2 . The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was established in 1958, which has many famous tourist attractions.

Shapotou, Zhongwei

Shapotou scenic zone, 16 kilometers west of Zhongwei County in the northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has become a must-see for tourists who visit Ningxia. Wang Wei, a famous poet in ancient China, recorded the beauty of Shapotou in a poem on a mission to the frontier.

The park has many activities on offer, which include drifting on the Yellow River and sliding from a sand dune.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: May to early October

Ticket Price: 80 yuan ($11.7)

Half Price:

①Minors between the ages of 7 and 18;

②Full-time university bachelor or junior degree students with a registered student ID card.

Shahu Lake, Shizuishan

Shahu Lake, one of the top 10 destinations for holidays in Shizuishan city, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China, is surrounded by large marshlands(沼泽) and desert, and is known as the “pearl of the desert” along the Silk Road. The location of the 1995 movie A Chinese Odyssey attracts many visitors.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: May to early October

Ticket Price: 50 yuan ($7.32)

Half Price:

①Minors between the ages of 7 and 18;

②Full-time university bachelor or junior degree students with a registered student ID card.

Mingcui Lake National Wetland Park, Yinchuan

Nfingcui Lake National Wetland Park is perhaps the best ecological wetland in China. It is the first national wetland park of the Yellow River Basin. The first established and expanding water and land sports base in the northwest integrates outdoor training, science education, leisure and fishing.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: March to May

Ticket Price: 40 yuan ($5.9)

HalfPrice: Full-time university bachelor or junior degree students with a registered student ID card.

Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio, Yinchuan

Zhenbeipu Western Film Studio, located in Yinchuan city, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has produced many world-famous films, one of which is Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum.

Zhenbeipu functioned as a frontier in the Ming Dynasty, but today, the studio has become a tourism destination fully integrating sightseeing, entertainment, relaxation, dining and shopping.

Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA

Ideal Sightseeing Season: Late April to early October

Ticket Price: 80 yuan ($11.7)

Half Price: Full-time university bachelor or junior degree students with a roistered student ID card.

Kanas is a Mongolian word     1    (mean) “beautiful and mysterious lake”. Kanas Lake is China’s deepest freshwater lake famous for its picturesque view, and home to 798 species of plants and 117 varieties of birds.     2    (surround) by snow-capped mountains and heavy forest, Kanas Lake in Burqin takes on different colors in different seasons.

Kanas Lake lies in the northern part of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 150 kilometers away from Burgin County. The lake water     3    (come) from the melting water of the mountains such as Kuitun Peak and Friendship Peak. The best time     4    (visit) the Kanas Lake is in June and September. In June, flowers bloom and trees turn green and everything are full     5     energy. The flowers are at their best and Kanas looks like     6     ocean of flowers. In September, Kanas enters the pure golden season.     7    (natural), this is also the best time for photography.

Winter operation period (October 16 — April 30) is a perfect     8    (choose) for visitors with limited budgets. Kanas does not close the mountain in winter, in     9     scenic spots are open for business. Visitors will see the fairyland — like original snowy scenery. Kanas will also host five major theme     10    (activity), namely, Snow and Ice Festival, Snow Carnival, Winter Ice and Snow Photography Season, Snowboard Invitational, Snow Sculpture Invitational.

5 . 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 . How to see London like a pro

We’ve explored London thoroughly and come away with quite a few lessons. Here are our tips.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

Being London’s most iconic landmark, this grand 775-room building is where Queen Elizabeth hosts feasts and meets heads of state. But if you’re dreaming of taking a visit to it, you’ll need to plan your trip carefully. The palace is typically only open during the summer months from July 23rd to October 3rd. Visiting hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you’re visiting when the palace isn’t available to tour, you can still see the Changing of the Guard.

Hitting the London Eye

The London Eye is a playful addition to the city skyline. Standing near centuries-old architecture, this enormous Ferris wheel goes round slowly over the left bank of the Thames, serving up views over the London Bridge and the Shard to the west, plus a wide perspective of the Palace of Westminster. Buy your tickets in advance online, choose a clear day and go first thing in the morning to avoid crowds peak.

Drinking afternoon tea

Afternoon tea—a sacred, buttery ritual (仪式)—is reason enough to come to London. The British have taken a simple tea break and turned it into a luxurious ceremony, complete with patterned china, layered plates of finger sandwiches and scones in cream and jam. And we haven’t mentioned the cakes, which are often brought around on a wheeled cart. When making a reservation, remember that afternoon tea isn’t a snack but a full meal with sweet and salty elements, and you’ll be stuffed. The smart move is to skip lunch and maybe even dinner.

10 . Stone Mountain

Basic Information

Stone Mountain, Georgia, is the world’s largest exposed piece of granite (花岗岩). It is a rock of 7.5 billion cubic feet and it’s just a half-hour drive from Atlanta. But it’s not just the size of the mountain that attracts people to visit. Stone Mountain’s impressive feature is the Confederate Memorial Carving. Three heroes from the Civil War have been carved into the rock: Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E.Lee, and General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. The huge sculptures are surrounded by a carved surface that covers three acres.

How to Visit

Stone Mountain can be visited by taking a cable car ride up the north face. Brave tourists can hike along various paths to get closer to the amazing mountain. A visit to the top uncovers rock pools and views of downtown Atlanta that seems close enough to touch.

What to Visit

Located just outside the park’s west gate is Historic Stone Mountain Village. The village was established in 1839 and offers more than 50 specialty shops and restaurants. Tourists can visit antique (古董) stores as well as shop for art and jewelry created by local artisans.

Detailed Visiting Information

Address: U.S.Highway 78 E., Exit 8, Stone Mountain, GA

Telephone: 770/498-5690 or 800/401-2407

Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm (due to COVID-19)

Admission: $8 per car