1 . Yunnan offers exciting experiences of unique customs. If you are already planning to visit Yunnan, see our festival tours.
The Torch (火把) Festival
Date: July /August (days 24 to 26 of the sixth lunar month)
Location: Lijiang
It is a traditional festival among the Yi, Naxi, and Bai minority (少数民族) groups. According to the ancient rule of the Naxi people, the Torch Festival should last three days, and every family should light a big torch in front of their doors for the three days.
Recommended Tour: 3-Day Ancient Lijiang Tour
The Water Splashing (泼酒) Festival
Date: April 13 to 15
Location: Xishuangbanna
It is the most important festival observed by the Dai people of Xishuangbanna in southen Yunnan. It involves splashing water, lantern floating and other joyful activities.
Recommended tour: 6-Day Xishaungbanna Tour
The Horse Race Festival
Date: May/June (5th of the fifth lunar month)
Location: Shangri-la
Falling on the same date as the Dragon Boat Festival, it is the biggest gathering of Tibetans in Yunnan and usually lasts about 3 days. During the celebrations, traditional performances and competitions like horse racing and wrestling (摔跤) will beheld.
Recommended tour: 8-Day Yunnan Tour of the Nu River and Tengchong
The Third Month Fair of the Bai Group
Date: April /May(days 15 to 21 of the third lunar month)
Location: Dali
It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Bai people in Dali in western Yunnan. During the March Fair, the streets of Dali Ancient Town are packed with people selling amazing minority items.
Recommended tour: 6-Day Yunnan Minorities Tour
1. What do the Torch Festival and the Water Splashing Festival have in common?| A．The date. | B．The location. |
| C．The lasting time | D．The celebratory events. |
| A．The Torch Festival. | B．The Water Splashing Festival. |
| C．The Horse Race Festival. | D．The Third Month Fair of the Bai Group. |
| A．A business research. | B．A newspaper report. |
| C．An educational magazine. | D．An advertising leaflet. |
2 . While attractions like the Shard and the London Eye offer excellent perspectives, they’re always busy and ticket prices are steep. But with a little insider knowledge, you can save your pounds and bag your skyline photos without the crowds through accessing the following viewpoints.
Parliament Hill
London is mostly flat, but if you know where to look there are a few hills that provide natural (and free) high points offering city views with a side order of fresh air.
One of the most central is Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath — at 98m, one of London’s highest natural viewpoints. From here, on a clear day, you can sit on the park bench that featured in movies like Run Fatboy Run and Notes on a Scandal.
Entry fee: free
The Garden Museum Tower
If you exit left out of Westminster station, battle your way over the bridge and then turn right, past the view of Big Ben and walk along the south side of the Thames, you’ll come to a medieval (中 世纪的) church.
While you might be interested in British garden design, it’s the 14th-Century tower that’s the main attraction for photographers. Climb the 131 steps of the narrow spiral staircase and you’ll emerge onto one of the finest riverside viewpoints in the city — with views across to the Palace of Westminster on the right.
Entry fee: Adult f16, or Tower only 4
The IFS Cloud Cable Car
If you want to soar over London in a glass pod, the obvious place to go is the London Eye. But a cheaper and crowd-free alternative is to ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
The views are impressive at any time, but the Cable Car stays open late, so you can even enjoy magnificent sunsets from the west — facing side or admire the twinkling city lights after dark.
Entry fee: E6 one-way
Seabird, Southwark
London has no shortage of rooftop venues (场所) offering knockout cityscape views, so it can be hard to pick just one or two. But for location, angles and a great experience, it doesn’t get much better than Seabird, on the 14th floor of the Hoxton hotel in Southwark with nothing to block views on three sides.
Entry fee: Buy a drink: draught beer costs ₤6.50 or small glass of wine is ₤9; a portion of olives costs ₤5.
1. Where can you go if you want to photograph the 14th-Century tower?| A．The London Eye. |
| B．The south side of the Thames. |
| C．The rooftop venues. |
| D．A place near St Paul’s Cathedral. |
| A．Parliament Hill. |
| B．The Garden Museum Tower. |
| C．The IFS Cloud Cable Car. |
| D．Seabird, Southwark. |
| A．They are free. |
| B．They are well-known. |
| C．They are not crowded. |
| D．They are not cheap. |
3 . Handmade Canberra Market
Event: 29 / 07 / 2022-31 / 07 / 2022
The Handmade Canberra market is an event which happens 4 times each year and it sells jewellery, clothes, pet treats, foods, stationery, toys, garden sculptures and more! The large market is located in the Budawang Pavilion, Conference Centre and Coorong Pavilion at the EPIC (Exhibition Park in Canberra). It generally attracts about 20, 000 visitors over two days.
It is an enjoyable way to spend the day as you walk through the stalls (摊位) enjoying the creativity of the talented (有才能的) people of Canberra and other parts of Australia. The event has free parking and entry (入场) only costs you a small donation (捐赠) to a local organization for helping the needy. If you get hungry after all the shopping, there are a number of delicious food choices in the Coorong Pavilion to choose from, as well as areas to sit and rest your feet.
When the market first began in 2008, the organizer, Julie Nichols, started with 34 stalls — this has now increased to over 290 stalls at each event. Julie Nichols has won several awards (奖) for business, design and tourism because of the success of the market. Handmade Canberra celebrated its 10th birthday in 2018 and it has been a popular event with locals and visitors every year.
With so many goods in one place, the Handmade Canberra market is a relaxing way to have a quiet shop by yourself or to walk around with friends and make a day of it. You are sure to go home with a piece not seen anywhere else.
