1 . The Best Sillk Road Tour
Silk Road, a business and trade route, originates from the ancient China and connects with the Asian. African and European countries. Our well-designed Silk Road tour package will never let you down.
Departure City: Shanghai
Guide & Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals: 12 western buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches with some being a la carte (点菜)style
Tour Highlights:
·Must-see sights in China-Terracotta Warriors, Famen Temple, Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Maiji Caves, Jiayuguan Pass and Mutianyu Great Wall
·Trace back to the Silk Road of 2, 000 years ago & learn about the culture and history Marvel at the art treasure-Mogao Caves & enjoy an exciting camel riding in the Gobi Desert We Guarantee 100% No Shopping Stops!
Tour Prices
| Tour Prices with Luxury Hotels | ||
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
| $3749 | $3299 | $2939 |
| Tour Prices with Standard Hotels | ||
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9 travelers |
| $3479 | $3029 | $2669 |
·Prices are per person in US Dollars
·Any parts of the tour length, activities or hotels can be tailored to your individual interests Are you ready to follow the footsteps of the ancients to explore this mysterious land now?
1. What will people do on the tour?| A．Appreciate the ancient heritage. | B．Ride on camels all the way. |
| C．Stay a few nights in caves. | D．Do a lot of shopping. |
| A．A Beijing businessman good at golf | B．A Japanese model loving fashion. |
| C．A Yunnan biologist interested in birds. | D．An American student learning history. |
| A．$3479 | B．$3749. |
| C．$7498. | D．$11247. |
2 . In the coming summer, we are gathering to enjoy the sun, beaches and so on. Now let’s get a knowledge of some beautiful island countries in the world.
The Philippines
One of the most beautiful and best island countries in the world is the Philippines. It’s actually a geographically wonderful place worth visiting at any time of the year. The Philippines contain over 7,000 islands, and all of them are beautiful and unique in their own way. There are many wonderful tourist attractions including the Tubbataha Reef, Mayon Volcano, Banaue Rice Terraces, Puerto Galera, Donsol, the Chocolate Hills and many more. The country also offers plenty of interesting activities for you to experience, such as diving, climbing, camping, hiking, bird watching.
Australia
Australia is an amazing continental island country, which everyone should visit at least once in life. It’s often identified as huge diverse country as it boasts a rich culture, fantastic wildlife, nice people, and a lot of fun and interesting things to see and to do. Australia has literally everything, from the spectacular beaches, canyons, to breathtaking green forests to explore.
Greece
Greece is a beautiful country, known for its long history and its clean beaches. The country consists of over 1,400 islands and islets, however only 169 of them are actually inhabited. These Greek islands are the most popular and visited Greek destinations, especially during the summer months. Mykonos island, Santorini island, Crete island, Corfu island are among the best Greek islands to visit. If you’re a history fan, there are many archaeological and historical sites you can visit in Greece, which wonderfully describe the past of the country.
Cuba
Unfortunately, few people even think of visiting Cuba these days. However, Cuba is a charming island country that boasts the clear blue waters, the white sandy beaches, the best coral reefs in the world, the small shops and numerous attractions. This country has a rich culture and history to explore. And if you like to dive or snorkel, Cuba should be one on your travel bucket list. Cuba is close to North America, so why not visit it this year?
1. Which country is fit for people to sightsee throughout the year?| A．Australia. | B．Cuba. |
| C．The Philippines. | D．Greece. |
| A．You can go diving, climbing, camping and exploring history in the Philippines. |
| B．Australia boasts fantastic wildlife and the best coral reefs in the world. |
| C．Spring is the best season for people to visit Greek islands. |
| D．Cuba is not a country for many people choosing to travel to. |
| A．Breathtaking green forests. | B．A rich culture. |
| C．Fantastic wildlife. | D．Archaeological sites. |
3 . The US has countless secret swimming holes throughout most states, many of which you’ve likely never heard of unless you’re from the area.
Havasu Falls (Arizona)
This attractive waterfall in the Grand Canyon is undoubtedly a destination spot requiring a 10-mile walk to the falls. You can take a guided tour to the falls, or make it on your own. The Havasu Falls is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which means you’ll need to get a permit to visit — this has become increasingly difficult as more people discover this hidden place.
