Chengde Mountain Resort

Chengde Mountain Resort lies in the north of Chengde City, Hebei Province in the north of China and covers an area of 5,640,000 square meters. First     1     (build) in the 42nd year during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the whole construction of Chengde Mountain Resort     2     (last) a total of about 90 years. The resort is mainly composed of Palace Zone and Garden Scenery Zone.

Located in the south part of the resort, Palace Zone comprises rows of buildings in a perfect layout,     3     look like those in the Forbidden City in Beijing.     4     buildings fall into four groups: Central Palace, Pine and Crane Studio, Valleys and Pines, and East Palace.

Garden Scenery Zone is divided into the lake area, the plain area and the mountain area.     5     (lie) in the west and north of the plain area, the mountain area has an area of 4,435,000 square meters, accounting for four     6     (five) of the total area of the resort. The towering peaks seem as if they are natural blockades preventing the bitter wind from entering the zone and that seems to be     7     the weather here is regulated.

Unlike other royal gardens, Chengde Mountain Resort is a perfect     8     (combine) of quintessence of both the south and north gardens that follow the natural terrain and suit measures to conditions of mountains and waters for construction. It is an outcome of inheriting (继承) and     9     (far) expanding the architectural philosophy of Chinese classical gardens. It is a milestone of pride in Chinese garden history and a masterwork of Chinese classical garden art, claimed     10     the largest existing royal garden in the world.

Statistics     1     (release) by the China Tourism Academy (CTA) in March show Chinese people made only 87 million trips abroad last year,     2     is a mere 56 percent of the 2019 level. However, the CTA said the number could reach 130 million in 2024.

Traveling abroad seems to have become     3     (difficult) than before for the Chinese people because of the     4     (rise) requirements by some embassies. Many embassies still require every visa     5     (apply) to make online appointments three months in advance. And even after following all the procedures and fulfilling all the requirements, one may still have to spend some     6     (sleep) nights waiting for the visa, and get it, if any, just a couple of days before departure.

According to authorities, only 4,782 international flights operated between China and other countries and regions a week last year,     7     (account) for only 62.8 percent of the pre-pandemic level, with less than one-third being operated by foreign airlines.

Another factor that may prevent Chinese tourists     8     going abroad is people’s changing attitude toward spending money. With both the domestic and global     9     (economy) yet to recover to their pre-pandemic peak levels, people have become cautious about lightening their wallets, with overseas tours being the first     10     (delete) from a family’s budget.

This makes it important for foreign countries to take measures to attract more tourists from China—the world’s biggest source of tourists.

6 . The Enchanting Scenery of Zhangjiajie

Located in China’s Hunan province, Zhangjiajie offers a unique and breathtaking landscape with nature’s unbound creativity. This region, famous for its rock formations and deep gorges (峡谷), is a popular destination for travelers to see the nature’s wonders.

Tianmen Mountain, the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie, stands tall at 1,518 meters. Its most famous Tianmen Cave, a natural arch which spans over 100 meters wide, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. There is also a challenging glass walkway, offering visitors a thrilling walk above the clouds.

This park is a shelter for nature lovers, with over 2,400 species of plants and animals. Its highlights include the “Avatar” Hallelujah Mountains, which were a filming location for the popular movie “Avatar”. The park’s hiking trails offer visitors the chance to explore its thick forests and breathtaking valleys.

Known for its traditional Tujia architecture, Huangshi Village offers a look into the rich cultural heritage of the local community. Visitors can enjoy the village’s peaceful atmosphere, admire the unique stone houses, and taste the delicious local cuisine.

This beautiful lake, surrounded by lush green hills, offers a peaceful escape. Boating on the lake, one can appreciate the reflections of the surrounding mountains, creating a picture-perfect scene.

The popularity of ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, such as Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, has aroused a nationwide trend in the construction of ancient towns. Lin Peng, the director of China’s Institute of Ancient Cities and Cultural Studies, pointed     1     that there are more than 2,800 developed or developing ancient towns in our country,     2     is definitely the highest number globally.

In ancient towns,     3     immersive (沉浸式) experience being mentioned here is historical and cultural characteristics — the “ancient” of ancient towns. Apart from visible “special buildings”, characteristics also include invisible “culture”. Tourists in ancient towns want to see the living     4     (condition) of local people, feel the vitality of town life, try characteristic local snacks     5     (influence) by geography and folk customs, and understand how long history     6     (shape) local culture. Out of modern fast-paced work and life, tourists want to awaken their inner softness with a slow-moving ancient town.

Touring ancient towns is for recreation, relaxation, and pleasure,     7     if all the ancient towns in different places are the same and cannot find their own     8     (unique), then ancient town tourism will     9     (eventual) decline. Let every ancient town become a unique historical imprint (印记), so that tourists can find their “poetry and distance” while     10     (wander) through the ancient towns. This is the soul that ancient towns need to regain.

8 . Discover Xiamen’s Four Must-Visit Attractions

Join us on a fascinating trip through Xiamen’s beauty and culture as we visit four famous places like Gulangyu Island and Nanputuo Temple, each showcasing the city’s rich history andscenic charm.

Gulangyu Island: A Romantic Escape

Discover the charming beauty of Gulangyu Island.The island is famous for its unique buildings and romantic atmosphere. Take a leisurely (悠闲的)walk along the narrow streets，feel the refreshing ocean breeze,and immerse yourself in the island’s rich culture.

Hulishan Fortress: Historic Sentinel by the Sea

Hulishan Fortress is a historic marvel in Xiamen. It offers a glimpse into the city’s military past. The fortress has impressive architecture (建筑风格)and a strategic location by the sea.This makes it an attractive site for visitors to explore. It has a rich history and cultural significance.Both locals and tourists cherish it for its unique charm and heritage.

Island Ring Road: Scenic Coastal Drive

Experience the coastal beauty of Xiamen on the Island Ring Road. Whether on foot,bicycle,or by car,enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and cityscape. Discover parks,sculptures,and beautiful gardens along this picturesque route.

Jimei School Village: Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Explore Jimei School Village and witness the integration of traditional Chinese and modern architectural styles.This combination of tradition and innovation provides a glimpse into the development of education and culture in this unique village setting.

Each destination promises a unique experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

9 . Travel inspires adventure, team spirit and growth in children, as I discovered when I took my daughter Mai with me around the world.

When she was four, we had a parent-child _________ through the Fraser River in Canada. I was a travel writer and my job covered from describing the scenery I traveled along to _________ the people I met. So while I was taking pictures, Maia, wanting to prove her _________ as an assistant, began interviewing a couple in the same ship. Unable to spell words, she _________ their answers in crayon. Then when we sat together at lunch, my daughter _________ the kids’ meal and requested the salmon (三文鱼). She explained that kids’ meals might not always be _________ during travel, so her food _________ was “try everything.” That trip proved Maia as such an easy travel _________ .

When she was six, we flew to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. I was impressed by how _________ fearless she was when we dived along a reef(礁石). And I was __________ by how she cleverly worked out that she could order chocolate cake from room __________ alone. But it was on the __________ home, when my glued-to-my-arm kid said it was okay that the airline didn’t __________ us together, that I realized how much travel was __________ her. It helped her become more __________ .

As Mai a grew older, travel continued to __________ her life. We explored the Amazon rainforest, where she learned the importance of __________ our planet. We visited famous __________ in China , where she developed a deep appreciation in its rich cultures and long history. And we __________ at an orphanage (孤儿院) in Africa, where she learned the meaning of love and care.

Travel has also helped Maia develop important life __________ such as independence, problem-solving, and communication. I am grateful for what travel has had on my daughter, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her.