Education tourism has become popular among people of all ages in China. More than 6 million people joined study tours last year,    1     (high) even than the pre-pandemic number of 4.8 million in 2019.

Study travel date back to the Song and Ming dynasties,     2     many poets wrote of their experiences on study travels. China formed an industry for study travel during the period of reform and opening-up, which     3     (see) rapid development in the past decades. So far, students in primary and middle schools have been the main participants in education tourism.

The development of education tourism has promoted the social education of students, which has also played     4     important role in mixing culture and tourism.    5    , the nation’s education tourism still faces problems, such as having a weak connection with the national courses, and fewer practice     6     (opportunity) during trips.

Xu Huayu, president of Anhui Global Culture Tourism Group, said, “Many people     7     (involve) in education tourism are those who used to work for travel agencies, and some people just take it     8     a business. It’s necessary to produce more professional study travel guides     9     recruit(招募)talents to develop courses.”

“We also need a state-level standard     10     (help) us better set up recruiting requirements and training for employees,” he added.

5 . I’m studying English at a school in the UK at the moment and having a wonderful time, meeting new friends and getting to know the country. We have the chance to go on lots of trips and recently we visited the famous town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.     1     Our English teacher wanted us to do more than that.

Before we went, we prepared for the trip.     2     Some students did one on the environment, while another group wrote some questions about hobbies and interests. There were five groups altogether. I’m really interested in business studies and my group had questions to ask local businesspeople and shopkeepers.

We were there for the whole day and we all thought it would be best to do the research in the morning.     3     When we arrived in Stratford, each group went off around the town to ask local people their questions. It was really good fun. We had the chance to practice our English and the local people were very friendly and helpful. In fact, they told our teacher how polite they thought we all were.

Stratford is a lovely town and we spent the afternoon enjoying the sights. After lunch we looked around Holy Trinity Church, and of course we visited the house where the world’s most famous playwright was born and grew up.     4     I got home feeling tired but I had had a fantastic day out.

Besides being fun, it was a great way to practice our English, and not only because we were able to speak to local people.     5     We took it in turns to stand up and explain to the other groups what our questions were about and the things we found out. We all enjoyed it so much that we’re hoping to repeat it later in the year in a new location.

Deep in the heart of China’s Shandong Province sits Zibo, a city     1     (know) for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and of course, its mouthwatering barbecue. This local culinary delicacy (美食) has been delighting residents and tourists alike for generations. Zibo Barbecue, famous for its unique flavors and techniques,     2     (be) a must-try experience for food enthusiasts from around the world.

The grilling process is where the true magic of Zibo Barbecue     3     (lie). Skilled grill masters use a combination of traditional and modern techniques     4     (ensure) that the food is cooked to perfection. The secret is in the slow and steady cooking process,     5     allows the meat to become tender and juicy while absorbing the rich flavors of the marinades (腌料) and spices.

Zibo Barbecue wouldn’t be complete without an array of delicious side dishes to accompany the star of the show. From crisp and fresh vegetables     6     steamed bread and seasoned rice, there’s something to suit every kind of taste. And don’t forget to try the local specialty: Zibo cold noodles, a refreshing and flavorful treat that pairs     7     (perfect) with the bold flavors of barbecue.

Of course, no barbecue experience would be complete without a cold drink to wash it all down. In Zibo, local beer is a popular choice,     8     (provide) the perfect balance of crisp refreshment and hearty barbecue flavors.     9     lively atmosphere of Zibo’s barbecue restaurants adds to the overall experience, with friends and family gathered around to share in the feast.

Zibo Barbecue offers a unique and unforgettable experience. With     10     (it) mouthwatering meats, expert grilling techniques, and delicious accompaniments, it’s no wonder that this regional specialty has captured the hearts of food lovers everywhere.

8 . Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. A royal home and fortress (堡垒) for more than 900 years, it remains a working palace to this day, and is the official residence of The King.

What to see?

Your ticket to Windsor Castle allows entry to the State Apartments, decorated with the finest works of art in the Royal Collection. Spot masterpieces on display by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyck, Sèvres china and delicate English and French furniture. Admire Queen Mary’s Doll’s House—the largest dolls’ house in the world—and St. George’s Chapel, where Queen Elizebeth II was laid to rest in 2022.

The Moat Room gives an overview of the castle’s 950-year history, with three largescale bronze (青铜) models showing how the castle looked at different moments in time.

Time your visit for the Changing the Guard ceremony. It takes place at 11 am on select days throughout the year (weather permitting).

Tickets

Tickets must be booked in advance. Alternatively, book onto one of the many day trips to Windsor Castle that include entry to the castle plus stops at other attractions and towns, including Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Lacock, Salisbury and Hampton Court Palace.

If you’re short on time, join an afternoon coach tour from London to Windsor Castle, giving you enough time to look around before returning in the evening. You can even combine London’s two royal residences on a Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour.

Prices

Child ticket: £15.50

Young Person ticket: £18.00

Adult ticket: £28.00

Under 5s free. Discounts for families and groups of at least 15.

Opening Times

Monday, Thursday to Sunday.

March to October: 10 am to 5:15 pm (last admission 4 pm).

November to February: 10 am to 4:15 pm (last admission 3 pm).

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries (栖息地) has great     1     (important) for the conservation of the giant panda,     2     (recognize) as a “National Treasure” in China and an icon of     3    (globe) conservation efforts. It is the largest and most important remaining area of panda habitat in China and the world, consisting of seven nature reserves and nine scenic     4     (park).

In addition     5     the giant panda, the property features     6     great number of local and threatened species of plants and animals, including other iconic mammal species, such as the red panda and snow leopard. The property is an important center for some birds, 300 of     7     breed (繁殖) locally. Besides, the property is     8     (particular) important for plants,     9     (become) one of the botanically richest sites of any temperate (温带的) region in the world. The property is a major source and gene pool for hundreds of traditional medicinal plants, many now under threat. Because of its biodiversity and conservation of giant pandas, these reserves     10     (list) as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006.