1 . In Yakutia, Siberia, temperatures drop to as low as -71℃. It is actually one of the coldest places on earth. Located a few hundred miles outside the Arctic Circle, The Republic of Sakha, also known as Yakutiya or Yakut-Sakhat, is now the largest republic in Russia.

Fur(毛皮) hats and thick coats are surely required. Thick fur boots, gloves, and anything else to avoid frostbite is highly encouraged.

People of Yakutia are so used to the cold that they even have an open air market where they can shop for meat and fish. The best part is that they don’t need those huge freezers to keep the meat. Sellers remain outdoors for the entire day in the freezing winds.

And if you think there’s no way to have fun in such a tough environment, think again. They love ice fishing and ice swimming. They actually take off all their clothes and put on their swimwear before swimming in the freezing waters.

It’s so cold outside that some people don’t need freezers anymore. Pipes are left outside as well since they cannot be laid out under the ground because of the hard soil. Other people make do with blocks of ice that they cut from the rivers for free water. Toilet duties are handled outside. Just be sure to do everything quickly.

It’s not always freezing as summer can hit +40℃ though it is short and dry. It is among the coldest cities in the world. Visitors need to do a lot of research and preparations before spending a few days in Yakutia, though it certainly is an interesting place to experience!

2 . Breathtaking Must-See Alaskan Parks, Preserves and Landmarks

Aniakchak

National Monument & Preserve, King Salmon, AK

This frighteningly beautiful park is home to a 6-mile-wide caldera(火山喷口) formed over 3,500 years ago. Because of bad weather and rough path, however, it’s one of the least visited locations in the National Park System With only 134 recorded visits in 2014.

Alagnak

Wild River, King Salmon, AK

Take in the scenic views of the beautiful Alaska Peninsula as you go across the rough waters of the Alagnak Wild River. With an almost untouched landscape, Alagnak is home to a high number of brown bears and is famous for an abundance of prized sportfish, making it the most popular fishing destination in southwest Alaska.

Denali

National Park & Preserve, Denali Park, AK

Founded in 1917, Denali National Park (formerly Mount McKinley National Park) was the world’s first national park established to conserve wildlife. Features of the park include six million acres of untouched terrain, an abundance of wildlife such as grizzlies and caribou and the highest peak in North America at 6,193 meters: Denali.

Bering Land Bridge

National Preserve, Nome, AK

The first settlers of the Americas travelled not by boat, but by foot from modern-day Asia by way of the Bering Land Bridge. Once home to mastodons, mammoths(猛犸象) and other ice age animals, what remains of this ancient “bridge” now houses a thriving(兴旺的) Alaska population and offers insight into the day-to-day lives of prehistoric humans.

At a height of 556.36 meters, Heavenly Jin restaurant in Shanghai was certified by the Guinness World Records as the     1     (high) restaurant in a building on Tuesday.     2     previous record holder was AT. MOSPHERE restaurant in Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

    3     (locate) on the 120th floor of Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China, Heavenly Jin is part of J Hotel, a     4     (lead) high-end hotel brand in travel and hospitality (服务). Last Tuesday, Guinness World Records judicator Maggie Luo     5     (confirm) the result before issuing a certificate and uncovering a plaque (匾额) at a ceremony on Tuesday.

“This record is     6     great significance to us. The height of the restaurant is proof of the dedication of the Heavenly Jin management and operational teams,” said Jenny Zhang, general manager of J Hotel Shanghai Tower. “We welcome     7     (guest) from all over the world with a higher level experience above the clouds. Apart from the fantastic views of the Shanghai skyline, the restaurant also offers European, Japanese and Chinese cuisines for lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea.     8     you see and feel here will leave an unforgettable     9     (impress) on you. All of you will find it a good chance to relax as well as entertain     10     (you).”

6 . Amazing lost places around the world

Kolmanskop

Once the richest town in Africa, today Kolmanskop is sinking into the Namibian desert. The discovery of diamonds here around 100 years ago caused this remote place to experience a boom (繁荣), and in no time at all, an entire town reveal itself out of the sand. Not only was there a hospital, a power plant and a theatre, but also an ice factory and a swimming pool—all in the middle of the desert!

