1 . 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.
1. What purpose does the first paragraph serve?A.To provide an interesting example. |
B.To bring up the topic. |
C.To discuss the reasons of the Longji Rice Terraces’ popularity. |
D.To provide ways to visit Longji Rice Terraces. |
A.Staying a night at a guesthouse among the terraces. |
B.Going to the local Yao and Zhuang communities. |
C.Choosing good accommodations. |
D.Eating the local rice. |
A.He could admire the terraces’ autumnal beauty. | B.He found a time-saving way to the terraces. |
C.He came across one of his friends. | D.He had a professional local guide. |
A.The affordable hotel. | B.The friendly people. |
C.The great viewpoint. | D.The light traffic. |
A.In a short novel. | B.In a news report. | C.In a history book. | D.In a travel magazine. |
2 . National Parks, Wyoming
A bike tour is a great way to access busy national parks. This six-day trip is a big loop out of Jackson 5s Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa, with stops along the way to check out hot springs, moose (驼鹿) and the grizzly bear. Available June to September 2022; $3,095, vbt.com
Death Valley, California
This three-day trip starts with a meet and greet in Las Vegas before exploring a ghost town, on foot. Then the biking starts through the desert, heading to a hotel in time to catch a Death Valley sunset. The next day ifs a nearly 50-mile ride to the edge of a crater (火山口). Available October 2021 through December 2022; $1,649, rei.com
Finger Lakes, New York
This 121-mile bike tour snakes its way around Canandaigua lakes and rolling hills over five days. It starts with a wine tasting, then lunch and a ride through farmland. With only about 30 miles a day of riding, there’s plenty of time to try local wines and have a spa. Available June to July 2022;$5,499, trek travel. com
Florida Keys
Unless you book a custom trip, tours that include teens and kids can be difficult to find. Keep younger travelers engaged by mixing bike rides with other activities, like kayaking (独木舟), snorkeling, hiking and stand-up paddle boarding. This five-day trip heads south from Miami, through the Everglades National Park, and out to Key West. Along the way kids can learn to fish like the locals while parents can relax in excellent accommodations. Available December 2021 and December 2022;from $3,999, backroads. com
1. Which tour is the most suitable for families?A.National Parks, Wyoming | B.Death Valley, California |
C.Finger Lakes, New York | D.Florida Keys |
A.Learning to fish. | B.Seeing wild animals. |
C.Appreciating the sunset. | D.Trying local wines. |
A.Seeing the world from a bike seat. | B.Having a taste of farm life. |
C.Exploring local food on a bike trip. | D.Getting the most out of national parks. |
3 . Inakadate, a Japanese village of around 7, 000 people, is considered the home of a rice field art form. In the early 1990s, local authorities realized that youths were moving to big urban centers in large numbers, and started brainstorming for ways of breathing new life into the village. One of the proposed ideas was an art form inspired by the local’s traditional rice planting, done by hand for hundreds of years. Called Tanbo Art, it involved the use of different rice varieties to turn local rice fields into giant canvases (画布).
The first rice field artwork was displayed in 1993, when purple and yellow rice plants were used to create a detailed picture of Mt. Iwaki. The project was such a huge success that Inakadate authorities decided to turn it into a yearly event. Nowadays, a viewing platform is often set up somewhere above the rice field, from which people can admire the unique artwork.
To create the impressively massive field artworks, the locals use a technique unique to Japan, which involves surveying the rice fields, perspective drawing, and the planting of various types of rice plants to create the desired visual effect. Tanbo Art has come a long way in the last three decades, with designs gradually becoming larger and more complex.
Some of the most elaborate (精心制作的) rice field artworks created in Inakadate have required the use of no less than 10 rice plants in color. The process starts in the spring months, and by early summer, the fruits of this labor become clearly visible. July and August are the best months to visit this famous Japanese village.
There are many locals who say that rice field art has saved Inakadate, bringing in impressive numbers of tourists from all over the world every year, and boosting the local economy. The success of Inakadate inspired other rice cultivating communities to borrow the Tanbo Art concept, and today you can find this sort of impressive rice field artworks all across Japan.