Hamilton Pool (Austin)
Hamilton Pool was created when an underground river’s roof fell down suddenly, exposing what is now the swimming hole and creating a 50-foot waterfall that flows over the above limestone (石灰岩). You’ll have to reserve beforehand to gain entry to the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Chutes and Ladders (Maul)
To get to this secret swimming hole, you’ll have to grasp a rope and slide down the face of a cliff for 40 feet, and then climb down about 8 feet of lava rock to the pool. Once there, however, you’ll be glad you have made the journey. The swimming hole is on the edge of the ocean — a natural pool, you could say — with a depth that invites you to jump in without crowds of people around to watch.
Homestead Crater (Utah)
The Homestead Crater is hidden under a rock dome (穹顶) with an opening at the top that allows for sunlight and air. It was once only accessible by that top opening, but there is now easy access through a side path for visitors. Go for a swim in the beautiful mineral spring water.
1. Which of the following do you need an official written statement to visit?| A．Havasu Falls. | B．Hamilton Pool. |
| C．Chutes and Ladders. | D．Homestead Crater. |
| A．A tour guide. | B．An invitation. |
| C．More outdoor skills. | D．A reservation in advance. |
| A．They are hidden in some areas. | B．They are shaped by limestone. |
| C．They are created by local people. | D．They are accessible through a hole. |
4 . Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost £ 169. 15 at Booking.com. A week later, the same room cost £ 118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid--- or you're looking for a big event to pass your time--- check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.
STAYAWAY FROM THE STATION If traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don't be too choosy about the part of town you stay in. Booking two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge's Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was £ 95.95 . A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £ 75.75 . And at Farringdon, a double room cost just £ 62.95 .
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF Really central hotels in cities such as London. Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune, especially at weekends and during big events. As a choice consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen, where you can cook. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings. A great example is the historic O'Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £ 420 for five days in late September, with room for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE London’s "Boris bikes' have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programs that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programs are Newcastle (casual members pay around £ 1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day).
1. The Brighton Comedy Festival is mentioned mainly to show big events may ________.| A．help travelers pass time |
| B．attract lots of travelers to the UK |
| C．allow travelers to make flexible plans |
| D．cause travelers to pay more for accommodation |
| A．a hotel away from the train station | B．the tube line to Covent Garden |
| C．an ideal holiday destination | D．the name of a travel agency |
| A．lies on the ground floor |
| B．is located in central London |
| C．provides cooking facilities for tourists |
| D．costs over £100 on average per day in late September |
| A．half an hour | B．one hour |
| C．one hour and a half | D．two hours |
| A．to tell visitors how to book in advance |
| B．to supply visitors with hotel information |
| C．to show visitors the importance of self-help |
| D．to offer visitors some money-saving tips |
5 . Paris boasts a wealth of world-class museums and arehitectural masterpieces. From the world’s largest art museum to France’s most famous landmark, there is plenty to experience in the French capital.
The Louvre Museum
As the most visited art museum in the world and also the largest, the Louvre should be top of your list. It would take you no fewer than 100 days to visit the 35,000 works of art on display across 300 rooms – and that’s if you spend just 30 seconds looking at each one.
The Moulin Rouge（红磨坊）
The Moulin Rouge in Montmartre, with its iconic red windmill, was built in 1885. The venue pioneered the famous French cancan dance, and has now become one of the most famous cabarets in the world. Expect flamboyant handmade costumes of feathers and elegance at every turn.
The Eiffel Tower
Originally built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution in 1889, the impressive Eiffel Tower has become the most iconic landmark(地标) of France. The first floor is home to the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant while the second-floor observation deck provides spectacular bird’s eye views – the best in the city.
The top of the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe, a Neoclassical take on the ancient Roman areh, is one of Paris’s most iconic attractions. It’s worth hiking the 284 stairs to reach the platform on top of the areh as the views span right across the city, towering above the capital at 50m tall.
1. What can visitors expect to do while visiting Paris?| A．Watching the ballet. |
| B．Enjoying the local food. |
| C．Reaching the platform on top of the areh easily. |
| D．Fully understanding the Louvre within one day. |
| A．The Arc De Triomphe. | B．The Louvre Museum. |
| C．The Eiffel Tower. | D．The Mourin Rouge. |
| A．Museum-goers. | B．Hiking-lovers. |
| C．Dance-lovers. | D．Travel-devotees. |
6 . China is one of the best tourist destinations with many great museums, which will show you the Chinese civilization for the past thousands of years.
