1 . As summer approaches, many kids and teenagers may find that they have more time on their hands. One great way to make use of the extra time is to go on an adventure (冒险) and travel. Clearly, I am not a naturally adventurous person, but I have found that taking the risk and challenging myself to explore and travel to unfamiliar places can be a very rewarding experience.

Because I am usually quite busy during the school year, most of my travels take place during the summer. Over the past few summers, I have hiked (徒步旅行) in the Grand Canyon, explored Niagara Falls, and camped out in upstate New York. Although these experiences are varied, they are similar in that they instill (灌输) a sense of appreciation for nature and a more balanced view on life. When I hiked in the Grand Canyon, for example, I was in awe (敬畏) of the geological influences that shaped the canyon.

Adventures, of course, are not limited to hiking. There are many other choices, such as camping, volunteering in a foreign environment, and traveling to different countries. In my opinion, adventures are more enjoyable with families or a few friends. There is a sense of bonding that one only gets through spending time together in outdoor adventures. For example, when I was in Boy Scouts, I often went on weekend camping trips with my friends. When I came back from a Boy Scouts camping trip, I often was eager to go outside more and explore the parks and nature around me.

Next fall, I will attend college. In the meantime though, I hope to make the most of my summer to explore and travel. Now, I am planning on hiking and camping out in Maine. When I visited Maine last fall, I was amazed by how beautiful it was and the tall trees and coasts that exist, and I really hope to enjoy the beauty of nature there this summer.

3 . Despite being one of the most famous and most-visited attractions in the United States, Grand Canyon National Park still holds some surprises. Here are a few facts about the Grand Canyon you probably don’t know.

We don’t really know how old it is

It has long been believed that the Colorado River began carving the Grand Canyon about 6 million years ago, but a study contained a real shocker, suggesting that the process may have begun as far back as 70 million years. In all likelihood, the Grand Canyon as we know it today started out as a series of smaller canyons 70 million years ago, but the majority of the canyon did not begin to take shape until much more recently.

The Grand Canyon creates its own weather

Of all Grand Canyon facts, this one is pretty cool — no pun (双关语) intended. Sudden changes in elevation (海拔) have great effects on temperature and rainfall, so the weather you’re experiencing could change largely depending on where you are in the Grand Canyon. The coldest, wettest weather station in the area is the Bright Angel Ranger Station on the North Rim, while the hottest (and one of the driest) is just 8 miles away at Phantom Ranch.

There are lots of fossils in the area

While the dinosaurs might have missed out on seeing the Grand Canyon, lots of other fossils have been found that suggest other creatures often visited the area. They range from ancient marine fossils dating back 1.2 billion years to fairly recent land mammals that left their remains in canyon caves about 10,000 years ago.

Fish are relatively uncommon in the area

Prior to modern flood control measures, the Colorado River provided a uniquely difficult habitat for fish, with heavy silt, frequent floods, and temperatures ranging from extreme heat in summer to sub-freezing in winter. As a result, only eight fish species are native to the Grand Canyon, six of which are found nowhere outside of the Colorado River.

Are you impressed by the mountain s in Avatar? The real ones are in Zhangjiajie. It is not suited to     1     (everyone) taste, just as not everyone enjoys watching the movie Avatar. But for those     2     love nature, wish to seek adventure, and want to escape from the daily life, Zhangjiajie is     3     must.

Zhangjiajie National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, one that     4     (see) tourism boom during the past years, promoting economic     5     (grow), providing jobs and development opportunities for the locals. The mountains, rock caves and karst (喀斯特) formations have led people to call it a “fairyland”.

The park has thick forests, deep canyons, unusual peaks, caves, and pillar-like rock formations blanketed throughout the park. These pillar-like rock formations are what the park     6     (be) known for around the world, because they are not typical limestone eroded pillars.

One of the fastest and most effortless     7     (way) to experience the area is by riding up the world’s     8     (tall) outdoor elevator. The 326-meter-tall glass Bailong Elevator     9     (build) onto the side of a cliff in the national park years ago. It offers amazing views of the karst formations.

Many     10     (endanger) species of animals and plants can be found there, which made the Chinese government begin conservation efforts to preserve the landscape of Zhangjiajie National Park.

8 . Perhaps my favorite place during my trip to Guangxi was the Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng. I’ve seen rice terraces elsewhere in Asia, but nothing compared with the beauty of the Longji Rice Terraces. To go to Guangxi and skip (略过) these rice terraces would be a loss.

These over 600-year-old terraces are still very much in use and feed the local Yao and Zhuang communities; you can find many guesthouses throughout the various rice terraces, and while accommodations (住宿) are very basic, I would strongly suggest spending a night in the peaceful terraces, surrounded by nothing but rice.

My friends and I had arrived in Guangxi on harvest (收获) day and we were told by our local guide it was too late to see Longji in its autumnal beauty. But we were super lucky because the 2017 harvest had been delayed (推迟), and when we arrived in Longsheng a couple of days later, it was the last day before the harvest began. It’s quite risky to time your visit this way, but it is amazing to see the Longji Rice Terraces both before harvest and after, when it takes on a completely new character.

The two main terraced areas are the Ping’an Terraced Fields and the Jinkeng Terraced Fields. The former is home to the local Zhuang People and has more visitors as it’s easier to reach. Jinkeng, on the other hand, is less visited. The Red Yao people live here, and should you need a hand with your suitcase, their women are happy to help you. We chose Jinkeng because it’s home to the highest point of the Longji Rice Terraces. The viewpoint (视角) is nearly 4,000 feet high. We had to go up there as our hotel was up there, but you should anyway as it’s the most wonderful viewpoint.

The Longji Rice Terraces are supposed to be beautiful in the spring and summer as well, though I much prefer its autumnal beauty. Winter, I’d skip, as it was already cold enough at night in October, but I’d return and visit again in the spring or summer.

I’m happy to receive your email telling me you’re traveling in China this August. Of the two trips to Xinjiang and Lijiang,

Yours,

Li Hua