1. The rice field art was originally built to ______.A.promote its traditional rice planting | B.turn local rice fields into giant canvases |
C.promote the tourist industry of the village | D.make the village more lively and energetic |
A.farming | B.population | C.tourist industry | D.rice consumption |
A.early spring is the best months to visit Inakadate |
B.many countries also follow the example of Inakadate |
C.a viewing platform can help tourists enjoy the rice field artworks |
D.no less than 10 rice plants were used to create the first rice field artwork |
A.Travel. | B.Economy. | C.Technology. | D.Local news. |
4 . Do you want to visit Warwick Castle in Britain? Warwick is a friendly and a memorable experience with something for all ages. Easily accessible by car, bus, train, cycling or on foot it is surrounded by historic buildings and numerous attractions.
Look at our online offers
Warwick-Castle. com is the only place to purchase the Ultimate Ticket Prices & Offers Castle and the Castle Dungeon Ticket at the best price.
Please note that Admission to the Castel Dungeon is NOT included with Standard online or on-the-day tickets. There are limited Dungeons tickets available, and only from Warwick-Castle. com. Please book in advance to guarantee your Castle Dungeon experience.
One Day Tickets
Booking online is the best way to get your tickets for Britain’s Ultimate Castle. Save 20% and skip the ticket queue when you arrive—it couldn’t be easier!
If you’re not sure when you want to visit then don’t worry—you can still book a Flexi Ticket—valid for any day that the castle is open during the year.
One Day Tickets(Not including the Castle Dungeon)
Ticket Type On the day Online Price
Adult £19. 95 £14. 36
Child(4-6 years old) £11. 95 £9. 56
Senior(more than 60 years old) £13. 95 £11. 16
Student £12. 95 £10. 36
Disabled Child £5. 00 £4. 00
The Ultimate Family Ticket £55. 00 £47. 00
(2 adults+2 children)
Click here to buy tickets online now!
Important notes on ticketing
Please note that if you wish to visit the Castle using an on-the-day promotional voucher (票券), your Dungeon experience can be pre-booked by calling 0870 442 2375.
A £1. 50 fee applies to all bookings made online and via telephone—one fee per booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Group rates are available for groups of more than 10 people. Groups can be booked by calling 0870442 2371 or online.
Online bookings must be made 24 hours before you visit.
1. If you hope to visit Castle Dungeon, you should ________.A.buy the ticket on the day | B.dial 0870 442 2375 |
C.book the ticket from Warwick-Castle. com | D.book the ticket two days in advance |
A.You don’t have to wait in queue. | B.You can save £20 at most. |
C.The ticket includes the Castle Dungeon. | D.The ticket is available at any time. |
A.you should use promotional voucher | B.bookings can be made by emails |
C.there should be at least 20 people | D.you should dial 08704422371 |
A.a newspaper | B.a magazine |
C.a geography book | D.a website |
5 . Famous Modern Chinese Buildings
The Beijing International Airport
The first place most visitors see when they arrive in China is the Beijing International Airport.
The airport was constructed in the 1950s. It has an indoor garden, a children’s playground,and over 70 food businesses in Terminal 3 alone.
The Shanghai World Financial Centre
Completed in 2008, SWFC took over 10 years to complete due to shortages of money and the construction delays. Since its completion, it has won countless architectural awards.
Tourists are welcome at SWFC’ s viewing platform, which is the world’s highest closed viewing platform.
The Water Cube
It was constructed for use during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Now visitors can express surprise at the architecture of the building. They can enjoy the indoor atmosphere as well.
Among the offerings of the Water Cube are a restaurant, a bar, a shopping area, and Water World, a family water park.
The Bird’s Nest
It was designed mainly for the 2008 Summer Olympics. It can hold up to 80,000 people. Nowadays, it also functions as a tourist attraction. It makes money from tourism. It draws more than 20,000 tourists every day.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts
It was completed in 2007. The building is surrounded by a man-made lake, requiring guests to enter through an underground hallway. It is home to an opera hall, a music hall, and a theatre.
