1 . National parks are an excellent way to explore all the beauty that the world has to offer: whether it’s endangered species, erupting volcanoes and snowy mountains, or rainforests and lakes. Of the thousands of national parks that exist in the world, these are the ones that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Yorkshire Dales, United KingdomContrary (相反) to the popular link of national parks with the wilderness, it is filled with winding valleys, hills and villages where over 24,000 people live and work. Visitors can walk through grassland, visit waterfalls or explore underground caves, but Yorkshire Dales is also home to several food shops, and the park hosts cheese festivals and farmers markets regularly, so it’s best to go hungry.
Kakadu National Park, AustraliaIt is a delight for those who like a bit of history mixed with the biodiversity of national parks. While it houses thousands of species of wildlife, there’s more to the national park than that.
Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, ChinaIt is surrounded by striking natural beauty and can be explored by land. But the river national park, as the name suggests, is best explored through leisurely boat rides that take visitors through many ancient towns that come along the way of the river.
Vatnajökull National Park, IcelandHere’s a surprising fact: The whole of Vatnajökull National Park makes up 14% of Iceland’s territory! The park is usually open for hikes around the glaciers; boat rides through glacier lakes, and tours that take visitors through the park’s many ice caves, waterfalls, and icebergs. Vatnajökull is also where two of Iceland’s most active volcanoes are located.
1. What is recommended for a trip to Yorkshire Dales?| A．Recording local customs. |
| B．Skiing in the snowy mountains. |
| C．Going with an empty stomach. |
| D．Watching the eruption of volcanoes. |
| A．Yorkshire Dales. |
| B．Kakadu National Park. |
| C．Vatnajökull National Park. |
| D．Guilin and Lijiang River National Park. |
| A．There are many ancient towns. |
| B．There are various ice caves inside. |
| C．They are aimed at protecting rivers. |
| D．They can be explored through boats. |
2 . The best spring destinations in Tibet
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has long been an ideal and mysterious destination for visitors. Now with the arrival of spring, the climate is becoming more pleasant and Tibet has become an even better trowel destination. Here we recommend some of the best tourist destinations in Tibet which might suit your travel taste.
Peach blossom valley: Nyingchi
The peach blossoms in Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region have been named as “the most beautiful peach flowers in the world”. A great time to visit Nyingchi for the peach blossoms would usually be from March 20 to Apil 15 each year.
The peach blossom valley in Bomi County, Nyingchi, stretches for 30 kilometers, making it one of the longest in China. Peach blossoms can be seen everywhere- around houses, across farmlands and along streams. Peach trees bloom depending on the altitude and climate, so visitors will have the chance to enjoy the blossoms throughout April.
The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon
The Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world. With a total length of about 500 kilometers, its altitude spans from 1,182 meters at Namchak Barwa, the highest peak of the eastern Himalayas, to 550 meters around the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley in Metog County.
One unique feature of the spring sight here is that visitors can enjoy both the peach blossoms and the snow-capped mountains at the same time.
Nanyi Valley
Nanyigou scenic spot is 20 kilometers away from Milin County and is an important birthplace of the mysterious Tibetan medicine culture. The scenic area rovers a total area of 820 hectares. The ecological conditions here are so good that the place is rich in various animal and plant species.
Surrounded by mountains and shrouded (遮蔽) in clouds, Nanyi Valley is an ideal spring destination for visitors, where you can find peach and azalea blossoms everywhere.
1. What do the three tourist destinations have in common?| A．They are all covered with snow. |
| B．They are rich in various animal and plant species. |
| C．They provide beautiful peach blossoms for visitors. |
| D．They are the birthplaces of the Tibetan medicine culture. |
| A．It’s the second deepest canyon In the world. |
| B．Visitors can have fun from March 20 to April 15 each year. |
| C．It is 550 meters away from the eastern Himalayas. |
| D．Visitors can admire the snow-capped mountains there. |
| A．Tourism. | B．Technology. | C．Agriculture. | D．Photography. |
“A barbecue restaurant owner I know told me to come back on Monday, so as to leave the weekends to out-of-town visitors,” said Huang Yang, a native of Zibo city in Shandong province
Thanks to social media recommendations, Zibo has
Taking advantage of the barbecue craze, Zibo has gone all out to promote local tourism resources, while
4 . Booking flights can be really exciting, but the prices might shock you into not booking your dream vacation. Never fear! We’ve offered some best tips for finding the cheapest airfares.
