anyone who has seen it and they’ll tell you that watching it open is an unforgettable sight. In fact, many people believe it is one of the most beautiful statues in the world.

The Traffic Light Tree is situated at Heron Quay, in one of London’s financial districts. The tree has 75 sets of traffic lights. It was created by French artist, Pierre Vivant, and was installed in 1998. A computer controls the lights, which are turned on and off randomly. The roundabout where the tree is was voted the most popular roundabout in the UK in a recent survey.

The Hand of the Desert is in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The sculpture was designed by the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrazabal. From a distance, it looks as if there’s a giant in the sand who has stuck his hand out of the ground.

If you’re looking for something new to see, you know where to go!