1. Why was the construction of Shanghai World Financial Centre delayed?A.It needed more construction workers. | B.It was short of money. |
C.It added an extra viewing platform. | D.It faced too much terrible weather. |
A.By renting the winter theme park. | B.By increasing its opening time. |
C.By making money from tourism. | D.By giving some live concerts. |
A.Enjoy sports events. | B.Play on the viewing platform. |
C.Attend science lectures. | D.Watch different performances. |
6 . UNESCO World Heritage Sites were created to celebrate and safeguard the most unique places around the world. Below are my 4 favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cinque Terre, Italy
With cars banned here, you’ll really get to feel the unique history and character of the Cinque Terre’s five centuries-old coastal villages. The breathtaking views of harbors far below the wild coastline along with the rich colors will definitely make it a memorable holiday.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious (宗教的) monument and it contains impressive remains from the Khmer Empire (9th to 15th century). The site has dozens of iconic temples like Ta Prohm (a magnificent temple ruin hidden in the jungle). Hosting more than two million visitors annually, this artistic masterpiece is a must-see site.
Petra, Jordan
Petra’s rock-cut architecture has contributed to its nickname, the Rose City, based on the color of the stone it was carved from. The delicate constructions of temples and tombs along with the remains of churches and temples are only a couple of reasons why this world-famous site is a must-visit destination.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone’s vast wilderness includes mountain ranges, lakes and waterfalls. One of the main reasons for tourists to visit Yellowstone is to observe the amazing wildlife like grizzly bear, bison, bighorn sheep wander the plains and valleys.
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1. Where can tourists enjoy beautiful harbor views?A.In Cinque Terre. | B.In Angkor Wat. |
C.In Petra. | D.In Yellowstone National Park. |
A.Colorful stones. | B.Religious relics. |
C.Coastal villages. | D.Amazing wildlife. |
A.A news report. | B.A wildlife brochure. |
C.A travel blog. | D.An economic magazine. |
7 . Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match — no matter how specialized.
1. Meatopia
This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover’s paradise. In addition to a range of legally sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to tender steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demonstrations, and attend informal meat-based workshops.
2. The National Honey Show
If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts many local entries who showcase their sweet golden honey, some of which is sold globally.
3. The Orange Sauce Festival
Have you heard about a festival that is devoted only to orange sauce? Held in Cumbria, this sweet, fragrant festival has been running for 3 years. What attracts people most is a competition to find the best homemade orange sauce. There are thousands of participants from over 30 different countries across the globe, bringing their local snacks to share here.
4. The Ginger and Spice Festival
If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger (姜) and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. Unlike other food festivals, it celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialize in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of traditional spices from mild to hot.
1. What do Meatopia and the National Honey Show have in common?A.Both of them last for three days. | B.Both of them hold workshops. |
C.Both of them originated from London. | D.Both of them have a long history. |
A.The Meatopia. | B.The Ginger and Spice Festival. |
C.The National Honey Show. | D.The Orange Sauce Festival. |
A.It has something to do with a historic figure. |
B.The ginger used in the festival is from India. |
C.It sells spicy food. |
D.The food is cooked by Robert Clive. |
8 . What to See in Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi
Set along the Pantai Cenang beach town, Underwater World Langkawi houses more than 500 species of sea creatures including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, seahorses, as well as mandarin ducks. One of the highlights is a 15-metre walkthrough underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up views of sharks, giant stingrays, and green turtles.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09: 30-18: 30, Saturday-Sunday 09: 30-22: 30
Price Range: RM40 (adults)and RM30(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Wildlife Park& Bird Paradise
Great for families and animal lovers, Langkawi Wildlife Park &Bird Paradise houses over 2, 500 unique birds from 150 species such as canaries, parakeets, owls, eagles, ,hornbills and flamingos. The park is fitted with a walk-in aviary(鸟舍)and a 15-metre-tall man-made waterfall, where some of the birds are free to roam about and interact with visitors.