The Aniva lighthouse

Built by the Japanese on a small island between Japan and Russia, the Aniva lighthouse and its island went to the Russians after the Second World War. Though dynamic once, the seven-storey building has lain abandoned for years. Where once noisy diesel (柴油) generators kept the machinery running, today there’s only the sound of waves hitting the rocks.

Houtouwan

Houtouwan on Shengshan Island was once home to around 2,000 fishermen and their families. Today most of the people you meet in this Chinese village are tourists. The majority of the inhabitants (居民) left for the mainland in the early 1990s. Reasons for the near total abandonment include shortage of food delivery.

The Igloo Hotel

This resort has never seen a paying guest! The Igloo Hotel in Alaska, US was primarily meant to attract visitors from the nearby Denali National Park. However, the builder didn’t observe official building regulations and also chose a location that was too remote, so the hotel was never completed. The half-finished building however, continues to suffer wind and weather a half a century later.

7 . If you were to rate the most walkable cities in the world, what would you look for? Would it be how shaded the sidewalks are? How many benches there are along the way to your destination? Or maybe how close you are to shops or local attractions?

Well, the researchers at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), located in New York. US, wanted to know which of the world’s cities were the best for pedestrians (行人). So, they did just that.

To determine which cities were the most walkable, they rated cities based on factors such as how close citizens were to car-free areas like public parks, how close citizens lived in relation to schools and hospitals, and how short their journeys were overall.

According to the study, they found that the most walkable cities in the world are London, Paris, Bogota and Hong Kong. Overall, London was at the top of the list, outranking (超过) nearly 1, 000 cities around the world on these key factors.

“In order to provide safety and inviting walking conditions for all city residents, it is essential to shift the balance of space in our cities away from cars, providing more travel options for people,” CEO of ITDP Heather Thompson told the magazine Cities Today. She continued, “We have so much to gain-from cleaner air to better health to stronger local economies and deeper bonds within communities, and we all need that now more than ever. ”

Unfortunately, it seems that very few cities make pedestrians a priority, though.

“Our city streets across the planet are already full of cars. If you really want to see the worst for walkability, it is the really sprawling (杂乱无序伸展的) cities of the US, ” commented Taylor Reich, a research associate at ITDP and the primary author of the guide to making cities more walkable.

So, what can cities do to make their streets friendlier for pedestrians?

“There’s no one secret sauce; there’s no one thing you can do to make a city walkable, ” Reich said. “It’s many decisions that are made at all levels from individual streets all the way up to the city design.”

9 . Packing Tips for Travel

Packing smart and light is quite necessary for a comfortable trip. Light baggage ensures trouble-free travel. Here are some essential packing tips to help you enjoy your travel.

Regular use/handy items. Regular use or your personal handy items need to be taken instantly or separated from the luggage whenever required.     1    . And then start packing them after clothes and valuables. Include some useful items such as ear drops, eye masks, medicines, a small towel, and scissors (less than 6 inches).

Vacuum(真空) and space bags. It is not surprising that the entire packaging may be done just with vacuum bags, space bags, and plastic bags. Being airtight and waterproof, these bags provide great room for storage. They can fit in stuff three to four times greater than conventional bags.     2    .

Family packing tips. Often those travelling with kids tend to believe that they might require a whole range of products for their kids.     3    . Try to carry only the essential items and leave the rest that can be bought outside. You can download apps for kids that do not require the Internet connection. This will keep them engaged on the route without carrying a range of toys.

    4    . When it comes to clothing for women, having a choice of common colors is great, as they can mix and match outfits. A set of lightweight tops and jeans is ideal for both indoor and outdoor. Bring a set of waist coats, long sleeves, and pants for formal wears.     5    , as they tend to be heavy. Instead, try fashionable sneakers, which give good comfort to your feet.

Following these tips will help you in managing your travel in an efficient way. Enjoy your trip! Bon Voyage!