Nanjing is a city that has played an important role in Chinese history for thousands of years. Nanjing     1     (name) the capital city first in 229 AD during the Three Kingdoms period. It has been a capital city many times. It’s a place that is relatively unknown     2     foreigners yet very popular with local tourists.

When Dave and I got the chance     3     (travel) to it, we jumped at it. We hadn’t known anything about Nanjing before going, but hearing that it was a popular destination from Shanghai, we were excited to explore it. It turns out that Nanjing is one of our favourite     4     (place) to visit in China.

We first went to Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park. A trolley (电车) took us to the top of the mountain     5     we could view the immaculate(圣洁的) Buddhist Palace that was built into the side of the mountain.     6     (open) in 2015, it is an example that proves the traditional and the modern can co-exist.

But soon we     7     (realize) that a real treat was inside the palace when we took the escalator (自动扶梯) 6 stories underground to see the Thousand-Buddha Hall. With a height of 28 metres, the golden hall is     8     (impress).

We highly recommend     9     (take) a full day to explore the Niushoushan Cultural Park to visit all the sites on the mountains. And do remember visiting the Usnisa Palace is     10    must.

6 . In about a week I will start one of my most expected adventures ever. Sarek National Park will be a mission. It is not a place for the unprepared. It is a place for adventurous hearts who are looking for solitude (独处), wildness and a connection with nature that is hard to find on our planet these days. High up in the north of Sweden at the border with Norway, it is called the last European Wilderness.

The preparation for this trip started a few months ago. I tried to prepare in the best way possible as this is uncharted territory for me. It will be the first hike really off the beaten path. I will not go into details until I get back and actually know what I am talking about.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you plan to hike in Sarek National Park. First of all, there are no huts or any accommodation. If you are at the heart of Sarek you will be at least a 4-5 days hike away from the next mountain hut. So this means I will have to carry everything I need for 8-10 days. The biggest part of the load will be food. There are no paths or waymarks. I will have to make my own route with GPS and maps.

In addition, the weather can be very challenging. Sarek is the area in Sweden with the heaviest rainfall. It is also known for strong wind and there’re not many places to shelter from it because there are hardly any tees. It is important to bring professional hiking gear (装备). Finding and choosing a good campsite might take some time as well.

Located in the northeast of Zhaoping County, around 200 km away from Guilin, Huangyao Ancient Town boasts a rich history     1     (span) almost 1,000 years. Renowned as one of Guangxi’s most-visited tourist spots, this charming town showcases the region’s characteristic karst landscapes and abundant water resources, offering numerous expansive caves for     2     (explore).

Huangyao Ancient Town, with its thousand-year-old legacy, features majestic mountains     3     (dot) with caves, unique folk houses, delicate pavilions and temples, ancient trees, and stone pathways. Siting amidst steep mountains, the town’s strategic location not only makes it easy     4     (hold) but also poses challenges for potential attackers. As a result, Huangyao has been isolated from the outside world, allowing for the preservation of valuable relics, some of     5     include writings and paintings by distinguished Chinese scholars like Han Yu,       6     poet from the Tang Dynasty, and Liu Zongbiao, a man of letters of Qing Dynasty. Thanks to its isolation, many buildings in Huangyao still remain     7     (changed) in their architectural styles from the Ming and Qing eras. Traditional festivals and customs     8     (observe) for centuries, adding an authentic cultural touch to the town.

A visit     9     Huangyao would be incomplete without sampling its signature local delicacy, Huangyao tofu. This treat coupled with fermented (发酵的) black soybeans, exclusively crafted within the town,     10     (offer) a unique flavor that can’t be missed.

9 . Welcome to the North Carolina Zoo

We are excited to welcome you to the zoo. The North Carolina Zoo serves and welcomes everyone. Tickets can be bought in advance online or at the gate on the day of your visit.

Hours

The zoo is open all year round, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

April -October 9 a. m. to 5 p. m.

November -March 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.

The last entry (进入) is one hour before closing.

Prices

Adults (ages 13 -61): $15                           Seniors (ages 62+): $13

Children (ages 2-12): $11                           Under 2: Free

Meet the Keeper

Take your zoo day to the next level and plan to attend a “Meet the Keeper” meeting where you can see a range of activities, such as animal feeding and training sessions.

Notes

We do not allow picnic-style meals inside the zoo, and bringing branded outside foods (McDonald’s for example) into the zoo is also prohibited (禁止). Guests are welcome to enjoy these foods at one of our picnic areas before entering the zoo. If you exit (出去) to picnic during your visit, please check in with our staff to get a mark on your hand.

Address

4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205

Qingdao is a beautiful city, which is famous for the sea, and you can spend a happy time by     1     (lose) yourself in this wonderful city. Lying across the Shandong Peninsula while looking out to the Yellow Sea, Qingdao today     2     (consider) as a major seaport, naval base,and industrial center.

Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most     3     (attract) places in the city. From skyscrapers to parks and    4     (bench), you will have a great time. Qingdao has the second     5    (large) brewery (啤酒厂) in China. You will have a chance     6     (explore) the city of fascinating facts and legends,     7    (especial) great buildings full of much history. Some of them are Guest House, Pichaiyuan， Signal Hill, Qingdao Railway Station and Badaguan Scenie Area. You will be surprised at stories behind the streets, buildings, and corners. Your guide will tell you     8     is special and unique about living in this city. It is perfect for those     9     are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most     10     it!