3 . Travel Guide to Hangzhou, a Paradise on Earth

Hangzhou is now in the spotlight as the main host of the 19th Asian Games. The capital city of East China’s Zhejiang province, is one of the seven ancient capitals of China. Here are some highlights of the city you can't miss.

West Lake is definitely a place people can never miss when visiting Hangzhou. It is situated in the center of the city, with convenient public transport access. The Hangzhou government also offers free public bikes for tourists to travel around the lake. The parks around the lake are all free to visit.

Standing on Yuelun Hill, on the north bank of the tidal Qiantang River, the Six Harmonies Pagoda is another masterpiece built during the Wuyue Kingdom — this one designed to conquer flooding from the Qiantang River. The name Six Harmonies was given to characterize its purpose of restoring the balance between the heavens and earth, as well as north, south, east, and west.It was erected in the hope of combating the “evil” river’s tidal action. Today, the 13-storey pagoda commands a spectacular view of the Qiantang River.

Xixi, located less than five kilometers from West Lake in the west of Hangzhou, is China’s first national wetland park. Environmental degradation is threatening wetland worldwide, and more than half of the country's inter-tidal wetland has also vanished, which makes the 226 plant species, 50 kinds of fish and aquatic animals as well as 126 kinds of birds in Xixi even more valuable. Its native vegetation consists of subtropical mountainous swamp and evergreen and deciduous, broad-leafed forest.

On the south of West Lake, Leifeng Pagoda is considered the top scenic structure around West Lake due to its stunning silhouette in the glow of evening. For almost a thousand years the pagoda withstood fires and wars, but finally fell down in 1924.

The vast majority of areas and activities in the Kaibab National Forest are free to enjoy by the public. However, there are some fees for recreational (娱乐的) sites and activities such as campgrounds, cabin rentals and recreational vehicle facilities.

It covers the pass owner and three accompanying adults at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. Good for one year from the month of purchase. $80 for one year.

You must be 62 years of age or older to purchase. Passes are $20 for one year or $80 for a lifetime. An Interagency (跨部门的) Annual Pass can be used on many different federal lands across the nation.

It is awarded to those individuals who volunteer 250 hours at one or more recreational sites managed by 5 federal agencies as a way to say “thank you”! The Volunteer Pass is valid (有效的) for 12 months from the month of issuance.

This free pass is available to 4th Graders, 4th Grade Teachers, home school and free-choice learners 10 years of age. Good from Sept. to Aug. of your 4th Grade school year.

People who are living with disabilities can request this $10 lifetime pass. It can be used at many different federal lands across the nation.

For detailed information on fees associated with any Kaibab National Forest recreational site or activity, please visit its website and locate the specific site or activity of interest.

As you stroll through the Hangzhou Asian Games Village, one of the first things     1     catches your eyes is the neat street surface, which would swiftly become dry, almost     2     (magic), if a bottle of water were poured on. In reality,     3     phenomenon results from the well thought out urban planning and construction management employed in the “sponge city ”development of the village.

Sponge cities are a concept that aim to make cities more adaptable to environmental changes and better     4     (equip) to handle natural disasters. The city architects     5     (lay) out ecological sponge subunits based on rainwater collection zones for various uses like watering green areas and cleaning surfaces. This created an integrated system for organic rainwater circulation     6     (support) the green Asian Games. Additionally, they combined landscape design with low-impact development techniques to make the sponge city practical and visually     7     (appeal). For instance, the roads may look like rubber tracks,     8     are actually made of special concrete that lets water seep through(渗透), showing how they've made both function and beauty a     9     (combine).“This minimizes harm     10     the natural environment caused by urban development,”explained GengLei, a staff member at the Asian Games Village.

7 . Must see in Guangxi

A Broad Spectrum of Scenery

What you will find here is beyond towering mountains, dense forests, and picturesque scenery. This alpine (高山的) scenic spot spreads across 17,008 hectares, with over one-third being primeval (原始的) forest. Its natural landscape can be magnificent but quiet, special but elegant. The high humidity makes the sea of clouds a common scene here thanks to the mountain climate. And the scenery varies with the season. Here, you can appreciate splendid blossoms in spring, avoid summer heat in the cool canyon, step on red leaves scattered on the ground in autumn, and get stunned by the rime ice in winter.

A Hotel in Nature

Chaoranpai International Hotel is only 2 kilometers away from the Lijiang River Source Grand Canyon. By taking both the ecological design and standards of 5-star hotels into account, this hotel has integrated modern services and nature, especially bamboo. The hotel also offers entertainments such as go-carting, cosplay of counter strike, and Chinese-style tea houses. Besides, the mountain itself is like a natural oxygen bar.

A Heaven of Fauna and Flora

Mao’er   mountain is abundant in rare animals and plants. Inhabited by 2,484 species of plants and 345species of vertebrates, this place can serve as a natural gene bank. And surprisingly, a rare alpine wetland featuring

Two ways to get there

1. Take a train and get off at Xing’an Bei station, and take the shuttle bus that goes directly to the Mao’er mountain.

2. Take the Guilin-Xing’an bus from Guilin bus station, get off at Baizhupu station (Zibai Road Intersection), and take the shuttle from Baizhupu to Gaozhai, which is at the foot of the Mao’er mountain.

Travel Tips   

Entrance ticket:160 yuan for adults (half price for children under 12)

Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Recommended duration of visit:2-4 hours

Location: northwest of Xing’an county, Guilin

8 . New Zealand’s towering mountains, temperate rainforests and remote river valleys all fueled Sir Peter Jackson’s creative spirit when he was crafting (精心制作) the well-known films The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Let’s explore New Zealand, the real Middle-earth.

Start in Hobbiton

The journey starts from the exciting urban center of Auckland to Matamata—the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Your knowledgeable guide will help you fully understand the history and the on-location filming processes around The Shire.

Journey to Mordor

Experience wilderness in Tongariro National Park—an area known for its mountainous, desolate (荒凉的) beauty. This region was used as the location for some of the filming of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Stand among the greenest of forests

Dewy (带露水的) scenery and natural spectacles (壮观的景象) are New Zealand’s biggest draw-cards and a sure reason why the country was chosen as the home of Middle-earth. Explore this magical world of tall trees, clear rivers and sweet bird songs on a short walk or famous multi-day hike. From Cape Reinga all the way down to Bluff there are national parks covering the country.

Discover Earnslaw Burn and the Misty Mountains Pathway

One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit trilogy is Earnslaw Burn. Here you will find sheer (陡峭的) walls of granite (花岗岩) rising 800 meters from the basin floor, and a glacier (冰川) creating a number of waterfalls from its meltwater that spill down from the cliff-tops.