The Palace Museum, Beijing
There are always long lines at the gate, but it’s worth the wait. The palace Museum had been the Chinses imperial (皇帝的) palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.
When you wander in the museum, you will be amazed at this largest palace complex in the world! It has about 1,807,000 rare and valuable artworks that witness the 5,000-year Chinese civilization.
Opening Hours:
April 1 — October 31: 8:30 — 17:00
November 1— March 31: 8:30 — 16:30
Closed on Mondays (except for national holidays and July-August)
National Museum of China, Beijing
This is the second most-visited museums in the world. Opened in 2003, the museum is devoted to educating the art and history of China through its collections, exhibitions, and academic researches.
Here you'll find the most brilliant masterpieces in China. It is now holding approximately 1,400,000 amazing objects. These objects are like storytellers who reveal Chinese history from the Yuanmou Man of 1.7 million years ago to the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Opening Hours:
9:00 — 17:00
Closed on Mondays
Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (兵马俑), Xi'an
The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is featured with thousands of life-sized terracotta figures of warriors and horses. They are arranged in battle formations and different from each other with individual characteristics.
Thousands of treasures still remain to be unearthed at this archaeological (考古的) site, and more mysteries of the Qin dynasty will be revealed someday in the future.
Opening Hours:
March 16— November 15: 8:30 — 18:00
November 16— March 15: 8:30 — 17:30
Shanghai Museum, Shanghai
Visiting Shanghai Museum is ranked No. 2 out of 10 things to do in Shanghai. Perhaps, this is the most modern museum in China, housing a diverse collection of around 1,020,000 artifacts that chart the nation's history.
There are eleven galleries in three exhibition halls, covering most of the major categories of Chinese art: bronzes, sculpture, ceramics (陶瓷制品), paintings, calligraphy, seals, jade, coins and Ming and Qing furniture.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 — 17:00
1. Which museum houses the largest collection?| A．The Palace Museum . | B．The National Museum of China. |
| C．The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. | D．The Shanghai Museum. |
| A．It is the most popular museum in the world. |
| B．It used to be part of the emperor's palace. |
| C．It shows Chinese history of all times. |
| D．It opens every day except Monday. |
| A．Its collections date back to the age of the Yuanmou Man. |
| B．The masterpieces are arranged in its many galleries. |
| C．It focuses on the archaeological findings of one dynasty. |
| D．Sculpture, ceramics and paintings are on show there. |
7 . There are many heritage sites in the world. The following are four sites in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Easter Island, Chile
This place is famous for its huge stone statues. The first European visitors, the Dutch, named it Easter Island in memory of their day of arrival. The small and hilly island was formed by volcanoes. Easter Island was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995.
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada
The park is best known for its extensive fossil (化石) beds, within which 35 species of dinosaurs from about 100 to 65 million years ago have been identified. There are also fossilized remains of fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Hadrian's Wall, England
This is a Roman barrier that guarded the border of Britain. Hadrian (ruled 117—138 CE) went to Britain in 122 and was the first to build a wall, 80 miles long, to separate the Romans from the barbarians. There was no intention of fighting from the wall top; the soldiers there were trained to encounter the enemy in the open. In 1987, Hadrian's Wall was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Salonga National Park, Congo
This is the largest reserve in Congo, covering more than 14,000 square miles. The park was established in 1970. The thick forest provides habitats for various animals like parrots, elephants and monkeys. Park visitors observe the animals from motorized river boats. The park was entered into the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1984.
1. When was Easter Island listed as a UNESCO World Heritage?| A．In 1979. | B．In 1984. |
| C．In 1987. | D．In 1995. |
| A．To defend against the Romans. | B．To honor the British soldiers. |
| C．To protect the Romans from attack. | D．To keep watch on the wall top. |
| A．Easter Island. | B．Dinosaur Provincial Park. |
| C．Hadrian's Wall. | D．Salonga National Park. |
8 . 4 World Heritage (遗产)Sites in China
The Temple of Heaven
Located in the southern part of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is a magnificent complex (综合建筑群) of fine cultural buildings set in gardens. The sacred (神圣的) place served as a complex of sacrificial (献祭的) buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors, and is the largest one in Beijing among several royal altars (神坛) to Heaven, Earth, the Sun , the Moon and other symbolic forces of nature. It symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven --- the human world and God’s world --- which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony (宇宙进化论).
