2 . WELCOMETO CHINATOWN!

The Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest in America, and also the oldest. It is a  very popular tourist draw that receives more visitors each year than even the Golden  Gate Bridge. The climate is mild all year round, meaning it is always a good time to visit.

Historically, Chinese immigrants settled in the area during the railroad construction and  gold rush period. What started as a residential area for Chinese immigrants then turned  into a centre for Chinese culture. The majority of residents in Chinatown are still ethnic  Chinese, many of whom do not speak English fluently. This allows visitors to experience  a real taste of China.

Most of Chinatown was destroyed in  the 1906 earthquake, but the city and  residents rebuilt it, taking care to include  lots of Chinese architecture. Traditionally,  visitors enter Chinatown through the  legendary Dragon Gate, which was built  using materials donated from China. Other  famous sites include the Tin How Temple  and Bank of Canton, to name but a few.  Visitors can also spend hours just exploring the interesting sights, smells, and sounds  of China. Portsmouth Square is also a key site, being the centre of Chinatown. It has a  long and famous history, with the author Robert Louis Stevenson having spent much  time writing there. These days, the square is a great place to see traditional Chinese  culture in real life, such as games of Chinese chess, and people practising tai chi.

The stores in the Chinatown offer a unique range of souvenirs, goods, and clothing. All  kinds of traditional Chinese herbal medicine can be found, too, and there are Chinese  tea stores, where visitors can taste and buy varieties of Chinese tea.

But perhaps what many tourists and San Franciscans treasure most about Chinatown  is its food. There is Chinese food to suit everyone's taste, with traditional dishes from all  over China.

Chinatowns are an important part of the diverse culture of the USA. They allow visitors  who have never been to China to experience traditional Chinese culture first hand.

4 . Named “America’s Finest City” due to its hospitality, beauty and ideal climate, San Diego is located on the border with Mexico. The residents are so active outdoors that it is called “Sportstown, the U.S.A.”. San Diego’s 70 miles of beaches are a heaven for swimmers, surfers, divers, boaters and sunbathers. Another favourite outside activity is golf. With 100 courses (about 50 of them public), San Diego is a golfers’ paradise. Many San Diego residents came here first as tourists, who were attracted by San Diego’s sunny beaches, nearby mountains and deserts, plus the cultural delights of any big city. The world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Wild Animal Park, museums and other attractions attract visitors from around the world.

The zoo is home to some 4,000 animals, including the world’s largest group of parrots. Animals are displayed in natural settings, and there is a petting zoo for children. By contrast, the Wild Animal Park is a wildlife preserve with an area of over 2,000 acres and more than 3,000 free-roaming (自由漫步的) animals in natural habitats.

In addition to housing the zoo, Balboa Park is home to several museums and attractions, including an aerospace museum, an art and history museum, the Old Globe Theatre, science museums and even a railroad museum. Free concerts are offered frequently. Another popular attraction is the SeaWorld, a 190-acre marine park.

San Diego’s varied attractions, as well as its business climate, offer many opportunities for students to explore the local culture, meet people from around the world, and gain business experience. At San Diego State University, for example, students in the American Language Institute’s study tour program learn English both in the classroom and while sightseeing.