1 . Turf (草皮)has been used as a building material for thousands of years across Europe and the Arctic since the Neolithic period. In Iceland, these green-cloaked (绿色斗篷的)houses fit into the natural landscape, an architectural method that first appeared with the arrival of Norse and British settlers during the 9th through 11th centuries at the height of the Viking Age in Europe.

Across Europe, turf bricks were cut from local wetlands and often transported for use in higher places. The turf was then laid over a wood structure (结构物)to form walls and a thick roof from terrible northern climates. After the wetland plants died, dryland grasses grew over the roofs, providing further stability (稳定性). Turf walls were replaced as frequently as every 20 years, and in other regions, they could last up to 70 years.

Historic records suggest that up to 50 percent of Icelandic houses were partly made of turf until the late 19th century. As populations began to gather in cities like Reykjavik, wood buildings replaced stones and earth architecture. After fires burned up the city in 1915, concrete (水泥)became the material of choice. In 1918 Iceland gained independence from Denmark, bringing about a wave of nationalism that threatened the survival of turf houses. Traditional methods were considered as “rotten (腐朽的)Danish wood” from a troubled period, and there was a movement to clear them in favor of modern buildings—a move later criticized (批评)by many as destruction of cultural heritage.

A tourism rise in the latter half of the 20th century encouraged Iceland to reexamine the value of traditional architecture, and the Turf House Tradition of Iceland was called “UNESCO World Heritage status” in 2011. “The form and design of the turf house is an expression of the cultural values of the society and has adapted to the social and technological changes that took place through the centuries.”

5 . Dunhuang is the top tourist city in China. Its key points of interest and natural sights are shockingly beautiful and able to tug at one’s heart. The Pearl of the Silk Road, Dunhuang, opens her arms to welcome tourists from all over the world.

Mogao Caves

Located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang, Mogao Caves is regarded as the best Buddhist spot in China, perhaps in the whole world. The artistic features of the treasured Buddhist murals (壁画) represent perfectly the artistic style of the Northern Wei (386-543) Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties.

Yumenguan Pass

Situated 90 kilometers northwest of the city, the Yumen Pass was an important gateway to the western region in ancient times. Yumen Pass, Hecang Town and Han Great Wall (Han Dynasty) are the major sights in this area. Since the Yumen Pass is a distance from Dunhuang, one can have a feel of the desolation (荒凉) of western China.

Crescent (新月) Lake

Five kilometers southwest of the city, the Crescent Lake lies in the arms of Echoing-Sand Mountain, appearing clear and beautiful. The lake is crescent-shaped, hence the name. It’s surrounded by quicksand. Although it’s quite windy sometimes, the lake has never been covered by the sand. It’s really a marvelous scene in the desert.

Echoing-Sand Mountain

Five kilometers south of the city, Echoing-Sand Mountain is the accumulation of years of sand in the size of rice. Each time the wind blows, there is a sound from the mountain and when there is a breeze, the sound is like musical instruments, hence the name. The most marvelous experience is when after climbing to the top, although quite tough, one can slide down to the foot of the mountain, a wonderfully amusing experience!

I’m Li Hua. I wonder if you could give me some information about

Sincerely yours,

Li Hua

8 . Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.

AVOID BIG EVENTS

Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost £169.15 at Booking.com. A week later, the same room cost £118.15.

If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid — or you’re looking for a big event to pass your time — check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.

STAYAWAY FROM THE STATION

If traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.

Don’t be too choosy about the part of town you stay in. Booking two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge’s Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was £95.95. A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £75.75. And at Farringdon, a double room cost just £62.95.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

Really central hotels in cities such as London, Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune, especially at weekends and during big events. As an alternative consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings. A great example is the historic O’Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £420 for five days in late September, with room for four adults.

GET ON A BIKE

London’s ‘Boris bikes’ have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programmes that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.

Among the smaller cities with their own programmes are Newcastle (casual members pay around £1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day).