1 . Once home to kings and queens, palaces were built not only to act as royal residences (皇家官邸), but to project power. Due to their artistic, cultural and historical value, palaces now make for some of the most popular tourist attractions and museums around. Let’s get close to the most famous four.

Since it was built in 1406, the Forbidden City has been the center of Beijing, as well as China. Protected by a high wall, the palace holds some 980 different buildings. These show lots of amazing Chinese palatial (宫殿式的) architecture, of which the Hall of Supreme Harmony and Palace of Heavenly Purity are must-see sights. Now it has become the Palace Museum and visitors can enjoy various artworks there.

Once the living place of the Russian tsars (沙皇), the Winter Palace now houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Built in an Elizabethan Baroque style, its seemingly never-ending green and white walls are said to house over 1.500 rooms, with each of them beautifully decorated. The size of the palace, not to mention the beautiful art and architecture on show, perfectly shows the power of Imperial Russia.

Located on the top of a mountain, Alhambra has long been one of the best-known and recognizable palaces on Earth. Built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th century, the palace proudly exhibits lots of delicate(精美的) Andalusian architecture, with unique designs and patterns wherever you look. Walking around its gardens is enjoyable, and it will leave you a deep impression.

Although Versailles started out as a hunting shelter, it was turned into one of the grandest palaces under Louis XIV. The Sun King decorated and enlarged it, eventually turning it into his royal residence and these at of his government. Many precious artworks were removed and placed in the Louvre following the French Revolution. Now, many repairs have seen the palace returned to its former glory.

4 . From displays of budding local creative minds to famous artists, airports are stepping up their game to share more of what their city is known for within the terminal. Visit our site and the most surprising, engaging, and inspiring art museums within an airport are just a click away.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Ancient Greece travels to you when you arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Before security, travelers can explore 172 pieces of archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic and Early Helladie to the Post-Byzantine period. Some of the pieces were actually uncovered during the construction of the airport. Even those not traveling through the airport can explore the displays thanks to an online 3D gallery.

Doha Hamad Airport

Social media enthusiasts have surely seen people posing for photos with the famous yellow “Lamp Bear” inside Doha Hamad Airport. You’ll also find 10 other giant statues and displays within the terminal. These include “A Message of Peace to the World,” a striking sculpture honoring the work of a local nonprofit organization, Reach out to Asia, that supports education in underprivileged Asian countries. The carefully-selected art on display is a cooperation between the airport and Qatar Museums.

Seoul Incheon Airport

Beyond traditional pieces of art, Seoul Incheon Airport takes things a step further by offering interactive experiences and classes for travelers. Within the airport is a branch of the National Museum of Korea exhibiting many pieces from its collection. There are rotating (轮流的) exhibits that allow frequent travelers to see a different selection of local artifacts and art pieces on different visits. There are traditional music concerts, ancient relic exhibitions and contemporary art displays.

Singapore Changi Airport

You may have seen the famous Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore with its garden-enveloped waterfall. It is part of a larger shopping complex that encourages visitors, including those that are not traveling. Besides, there is other museum - quality art to explore like magnificent sculptures suspended from the ceiling, paintings lining the walls and even a rotating propeller (螺旋桨) that looks like a blossoming flower.

5 . Alaska has much to offer travelers in the winter months. Even better, hotel rates can run half what they do in summer, making Alaska an affordable vacation destination.

Northern Lights Viewing

Witness one of the most spectacular lights shows around when you make time for Alaska in the winter months. Book a photography workshop or snowmobile tour in Fairbanks for excellent aurora (极光) viewing. Alternatively, head to Denali National Park for a stay at the five-room boutique hotel. Sheldon Chalet. Enjoy heli-skiing and snowshoeing by day followed by entrancing aurora viewing by night.

Alaska Railroad

In winter, book a trip on the Aurora Winter Train for a bucket list-worthy adventure into Alaska’s snow-covered backcountry, Ride the train all the way from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Or, get off the train along the way in Talkeetna for cross-country skiing and a berry delicious pie-making class at Talkeetna Roadhouse.

Wintry Zoo Animals

The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage is a true delight in winter. That’s when you can see the state’s native animals, like bears, moose and wolves, in their natural winter habitat. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Alaska Zoo boasts up-close views and interactions with more than 100 animals, Say hello to the zoo’s newest resident, Cranbeary, a 17-year-old polar bear that relocated from Denver last year.

Snowshoe Tours

Trekking through knee-deep fluffy snow in snowshoes can be loads of fun. Try your skills on a guided snowshoe tour in Fairbanks with Leaf Out Nature Guides. Led by expert biologists, the outfitter runs two-hour snowshoe tours. Guests venture into the boreal forest of Alaska’s interior. keeping a keen eye open to spot wildlife, like snowshoe hares, caribou and flying squirrels. Snowshoers are treated to expert knowledge on animal tracks. how animals survive in the harsh winter and how local plants are used.

8 . In Paris, you only need to see the Louvre, right? Wrong! There’s so much more to see in one of the world’s greatest cities for arts and culture! In this article, discover the best museums to visit in Paris.

Louis Vuitton Foundation

The architecture of this building alone makes a visit worth it. The building was designed by famous architect Frenk Gehry. There are works of art by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ellsworth Kelly, Olafur Eliasson, Gilbert & George, Jeff Koons, and many others. The admission ticket costs€16.

Hours: Mon-Sat, 10:00 am-6:00 pm (closed Sundays)

Paris Museum of Modern Art

The museum has a few huge works of art and a ton of other eye-catchers. It is technically free to visit, but they ask for a non-mandatory (非强制性的) donation of €5 to see the permanent artworks.

Hours: Tues—Sun, 10:00 am—6:00 pm (closed Mondays)

Musée National Picasso-Paris

The museum is home to thousands of Picasso works. Unlike the Rodin Museum, which contains works from many artists, the Picasso Museum keeps its collection closely tied to the master. The admission ticket costs€14.

Hours: Tues—Fri,10:00 am—6:30 pm; Sat and Sun, 9:30 am—6:00 pm (closed Mondays)

Musée Marmottan Monet

Similar to the Picasso Museum, the Monet Museum is mostly about Monet. The museum is only what it is today thanks to Michel Monet’s famous donation of his father’s remaining works of art. Admissions will run you from€9 to€14.

Hours: Tues—Sun,10:00 am—6:00 pm, late nights on Thursdays until 9:00 pm (closed Mondays).

My friend and I went on an exciting trip from Shanghai to Mount Wu gong in Jiangxi Province. The place     1     (know) for its extraordinary beauty, ancient culture, and a special mountain peak—the Golden Peak,     2     stands an old temple.

Mount Wugong is really high—2,000 meters above the sea, making it tough     3     (climb) up. Luckily, there are small shops along the way, so we could get snacks and drinks.

We made it to the top at sunset. It was     4     (incredible) amazing—golden clouds flowing down the mountain,     5     (explain) why it’s called the Golden Peak.We felt like we were thinking the same thoughts as people from ancient China. At night, we     6     (lie) under the stars, feeling the history of the place.

The next morning, I woke up just in time for the most     7     (wonder) sunrise ever —something that will stick in my memory forever. Afterwards, we explored     8     old temple on top of the mountain, which showed us how Chinese people connected nature with spiritual things.

Mount Wugong offered us not only an unforgettable adventure, but also a real insight     9     the depths of Chinese culture, history and the enduring bond between humanity     10     the natural world.