◆ Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times
Airline ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day of the week and time of the year. In general, Fridays and Sundays are the most desirable days, so tickets will be pricier. Prices are cheaper if you fly after a major holiday. Airlines know when a festival, holiday, or school break is coming up — and they raise prices accordingly. Be flexible with your dates and times, and you’ll save yourself some major money.
◆ Use Multiple Flight Platforms
Checking between the different platforms can often provide you with better insights into flight combinations and prices — for the same exact flights. Different platforms have different advantages and features, so play around with them all. You’ll quickly determine the one(s) you like best!
◆ Check for a Student Discount
As a student, you might be in luck. Some airlines, say, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), have a student ticket which means that for up to one week before departure, students pay the cheapest fare. Normal travelers at that time have to pay a much higher price, but a SAS Youth Ticket may be only one quarter the price of a normal ticket.
◆ Keep an Eye for Special Deals
Before looking for specific flights, make sure you’ve signed up for some newsletters. Joining the mailing list for airlines will give you access to the absolute best deals. More often than not, cheap flights are only available for a limited window (usually 24 hours). Keeping your eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss an amazing opportunity.
1. When might the airfares be the cheapest?| A．The first day of Christmas Holiday. |
| B．The middle day of Christmas Holiday. |
| C．The Friday before Christmas Holiday. |
| D．The Wednesday after Christmas Holiday. |
| A．To make travel time flexible. |
| B．To get access to special deals. |
| C．To check for a student discount. |
| D．To take advantage of different platforms. |
| A．Book your trip. | B．Design your route. |
| C．Enjoy your tour. | D．Research your destination. |
Videos of 77-year-old Xu Xiuzhen,
To support her family, Xu, who dopped out of junior school in the third grade, began to learn different languages
Over the past two decades, Xu
“More and more foreign tourists are coming to Yangshuo, and I hope they will feel at home here
Usually, if you first travel to Guilin in China for the first time, you are mostly advised
For the people
Hiking
The Shennongjia Scenic Area is divided into several parts. A must-visit site is the Shennong Peak, which
Considering the high altitude of the mountain, an automobile ride
Almost every day of the year finds the peak hidden in a heavy layer of cloud cover, fog or mist, making it difficult for people
For tourists
8 . The Dead Sea might be the most famous saline body in the world, but it’s by no means the only one. Here, we uncover some other salt lakes around the world.
Dead Sea
The most famous of the lot, the Dead Sea—also known as the Salt Sea—is a natural place to start. It’s technically not a sea at all, but a land salt lake. Its waters are mainly drawn from the Jordan River, and the high salinity (盐度) means no life can survive here, so don’t expect any colorful fish. However, much amusement results from the sea’s buoyancy (浮力): Bring some reading material to the waters and lie back—nature will do the rest.
Lake Assal
Surrounded by black volcano rocks, Lake Assal takes the title of being the lowest point in Africa. Vast salt fields mark its edges; the lake has long been at the centre of the area’s salt trade, on which the region’s African locals still rely. Though the area might not be suitable to live in, the waters are rich in minerals and related to health benefits.
Great Salt Lake
The biggest salt lake in the western hemisphere, and the one that gave Salt Lake City its name, the Great Salt Lake finds its home in northern Utah. What makes the lake well-known is not only the lake’s blue and green waters and white-sand beaches, but also Great Salt Lake State Park and Antelope Island State Park, both offering super hiking and biking trails, and great long views.
Don Juan Pond
Don Juan Pond might not win any prizes for its beauty—at four inches deep, it’s little more than a pond, but it is worth visiting. Its salinity content of almost 40 percent makes it one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, meaning it doesn’t freeze even when Antarctic temperatures drop to -50℃. And with suggestions that water in a similar form could exist on Mars, there’s more than one reason for scientists to study this fascinating dry, cold environment.
1. What can visitors probably do in Lake Assal?| A．Read books. | B．Have a hike. |
| C．Enjoy small fishes. | D．Take a bath in the lake. |
| A．Its great parks. | B．Its scientific value. |
| C．Its highest salinity. | D．Its specific location. |
| A．Dead Sea. | B．Lake Assal. |
| C．Don Juan Pond. | D．Great Salt Lake. |
9 . Dozens of sea turtles swim past as I dive. Suddenly a diver cuts me off. Then another. “Hey!” I think. “Watch where you’re going!” Then I realize: These aren’t divers. They are sea lions! The creatures blow bubbles at me and the group of 11 kids I’m on vocations with, hitting us slightly on our backs. To not bother them much, we tear ourselves away from the wonderland.
