First-time     1     (visitor) to Chengdu, Sichuan province, may find it to be a city with rich cultural heritage.

They may notice the emblem of a circular gold leaf, featuring four flying birds     2     (surround) the sun, in many parts of the city — it is on the overpass of the People’s Road South leading     3     Shuangliu International Airport, on souvenirs in visitors’ destinations and on the TV screen when one tunes in to the Chengdu station.

The emblem,     4     represents Chengdu,     5     (choose) as the symbol of China Cultural Heritage by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2005.

A gold-leaf sunbird,     6     (believe) to be about 3,000 years old, was excavated from the Jinsha Ruins in Chengdu in 2001. The ruins were hailed as one of Sichuan’s most important archaeological finds after the     7     (discover) of the Sanxingdui Ruins in the city of Guanghan in 1929.

In 2018, Chengdu made the decision     8     (build) itself into a world cultural city.

In recent years, Chengdu’s efforts to globalize have been sped up,     9     a series of major international cultural and sports activities have been held, laying the foundation for it to build itself into a     10     (global) known tourist city, said Guo Degang, an official with the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio and Tourism.

3 . With visitor numbers around the world increasing towards pre-pandemic levels, the issue of overtourism is once again rearing its head. When locals in the charming Austrian lakeside village of Hallstatt staged a blockade(封锁)of the main access tunnel, asking visitors to “think of the children”, it highlighted what can happen when places start to feel overrun by tourists.

The term “overtourism” is relatively new, having been invented over a decade ago to highlight the increasing numbers of visitors taking a toll on cities, landmarks and landscapes. In essence, it is too many people in one place at any given time. There are the wide-reaching effects, such as climate change. Coral reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef and Maya Bay, Thailand are being degraded from visitors diving and touching the corals. More localized issues are affecting locals, too. Renters are being driven out by landlords in favour of turning properties into holiday lets, and house prices are escalating as a result. As visitors and rental properties outnumber local residents, communities are being lost.

Overcrowding is an issue for both locals and tourists. It can ruin the experience of sightseeing for those trapped in long queues, unable to visit museums, galleries and sites without advance booking, rising costs for basics like food, drink and hotels, and faced with the inability to experience the wonder of a place in relative solitude. Justin Francis, co-founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, a tour operator that focuses on more sustainable travel, says “Social media has concentrated tourism in hotspots and worsened the problem, and tourist numbers globally are increasing while destinations have a finite capacity. Until local people are properly consulted about what they want and don’t want from tourism, we’ll see more protests.”

Of the 800 residents in the UNESCO-listed village of Hallstatt, around 100 turned out in August to show their displeasure and to push for a limit on daily visitors and a curfew(宵禁)on tour coach arrivals. Elsewhere, residents in Venice fought long and hard for a ban on cruise ships, with protest flags often hanging from windows. In Rome, sitting at popular sites, such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, has been restricted by the authorities.

There are ways to better manage tourism by promoting more off-season travel, limiting numbers where possible and having greater regulation within the industry. Encouraging more sustainable travel and finding solutions to reduce friction between residents and tourists could also have positive impacts. Promoting alternative, less-visited spots to redirect travelers may also offer some benefits.

5 . Mahanakhon SkyWalk is one of the best attractions at the heart of Bangkok, combining wonderful views with an unmatched guest experience.

Mahanakhon SkyWalk facilities include:

1st Floor: In the Lobby (大厅) are the Main Entrance and Mahanakhon SkvWalk Ticket Counter (柜台). It conveniently linked to the elevator (电梯) lobby through a Bangkok-themed digital corridor. Feel the excitement of Thailand’s fastest elevators that are capable of reaching the 74th floor in just 50 seconds.

74th Floor: The Indoor Observation Deck affords 360-degree panoramic views of landmark destinations around Bangkok. It comes complete with interactive windows and Augmented Reality (AR) screen experience to capture and send postcards to loved ones direct from Thailand’s highest mailbox!

75th Floor: The Mezzanine offers restroom facilities and access to the glass elevator lobby.

78th Floor: The Rooftop and Outdoor Observation Deck comes alive with the excitement of “The Glass Tray”, a floor space that sits 310 meters from the ground. The viewing deck ranks among the world’s largest glass floors. Take your time as you take in the awe-inspiring view of the city skyline. It’s home to the highest rooftop bar with plenty of drinks and cocktails.

9 . Welcome to Biscayne National Park

Biscayne is not very far from the lights and excitement of downtown Miami. But it has a very different atmosphere from the big city. Established as a national monument in 1968, Biscayne National Park includes the northern part of the world-famous Florida Keys which are low-lying islands or reefs.

Biscayne National Park

If you enjoy water, Biscayne is the park for you. You will find the threatened huge, gentle West Indian manatee, the less gentle American crocodile, several kinds of sea turtles and over 500 species of fish. Four ecosystems come together here, which is what makes the park so diverse. The blending ecosystems create ”edge communities.“

Human history

Human history at Biscayne begins more than 10, 000 years ago. Scientists say evidence of the area’s earliest people is mostly underwater now and learn about these people by examining the hills of shells they left behind. As the population grew, it divided into separate cultures. The groups began making pottery and created trade networks. These Native Americans are called the Tequesta. The Tequesta depended on the rich food source of the sea to survive. They were not centered on farming and had more time than other natives for art and religion. The reefs and rough waters made it difficult for early explorers resulting in more than 50 shipwrecks. Scuba divers today can explore six of them.

Exploring the park

Many visitors to Biscayne National Park choose to explore underwater. Guides lead snorkeling and scuba diving trips. At Boca Chita Key, visitors can explore a lighthouse, a symbol of Biscayne National Park built in the 1930s. But visitors to Biscayne National Park probably are not there to see skyscrapers and city lights. The beauty in Biscayne is quiet waters, rustling mangroves.

10 . Visiting Ireland? Here’s what the locals love to do.

Walking is one of the best ways to get to know Ireland. “I’ve been walking for about 30 years, but I’m still trotting off to find new routes, and all of the walks seem to have stories,” says John G. O’Dwyer, author of 50 Best Irish Walks.

“Ireland’s casual food has been elevated,” said food writer Ali Dunworth. These days, food trucks, pop-up stores, and shacks are fun places to taste soulful pub fresh seafood and toasties (toasted sandwiches) with farmhouse cheese.

Marnie Corscadden, owner of Ballyseede Castle in Tralee, is attracted by Cloughoughter Castle, in County Cavan. Cloughoughter Castle is a four-story stone tower castle consisting of a single circular tower with high walls and a moat (护城河) surrounding it. Each floor has a curved ceiling, and the staircase winds along the inner walls. Despite being heavily damaged, the castle remains a popular tourist attraction. "Nestled on a small island, this dreamy castle is like something from a fairytale,” she said. “The fact that it’s so remote and can only be accessed by boat adds to its mystery and appeal.”

“In Ireland, there are thousands of miles of quiet country roads where everyone you encounter is more than willing to give directions and point out places to visit,” said Ciaran Cannon, an official in Galway East, who cycled through all 32 counties for charity. A growing network of greenways rebooting derelict railways, such as Royal Canal and Limerick, are great for taking in the countryside.