Sichuan cuisine, one of the eight major cuisines in China, is now popular all over the world. In February 2010, Chengdu     1     (award) the honorary title of “City of Gastronomy” (美食之都) by UNESCO. To experience comprehensive Sichuan cuisine culture, you should definitely visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum (also Chuancais Museum), the first museum     2     (display) a regional cooking culture in the world.

    3     (cover) an area of more than 40 mu, the museum forms     4     unique cultural landscape of ancient Kingdom of Shu in Chinese history. In this AAA national museum, you can appreciate more than 6,000 pieces of antique and cultural relics related to Sichuan cuisine culture, as well as     5     (catch) a glimpse of new style classic garden scenery and traditional western Sichuan style folk houses. Sichuan Cuisine Museum is the only “EATABLE MUSEUM”,     6     you can not only learn Sichuan cuisine culture by using eyes and ears, but also enjoy it by using mouth and nose. Interesting, meaningful and featured activities are     7     (special) designed from the moment you stepped into the museum to the time you leave. The highlighted experience for your visit should be cooking the typical Sichuan dishes     8     the guidance of the professional chef. There is arguably no better way to know more about a cuisine     9     learning how to cook it yourself.

Start your     10     (explore) from Sichuan Cuisine Museum, enjoy different aspects of Sichuan cuisine, satisfy your curiosity and taste buds and experience all fun for “Playing with Chuancais”.

Following the barbecue-induced travel craze to the city of Zibo in East China, Chinese social media has once again highlighted the next internet-famous city worthy of     1     (explore).

This time it’s Tianshui, a low-key city in China’s Gansu province that     2     (take) the spotlight recently. It has attracted considerable attention     3     food enthusiasts and social media influencers online,     4     (celebrate) the city’s iconic dish of hot pot.

Known as Tianshui Malatang, which     5     (literal) means spicy and hot, the local dish is popular for its large portion of skewered meat, vegetables,     6     hand-made potato noodles in a pot of boiling broth (肉汤).

Two food bloggers, with over 3 million followers in their account on the popular Chinese Weibo,     7     (be) among the influencers praising the deliciousness of Tianshui Malatang. Their vlogs show eager food enthusiasts lining up on the streets, many of     8     traveled from cities far away.

Dong Liangyan, 29, from Daqing in Heilongjiang province,     9     (locate) more than 2,000 km away from Tianshui, told Xinhua that she was absolutely delighted     10     (enjoy) the local delicacy.

Jiangsu, known for its unique blend of innovation and preservation, is a true treasure. I was     1     (incredible) fortunate to journey through the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, both of which left me fascinated with their true impressiveness and eagerly     2     (long) to explore further.

My first stop was Suzhou.     3     (engage) myself in the local industrial atmosphere, I chose a hotel in the “industrial park”,     4     the coexistence of advanced manufacturing and natural beauty was most evident, as it was situated on the edge of a scenic lake, embraced by a vibrant landscape. As I adventured into the heart of the city, the Old Town’s ancient waterways led me on an     5     (explore) of history, and the classical gardens offered a glimpse into a     6     (story) past. However, what truly amazed me was the “energy of Suzhou” represented by its people who have enormous respect for their city’s time-honored history as well as     7     innovative eye on the future.

Actually, the mindset of modernization with deep respect for the past isn’t only unique to Suzhou     8     an indicative factor of Nanjing. High-rises decorate the city’s skyline, creating a distinct contrast     9     the ancient neighborhoods, temples, and buildings that     10     (occupy) previously by people. I never anticipated my expectations would be blown out of the water by “A tale of two cities”.

Walking in the hutongs (alleyways) of Beijing, if you see a residential compound (建筑群) with a courtyard enclosed by the surrounding houses and walls on the four sides,     1     is called a “Siheyuan” (quadrangle dwellings) .

The size of a Siheyuan was affected by the    2     (household) social status, which was reflected in the gate as well. Some gates were painted red, while others had door nails,     3    decorated with stone blocks and brass ring door knockers.