We take this trip to the Galapagos Islands, a group of tropical islands crossing the equator. Our hotel is a boat called the Eclipse that has a pool. Humans aren’t allowed to live on most of the islands. The only way people can experience the magic of this place and meet animals on all the islands is by “panga”. “Our small motorboat is more important than the Eclipse. It’s very safe,” says a local guide, Fielsch. Lack of human threat makes the animals friendly. “They don’t know enough to be scared of humans.” Our group experience that firsthand. When we return after our diving adventure, we find sea lions lying next to our backpacks! Walking along the sand, we see more wildlife: seals, red crabs, orcas.
The following morning, we reach Fernandina Island, known for its volcano. Flightless birds called cormorants build nests on the rocks. Nearby are Galapagos penguins. Averaging about 19 inches in height, they’re the second smallest species of penguin in the world. “The Galapagos are so curious,” says 12-year-old Harry. “You’ve got penguins living far from the frozen South Pole, and birds that don’t fly!”
As we ride back, six penguins stand like soldiers, seeming to say goodbye. It’s our last day; none of us wants to leave this place. We know this trip has been a milestone for us. A marked shift in our attitudes towards the natural world is underway. “The Galapagos Islands seem to break the world’s rules,” says Harry. “More than ever, I’m interested in saving the environment. These animals truly need our care,” his sister Hannah adds.
1. How does the author find the diving experience?| A．Attractive. | B．Disturbing. |
| C．Dangerous. | D．Valuable. |
| A．To protect people from danger. |
| B．To provide a shelter for local people. |
| C．To guide people in seeing the animals. |
| D．To transport people to each of the islands. |
| A．They are not able to fly. |
| B．They remain hidden from view. |
| C．They live in a tropical climate. |
| D．They’re the smallest of their kind. |
| A．It expands their knowledge of the world. |
| B．It changes the way they think about nature. |
| C．It inspires them to protect the environment. |
| D．It enables them to interact with various wildlife. |
10 . Make the most of the pleasant weather and enjoy the best walk of the year with friends and family. Use your 2 for 1 Entry in some of our favorite landscape gardens for a memorable day out.
Painswick Rococo Garden
Find beauty and quietness at the UK's only complete surviving Rococo Garden. Discover fanciful garden flowers, woodland walks, and beautifully framed (镶框) views across the valley. Dogs on short leads are permitted and the shop offers a range of seasonal and local produce.
Book at rococogarden.org.uk.
Open: closed 1-25 March, open 26-31 March, 10 am-4 pm, last entry 2:30 pm.
Nymans Garden
Walk down Spring Walk packed with seasonal flowers and pleasant smells, and enjoy the hedge (树篱) topped with frost. Routes include those with plenty of level paths to follow around the garden. Dogs are welcome every day from 1:30 pm, with a festive treat provided.
Book at nationaltrust.org.uk/ nymans.
Open: daily except 24-25 March, 10 am-4 pm.
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Even in early spring, there are typically over 200 varieties of plants to be seen flowering as you explore the 27 acres. Enjoy access to the coastal path and routes accessible for wheelchairs, and then warm up with coffee milk in the cafe afterwards.
Book at botanic.co.uk.
Open: daily except 25 March, 9 am-4 pm.
Gibside Garden
Enjoy walking paths at this Georgian landscape garden, featuring plenty of wildlife. Follow the winding river and turning valley for fantastic views. up with hot chocolate and delicious biscuits in the second-hand bookshop.
Book at nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside.
Open: daily except 24 and 25 March, 10 am-4 pm.
1. What do Painswick Rococo Garden and Nymans Garden have in common?| A．Valley views. | B．Frosty flowers. | C．Seasonal produce. | D．Pet permission. |
| A．Painswick Rococo Garden. | B．Nymans Garden. |
| C．Ventnor Botanic Garden. | D．Gibside Garden. |
| A．In a research paper. | B．In a travel brochure. |
| C．In a science magazine. | D．In a geography textbook. |