Opening Hours: Daily 08: 30-18: 00
Price Range: RM28 (adults) and RM18 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum
Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed. As the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, there are nine interactive zones within this three-story building, including optical illusion, fantasy, classic 9 castles, landscapes, Egyptian and Malaysian zones.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-18: 00
Price Range: RM38 (adults) and RM28 (children aged 3 to 12 years old)
Taman Lagenda Langkawi
Located beside the Kuah jetty, Taman Lagenda is a beautifully landscaped folk-themed park where you can explore on foot or hire a carriage to take you around. The open-air garden museum, faces the Kuah waterfront and has a total of 17 colourful sculptures showing Langkawi legends including tales of heroic giants, mythical birds, evil ogres and beautiful princesses.
Opening Hours: Daily 09: 00-19: 00
Price Range: RM5 (adults)and RM2.50(children aged 3 to 12 years old)
1. In which attraction can visitors get close to animals at night?A.Taman Lagenda Langkawi. | B.Underwater World Langkawi. |
C.Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise. | D.Langkawi Arts in Paradise 3D Museum. |
A.Enjoy close-up views of sea creatures. |
B.Play with birds in the interactive zones. |
C.Take pictures of the great artworks. |
D.Appreciate the sculptures in the open air. |
A.RM 12. 5. | B.RM 74. | C.RM 110. | D.RM 104. |
A.In an introduction to pet houses. | B.In a list of souvenirs. |
C.In an operation guideline. | D.In a tourist handbook. |
9 . Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience where you could make lifelong memories or it could ruin your friendship.
Communicate and respect each other. Everyone has personal preferences when travelling— from getting the bed closest to the bathroom or sitting in the airplane’s window seat. But sometimes things don’t go as you like. In this case, share your requirements directly with your travel companions.
Don’t disappear. When travelling with a group — or even just one other person — you may want some alone time. That’s completely fine, but make sure your friends know where you are and have a way of contacting you.
Get off your phone. Of course, your friends will understand if you need to take a call from a family member, or in the event of a work emergency, but other than that, try to stay off your phone.
A.Give each other some space. |
B.Include at least one activity for everyone. |
C.So it’s important to make sure you and your friend(s) are on the same page. |
D.At the same time, listen to their concerns and be respectful of them. |
E.Don’t respond to less important work contact or send messages frequently. |
F.It’s especially true of travelling in foreign countries or unfamiliar places. |
G.And remember that consideration and respect go a long way. |
10 . Dreaming of visiting one of those picture perfect European towns filled with old world attractiveness and scenic beauty? Here is a look at the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
Manarola
Manarola, Italy, is filled with rainbow colored homes carved right into a wall of stone along the Mediterranean coast. This fishing town is famous for its unbelievable wine, and the paintings. There are no cars here, no traffic lights, and no traffic noise. You can drive to Manarola, but you’ll have to park just outside the town and then take a shuttle bus or walk in on foot.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is a fascinating mountain town. Once two separate towns, one Roman and the other Teutonic, the 1936 Winter Olympics forced them to combine, though the two sides still have different characters. The town dates back to 15 AD, filled with narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with historic three or four story buildings painted with local and religious scenes.
Marsaxlokk
The energetic trading port of Marsaxlokk, Malta, was built in 900 BC. Today, this pretty town is the main supplier of fish to the island nation that sits in the Mediterranean Sea. It has no modern buildings to ruin its appeal. With such quiet surroundings, including the traditional luzzus(fishing boats), it’s a particularly attractive place to visit.
Portmagee, Ireland
In a country filled with beautiful towns, Portmagee is a standout, sitting on the southwest coast of Ireland. This postcard perfect seaside fishing town has a row of brightly colored buildings along with a rich and colorful history. At The Bridge Bar, you’ll find live music many nights of the week along with fantastic food and a fine pint of beer.
1. In which town are tourists not allowed to go sightseeing by car?A.Manarola. | B.Garmisch-Partenkirchen. |
C.Marsaxlokk. | D.Portmagee. |
A.Wine and paintings. | B.Religious scenes. |
C.Fish and old buildings. | D.A rich history and live music. |
A.prefer enjoyment in an old coastal fishing town |
B.want to stay on a Mediterranean island |
C.have special interest in traditional fishing boats |
D.need a good rest in a mountain town |