Facing inward toward the courtyard, the surrounding houses are mostly occupied by different members of a large family. The senior members usually live in the main house     4    the north, which has good lighting and temperature all year round, while the younger generations would live in other wings by     5     (senior). The whole Siheyuan forms a self-contained environment for the family, creating a     6     (harmony) atmosphere.

Influenced by urbanization and social changes, some courtyard houses     7       (pull) down, Siheyuan becomes a precious memory of the old Beijing city. And those courtyard houses preserved are often endowed with modern features. The houses     8     (maintain) the original layout, architects have renovated the house and added modern living equipment     9     (adapt) the traditional buildings for contemporary uses.

The design of the residential area of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Village was inspired by Siheyuan. The 20 apartment buildings, arranged in a special way that create s enclosed and open spaces,     10     (surround) six courtyards, which shows a perfect integration of the Olympic culture and the traditional Beijing culture.

The Grand Tang Mall in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, offers a fascinating experience that transports visitors back to the Tang Dynasty. Even after 10 p. m. on weekdays, the pedestrian area comes alive     1    vibrant lights and lively music. The main street    2     (line) with Tang-style pavilions, and people dressed in traditional Chinese attire (服装) can be seen     3     (leisure) strolling.     4     sets this modern recreation apart is a series of outdoor performances     5     (feature)cultural elements from the Tang Dynasty presented in a contemporary way. Onstage, acclaimed Tang Dynasty poets,     6     (play) by actors, engage visitors in conversations about ancient Chinese poetry. Within a compact area, captivating musicals and dance performances blend traditional and contemporary elements, providing an     7     (impress) cultural experience. These interactive events     8     (become) the city’s tourism highlight, attracting     9    daily average of 300, 000 tourists to the Grand Tang Mall since June.

Inspired by the glamour of the Tang Dynasty, the Grand Tang Mall continues to create new productions    10    showcase the era’s poetry and art performances. With over 20 regular programs, each lasting 10 minutes, visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good view of these popular shows.

The revitalization (复苏) of abandoned properties in rural China is on the rise. Each     1     (locate) in remote Chinese towns, the following three striking hotels are far from the hustle of the city.

WuYuan Skywells Hotel in Jiangxi province, a previously neglected 300-year-old mansion, was     2     (incredible) restored to its former glory, while maintaining its regional architectural feature Tianjing, a narrow and tall courtyard pulling sunlight inside,     3     introducing elements of modern comfort.

Similarly, by the end of 2022, designers     4     (restore) the Bamboo Craft Village near Chengdu city, preserving the construction traditions to build an extremely     5     (impress) roof. Seen from above, the shape of this building is like a figure “8” or the infinity sign “∞”.

The Treewow Tribe in Zhejiang province     6     (feature) houses that are surrounded by a sea of bamboo trees to provide tourists     7     comfortable privacy. Notably, the free-form roof imitates the free-flowing lines of nature, gracefully     8     (invite) the green landscape into the private space.

Marrying the charm of traditional Chinese designs and the     9     (rich) of modern living, these hotels will definitely offer you     10     unforgettable experience and a perfect getaway.

As Shaoxing is a water town, the unique transport named Wupeng boat     1    (emerge) in this particular location in the Tang Dynasty. Wupeng boat, a Chinese gondola, also     2     (know) as black awning (雨篷) boat, got its name from    3    dark colour of its awning. There are straw mats for people to sit and lie on board. As the space is rather small, the boat may lose balance or even turn over if passengers stand on it. Each boat can hold about four persons. It is run by human power,     4     is another typical fact about this boat.

Wupeng boat has now become the symbol of Shaoxing. The famous Chinese writer Lu Xun mentioned this boat in many of his    5     (publication) because floating in a Wupeng boat is not only part of his childhood but also people’s life in Shaoxing. The breeze and     6     (cool) of water in summer would bring you a pleasant outdoor experience. Thus, the best time to ride Wupeng boats in Shaoxing is from March to September. But other months would be a good option for experiencing it     7     fewer travelers around.

Wupeng boats in different spots around the city have various routes.You can     8    (careful) choose and appreciate the historical     9    cultural old town on the small boat. Once you get to Shaoxing, find one of the few Wupeng boat ports, and ask what route they follow     10     (make) sure you see the attractions from your wish list.