Mogao Caves
Located on south-east of the Dunhuang oasis, Gansu province, the Mogao caves, also known as the Thousand-Buddha Caves, are the world’s largest and longest used treasure house of Buddhist art. According to historical records, the carving of the caves started in 366 AD and continued for about 1000 years. The 492 well-preserved cells and cave sanctuaries (内殿)in Mogao, housing about 45000 square meters of murals (壁画)and more than 2000 painted sculptures (雕塑), are well-known for their statues (雕像)and wall paintings.
Fujian tulou
Fujian tulou consists of (is made up of) 46 buildings constructed (built) between the 15th and 20th centuries. Several stories high, the earthen houses were built along an inward-looking , circular(圆形的) or square floor plan as housing for up to 800 people each. They were built for defense(防御) purposes around a central open courtyard (庭院)with only one entrance and windows to the outside only above the first floor. Housing a whole clan (家族), the houses functioned as village units and were known as “ a little kingdom for the family”.
The Leshan Giant Buddha
The Leshan Giant Buddha is said to be the biggest Buddha statue in the world. The way in which the cultural features (特色) have been integrated (成为一体)with the natural scenery is considered to be a precious legacy (遗产).The Giant Buddha statue, carved on the mountain, stands 71m high, with its back against Mount Jiuding. There are more than 90 stone carvings and Buddha shrines (神坛)on both sides of the Giant Buddha.
1. Which of the following served as a sacrificial place in the past ?| A．Fujian tulou. | B．Mogao. |
| C．The Temple of Heaven. | D．The Leshan Giant Buddha. |
| A．They are several stories high. |
| B．They can hold hundreds of people. |
| C．They have windows on the first floor. |
| D．They have only one access to the outside. |
| A．They were both royal places. | B．They were both found in caves. |
| C．They are both religious resorts (名胜). | D．They both have historic murals. |
9 . I love to travel alone for one reason: the strangers. Talking to strangers along your travels can change your trip into an adventure.
Don’t ignore your fellow tourists. On a casual road trip, I went into a local shop. Waiting in a line to pay, I asked the woman ahead of me if she was from the area. “Nope. Oklahoma,” she told me. “Why?”
Stop using your phone. You need to be an open person, with open body language and open eyes and without a shield(盾). But my phone often gets between me and the surroundings. It ruins my chances to make eye contact with the people I see.
Don’t be afraid of getting lost. On a visit to London a few years ago, I got out from the Tube and got hopelessly lost.
| A．It began to rain |
| B．Let strangers make all your plans |
| C．When you’ re watching somebody |
| D．I will share with you my experience |
| E．If stopping using it feels unsafe to you |
| F．Never feel afraid of the strangers you meet |
| G．I replied I was on a trip, looking for scenic spots |
10 . The 2015 Alameda County Fair
The 2015 Alameda County Fair runs Wednesday, June 17 through Sunday, July 5. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Fair Favorites will include horse racing, exhibits, animals, food, rides, games, pig races, kids’ attractions, special event days and more.
◆ Activities:
Big O Tires FREE Concerts: 8p.m.-9:15p.m, nightly. Special effects show with video tribute to local heroes, immediately following concerts.
Horse Racing :Thursday through Sunday, June 18～21 , June 25 ～ 28, and July 2～5.
Fans of fair food can also look forward to the return of the SNACKDOWN, where food vendors offer up new menu items to compete for the prized championship belt. A live judging event to decide the championships will be held at the Fair on Friday, June 21 at 4 p. m.
The 4th of July of Fireworks Show comes back in grand style, this time, set to live music performed by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. The Blues Festival runs all day from 1 p. m. to 9 p. m. , followed by the Fireworks Show at 9:30 p. m. The Fair will celebrate Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, with special attractions and promotions just for dads, including Brew Haven, a craft beer festival held during the first week of the Fair.
◆ Address: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, CA 94566, ( 925) 426-7600
◆ Gate Admission:
Adults( 13 ～ 61) — $12;
Kids(6 ～ 12)— $8;
Children ( under 6) —FREE;
Purchase in advance (before June 16) and save up to 30%.
1. On June 21, visitors to the Fair can NOT _______.| A．join ill Horse Racing | B．celebrate Father’s Day |
| C．enjoy watching pig races | D．watch a live judging event on food |
| A．$20 | B．$22 | C．$32 | D．$14 |
| A．A tourist guide. | B．A news report. |
| C．An official report. | D．A scientific research. |
