2 . Traveling Tips

Federal and State Government Regulations do not allow you to smoke on board express coaches within Australia.

As a fare paying customer you are entitled to take 2 pieces of personal luggage. Each must not exceed 75 cm in length, or weigh more than 20kg.

Excess luggage will be carried at the company’s excess luggage rate and depending on space availability may be required to be carried on another coach.

1) Keep your valuables with you. Money, jewellery, valuable documents, credit cards, keys, medications should be retained by you and not on the coach at meal or transport stops.

2) Use sturdy, lockable luggage. Do not use plastic bags as these may split during the transit.

3) Make sure you identify your luggage with a name tag.

4) Backpacks—stow all items and do not leave mugs, shoes, towels hanging off your backpack as these can get caught in other luggage and cause damage.

The time shown on your ticket is the coach departure time. If you are boarding halfway and not at a travel centre or terminal you should be at the pick up point 15 minutes ahead of this time, so you can be comfortably on board by the time the coach is due to leave. If you are boarding at a travel centre or terminal, please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the published departure time and remember to allow extra time at peak travel times.

As a courtesy, and so as not to offend fellow travelers, a reasonable standard of clothing and footwear is required.

3 . Last summer, after finishing my work in China, I took the trip of a lifetime on the Trans-Siberian Railway (西伯利亚铁路). Leaving Beijing early on a Wednesday morning in July, my wife and I travelled through some awesome (令人惊叹的) countryside before we arrived in Moscow the following Monday.

The first part of the journey took us past the Great Wall and through the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. At the Mongolian Republic border, we had a delay(耽搁)while the wheels were changed because the railway is different.

On our way to the capital, Ulan Bator, we saw herdsmen (牧人) on horseback looking after their cattle. There was a great thunderstorm as we crossed a vast open plain. Later we had a quick tour of Ulan Bator.

Next, the train took us into Siberia. After a stop at Irkutsk, a popular holiday resort(度假胜地), where a tour group left the train, we passed the great Lake Baikal. Later, we saw some lovely wooden houses in pretty, sunny countryside. This surprised us, as we had imagined Siberia as being covered with thick snow.

Over the next few days, we passed through Novosibirsk, Omsk and other cities in the heartlands of the Russian Federation. By now, our body clocks were losing their sense of time.   We wanted to sleep and eat at the wrong time!

At last we reached Moscow. We were so tired that we slept for 16 hours that night. The next day we went sightseeing. We saw the Dremlin and some other magnificent (宏伟的) buildings in the Russian capital. Then, all too soon, it was time for us to return to our home in London.

Welcome. Let me introduce my hometown to you. I hope you will enjoy the beautiful countryside with me as your guide.

In first glance, my hometown is a very ordinary place, which is not different from any another town. There are two thousand people living here, but very little shops or restaurants, so people have to go to the mall in the city. Why does travelers come from all over the country to visit our town then? Some of the scenery in this area ranks among best in the country. It is a place where you can see many tall maple trees, that wide roads run alongside farms, and where a big river flows with countless ducks on it. With such many beautiful things to see, my hometown appeals to many professional photographers.

I think you will have a good time there.

7 . Scenery along the"sky road"

For centuries, Tibet has not been explored as much by the outside world due to its remote location, extreme climate and geographic environment. Dubbed the “sky road”, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway has become the most popular and convenient way to connect Tibet to the rest of China. This 1,956-kilometer-long world-renowned railway begins in Xining and ends in Lhasa. The stunning scenery along the railway offers not only a feast for the eyes, but also a journey for the soul.

Qinghai Lake: A paradise for birdwatchers and cyclists

Dazzling like a crystal-clear gem, Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake as well as saline lake in China. Be it the blue sky and water, the green grassland or mesmerizing landscapes---Qinghai Lake boasts great charms that are worth exploring.

Qinghai Lake is definitely a paradise for bird lovers as many different kinds of birds would fly here to breed in May and June due to the mild weather. Meanwhile, for cyclists, cycling around the lake not only allows them to enjoy the beauty of the lake view, but also while away the time.

Tips: The best time to visit the Qinghai Lake is from April to August as numerous Cole flowers blossom along the lake during that time, forming breathtaking scenery for visitors. In addition, May and June is the best season for bird lovers.

Kunlun Mountains: More than just mountains

As the train keeps moving up, a picturesque view of Kunlun Mountains appears before you.

Reputed as the holy mountains, Kunlun Mountains extend west from the Pamirs with a length of 2,500 kilometers. The 6,178-meter Yuzhu Peak is the highest of the Kunlun Mountains in Qinghai. The high peaks of the mountains are covered with snow and mist all year round, creating must-see view along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

It's worth mentioning that the Yuzhu Peak is the first sightseeing station for passengers, which allows them to get off the train and take photos outside. For climbing beginners, this peak is considered to be the ideal destination as its route requires less technique.

Hoh Xil Nature Reserve: Forbidden zone for humans

Hoh Xil, which means"green mountains"in Mongolian, is a plateau between the Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges, with an average altitude of 5,000 meters. Home to many wild animals, including the Tibetan antelope and the wild yak(牦牛), the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is undoubtedly a desolate region in the northwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China.

The extensive area of alpine mountains is situated more than 4,500 meters above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year round. The geographic and harsh climatic conditions have made this place become the"forbidden zone for humans". This is probably one of the few places left on Earth where one could get off the beaten track and find inner peace.

Tips: As there are no signs in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, visitors often get lost here. Remember to bring a local herdsman with you or rent car to travel.

Lhasa: The start of the journey to Tibet

The final destination of the Qinghai-Tibet train trip-Lhasa, offers almost every aspect of Tibetan culture. If one must pick a name card for Lhasa, then Potala Palace is very likely to be the answer for that. No one can really say that he/she has visited Lhasa unless they have been to Potala Palace. To start a journey in Lhasa, the Potala Palace is must-see destination for travelers from home and abroad.

9 . The United States has a vast network of National Parks spread all around the country. Here are some National Parks for you.

Arches National Park, Utah

More than 2,000 natural stone arches make Arches National Park a special place in Utah. Travelers from around the world come to see brilliant sunsets that light up the sky each night. Hikers and rock climbers will love the endless options for exploring, while more low-key visitors are sure to love the camping.

Acadia, Maine

Super close to Bar Harbor, one of Maine's most beloved tiny towns, Acadia National Park tops travel guides for the Vacation State. Before making your way to Mt. Desert island, dine on the country's most famous fish and lake advantage of the opportunity to go whale watching on the Atlantic Ocean. When visiting Acadia, set aside some time to hike and go boating.

Mount Rainier, Washington

We couldn't leave the park with you slowly moving ice off the list. Washington's Mount Rainier National Park, found southeast of Seattle, has 25 of them (along with the famous volcano) as its attention-catching sight. The National Park says it's "the snowiest place on earth where snow is measured regularly." If snowcapped peaks aren't your thing, plan to visit the park when the weather is warmer.

Great Sand Dunes (沙丘), Colorado

You probably imagine the Rocky Mountains when you think about Colorado, but did you know that the Centennial state is also home to the United States' largest sand dunes? See them for yourself at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can go sand boarding or "fat biking". Though June temperatures are said to be some of Southern Colorado's best, a warm winter day can be an equally enjoyable time to see the dunes.