2 . 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!

3 . 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.

6 . Tourism is travelling for pleasure or to enjoy yourself away from the place you live. In the last few decades tourism has grown very much, mostly because people s lifestyles have changed.     1     They spend more money on travelling than previous generations did. Travelling has also become cheaper and more affordable. The rise of budget airlines has made it possible to afford trips to faraway countries.

People have been travelling for pleasure since ancient times. In ancient Egypt, religious festivals attracted people from the whole Nile Valley.     2     Romans travelled to Greece, Sicily and other places in the empire. Wealthy Romans had second homes near the sea where they spent the summer.

In the 19th century the invention of the steam engine made it possible for people to travel by boat and train. Regular passenger services from Europe to America started in the 20th century.     3     In the 1960s going on holidays by plane became affordable for many.

    4     In many countries it is the most important largest source of income. Global tourism is growing at a rate of 4% a year. The tourist industry provides jobs and brings a country foreign currencies. Many groups profit from tourism: travel agencies, store owners, airports and airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc.

In the past years there has been a trend towards shorter holiday breaks during the year. People like to take a few days off to travel. The internet has changed the way people organize their holidays.     5    

We only have nine days in Xinjiang. It’s     1     huge province, bordering eight countries and is impossible to     2     (full) explore in such a short time.

Our next stop, is Turpan—one of the world’s     3     (low) basins. The fast train from Uruqmi takes 1.5 hours     4     (reach) Turpan. It travels fast past vast wind farms in the red desert, but also oil and gas fields, a     5     ( remind) of why Xinjiang is so important to China.

In Turpan, an amazing karez(坎儿井) irrigation system has channeled water from the mountains for hundreds of years,     6     (keep) this desert oasis(绿洲) very fertile. Tourism hasn’t exactly caught on yet. When I ask to buy a bottle of the red wine     7     (produce) here, our host directs us to the local supermarket.

The boiling hot desert outside of Turpan is home     8       the remains of ancient towns long ago swallowed and kept by the sand.

As the temperature climbs to 38℃, we find Tuyoq, one of the few existing ancient villages,     9     the mud-built homes appear hidden against the sandy landscape. Only a green round roof can be seen. Outside one of the mud homes     10     (stand) a sign: “Former residence of Albert Von.”