1 . Do you know how to cycle? It is a skill that, once learned, is never forgotten. For the majority of us, the art of balancing on two wheels was mastered during our childhood. Many still wear helmets, put feet on the pedals, and take a ride around the streets. And in recent years, cycling has become more and more popular. What attracts people to ride their bikes once again?

Cycling offers a lot of advantages that affect both our physical and mental health. For example, regular cycling can improve the function of our cardiovascular (心血管的)system, assist in the burning of extra body fat and strengthen our leg muscles. A long ride in the countryside helps us to clear our mind easily.

Riding a bike is a smart choice for getting to work, shopping, or sightseeing. You can save money that you would otherwise spend on fuels and fares. Unlike cars that struggle with parking, bikes can be easily locked up. Then, on the train, there are chances at stations and other people speaking loudly on their phones. Cyclists face neither of these problems. And if we’re worried about safety, there are cycle lanes in many cities, or we can wear light-colored clothes to improve our safety when cycling on the roads.

Cycling can also be good for the environment. It cuts our carbon footprint, which means we make less pollution. It’s great for our planet and keeps the air clean around us. When we ride bikes, we don’t use fuel like cars do, and that’s really good for our environment.

Therefore, more and more people choose to ride for many benefits such as improving their health, easily going to work, saving money, protecting the environment, or a combination of these factors.

2 . Four Brilliant Art and Craft Books

If you are into art and craft, there are four brilliant books for you to choose from. Practise your artistic skills, whether you want to draw comics or sew a cushion.

This book is packed with inspiring and exciting ideas for using nature in your artwork.

Discover how earth can be used to make paints and how flowers can create ink. You can also find out ways to add natural materials into your artistic creations using print-making. This Book Will Make You an Artist by Ruth Millington.

Take inspiration from artistic masters like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Yayoi Kusama with this fun book, which introduces you to 25 different artistic techniques inspired by the work of world-famous artists. Full of information and ideas, it’s a great way to learn more about a wide range of different artists and their styles.

If you love comic books, then why not try creating one of your own? This guide to creating a vivid novel combines technical advice with creative inspiration. Plus you’ll find interview s with famous comic creators.

Try your hand at simple sewing projects, such as felt flowers or a patchwork cushion. Step-by-step instructions and photographs make it easy to learn a whole range of different techniques, including crochet and embroidery (刺绣).

3 . As a Chinese who travels to Shanghai frequently, here is my suggested list of the top four things to do in Shanghai.

Admire the Bund

The Bund is the most famous and attractive sight there. The best time to admire the Bund is after dark when all the buildings are lit up, creating an extremely colorful and breathtaking scene. There are lots of sightseeing boats that let you view the beautiful Bund every night. Make sure to go on one of these boats. But you are not able to take good photos by boat.

Pay a visit to the Nanjing Road

Even if you are not a shop-lover, please spare an hour to visit Shanghai’s premier shopping street—Nanjing Road. There are upper-class department stores within 1920s-style buildings, along with world-famous brands and restaurants. This place is ideal to shop for authentic (真正的) Shanghainese snacks and souvenirs. If you don’t want to walk, a trackless sightseeing train only costs three yuan.

Take the Maglev Train

Take the Shanghai Maglev Train from Pudong International Airport to the Lujiazui financial district. The Maglev has a regular service speed of 430 km/h and is the fastest railway system in commercial operation in the world. This 30 km ride takes about eight minutes and 50 yuan one way, and 80 yuan for a round trip.

Taste the Hairy Crabs

Do a crab feast! Food hunting is important for most of the travelers. Shanghai’s cuisine is famous and hairy crabs are what you must eat there. However, hairy crabs are seasonal. If you go between September and November, it is the best time to not only enjoy hairy crabs, but a crab feast.

5 . The summer holiday is coming! Do you want to have a wonderful and meaningful vacation? If you are interested in animals and nature, come and join us!

Youth Explorer has prepared you with a Three-Day-Program! You can take part in many activities and meet with animals — lions, monkeys, tigers and so on! More information about the program is as follows:

Age: Students aged 10 to 15.

Groups: Two programs for you to choose. Each program needs at most 15 students.

Program cost: $200 for members; $230 for non-members.

How to do: Simply come to our center to get an application form.

Send your completed form to us before July 10th.

Notes:

No free lunch is offered. You may either bring box lunch or pay for lunch at our restaurants.

Both programs will start 1 DAY later if there is a warning of rainstorms.