Hot pot, as a traditional Chinese folk dish,     1     (become) a favorite dish throughout China since at least the Han Dynasty,     2     is particularly true during winter months. There are different     3     (style) of hot pot with differently flavored thick soup in China, from spicy hot pot in Sichuan, seafood-based hot pot in Guangdong to mutton hot pot in Hong Kong. No matter what your     4     (prefer) is, Chinese hot pot has something to interest you.

The spicy hot pot featured in Sichuan is probably the most famous among the native Chinese. When     5     (visit) Chongqing, you will have     6     opportunity to taste authentic (真正的) Chinese hot pot. Chongqing hot pot is known as má là (“numb and spicy”) due     7     the inclusion of Sichuan peppers and is unique in the types of meat and the types of sauce     8     (use) for its base.

Though the flavor of Chinese hot pot varies from region to region, the dining customs are similar. Hot pot is     9     (typical) served in a metal bowl at the center of the dining table. As the soup in the pot is cooked at almost boiling point, the ingredients (原料)     10     (add) into the boiling thick soup. The ingredients can vary from thinly-sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, potatoes, and cabbage, to seafood, fish balls and tofu.

The Forbidden City, the Palace Museum, which     1     （be）once the Chinese imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties（1368-1911）, lies in the city center of Beijing. It is the     2     （large）, best-preserved ancient timber-built palace complex in the world.

Built between 1406 and 1420, the Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors and their families. It acted     3     the ceremonial and political center of ancient Chinese government throughout 500 years.

Rectangular in shape, the Forbidden City,     4     covers an area of 72 hectares, is not only an enormous architectural masterpiece, but also a museum housing a unique collection of 1.8 million pieces of art, including ancient calligraphy works, Chinese     5     （painting）and ancient books.

As     6     popular tourist site, the Forbidden City is the world's most visited museum. And it is possible     7     （visit）the Forbidden City and appreciate the precious     8     （culture）heritage of China in half to one day. You     9     （recommend）to tour the major palaces along the central axis； if you have interest in     10     （explore）more on the west and east wings, a whole day would be enough for a thorough visit.