1. How often does the market usually open up?| A．Once a month. | B．Twice a month. |
| C．Three times a year. | D．Four times a year. |
| A．Parking their cars. |
| B．Entering the market. |
| C．Learning to make objects. |
| D．Eating at the food tasting area. |
| A．To show the development of the market. |
| B．To explain the reason for opening the market. |
| C．To introduce how the market influences locals’ life. |
| D．To tell us how hard the success of the market comes. |
4 . Listen carefully. Don’t answer too quickly. At least, don’t say “yes” too soon. A friend might ask, “Want to take a hike?” You should say, “Where?” If he replies “The entire Appalachian Trail (阿巴拉契亚国家步道)”，take warning. Here’s why.
The trail is one of the longest marked footpaths in the world. It starts at Springer Mountain, Georgia. It winds (蜿蜒) along the top of the mountains. It goes through 14 states. It ends at Mount Katahdin, Maine. As the crow(乌鸦)flies, this is about 2,200 miles. But when walked, the trail is 2,600 miles. If you walk nonstop, it takes about six months to walk through the trail.
Most hikers begin from Springer Mountain. They start around April 1. This is why. The snow has probably melted (融化) in the south. But there may still be snow in the north. By the time they reach Maine, the snow will have been long gone. What’s the chance of making it nonstop? Here is the data. About 1,500 people try it each year. About 300 people make it. It is a great challenge.
Careful planning is necessary. There are problems to solve. The biggest one is the weight on one’s back. Too many hikers start out with too much. Wise ones don’t carry food. They send packages to post offices along the way. There are no campfires allowed. Some shelters are near the path. But the trail is crowded. It is hard to find space. A perfect tent is necessary. And it rains a lot. Great rain gear (用具) is needed. It should be light.
Benton MacKaye founded the trail. The first section of the trail was opened in 1923. It is cared for by volunteers in each state. Do you plan to go? Read lots of books by people who’ve done it.
1. What is the example of the crow in Paragraph 2 used to show?| A．The trail’s view. | B．The trail’s height. |
| C．The trail’s danger. | D．The trail’s distance. |
| A．Only about one fifth of the hikers succeed in hiking every year. |
| B．Most hikers spend a whole year hiking the trail. |
| C．It goes through 14 mountains in all. |
| D．It is about 2,200 miles long. |
| A．Carry enough water and food. | B．Wear heavy and warm clothing. |
| C．Bring enough maps and equipment. | D．Send packages along the way ahead of time. |
| A．Advice on hiking | B．Dangers of hiking |
| C．Go hiking on the Appalachian Trail | D．Introduction of great mountains |
5 . These national parks, classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protect and preserve some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.
Wadi Rum Protected Area, Jordan
Known as Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is located in the south of Jordan, a little more than 60 miles south of the ancient city of Petra. As a desert landscape, it’s been the location for many space films. It’s worth spending some time overnight here—traditional Bedouin camps around the desert.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
A large part of this national park is uninhabited (无人居住的) and only accessible by boat or hiking trail. It’s filled with snow-capped mountains, and visitors might see fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and possibly even penguins.
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
In the spring and summer months, it’s best to explore this part of Scotland’s eastern Highlands by foot but in wintertime, skis take over. It’s the largest park in the UK—twice as big as the Lake District National Park. With nine national nature reserves and three rivers, it doesn’t have a shortage of local wildlife. For the best places to bed down nearby, we suggest art-filled The Fife Arms and Killliehuntly Farmhouse and Cottages.
Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Home to Mount Everest—the highest mountain in the world at 29,032 ft—Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal is where many hikers kick-start their lifetime goal of climbing from Everest’s Base Camp. The park is also home to several rare animal species. It’s an adventurer’s paradise (天堂) for those looking for less of hiking.
1. In which park can you enjoy the desert landscape?| A．Wadi Rum Protected Area. | B．Fiordland National Park. |
| C．Cairngorms National Park. | D．Sagarmatha National Park. |
| A．They are located in the UK. | B．They attract space film lovers. |
| C．They are suitable to explore wildlife. | D．They cover an area as large as Nepal. |
| A．See penguins. | B．Camp on a boat. | C．Live in The Fife Arms. | D．Climb Mount Everest. |
6 . Here are four beach destinations for you to take a unique vacation in the sunshine.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Whether you’re dining at restaurants directly on the sand or listening to live music, the islands of Zanzibar are rich with culture. The Stone Town features narrow stone streets meant for bicycles. It’s a great place to buy produce and creative goods while taking in the Arabian architecture. You can sail into the sun on wooden boats, do yoga on the white sand or go diving.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is well known for its natural settings—mainly the beaches and the volcanic Monte Urtigu. With boat tours, hidden beaches and valley adventures featuring flowing waterfalls, water activities are everywhere. But the island has plenty of other experiences as well. Go wine tasting, learn to bake bread or take a historical tour of local archeologic sites.
Bodrum, Turkey
For a truly unique beach experience, visit Bodrum in Turkey. The ancient city is home to historic baths, hot springs, ancient ruins and underwater archeology museums. This area is also ideal for rafting trips, sea fishing and more. There is also a lot of wildlife living on the island and in its surrounding waters.
Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife is big on water sports and adventures, offering things like jet skiing, sailing and diving with dolphins. This area is home to various museums like the Museo Municipal and the local museum of natural history. Don’t forget to visit the local temples, ruins and gardens.
1. What makes Zanzibar special?| A．Its hot springs. | B．Its stone streets. | C．Its historical ruins. | D．Its open-air concerts. |
| A．Visit the volcano. | B．Explore underwater museums. |
| C．Enjoy the local wine. | D．Experience valley adventures. |
| A．Zanzibar. | B．Sardinia. | C．Bodrum. | D．Tenerife. |
