The Ancient City of Pingyao, originally named “Gu Tao”, 【小题1】(construct) during the Western Zhou Dynasty. In order to defend from invaders (入侵者), a wall was built 【小题2】 the city in 1370. More than 300 years later, gate towers were built 【小题3】(celebrate) a visit by Kangxi Emperor.

The three most historic sites in Pingyao, often referred to as the city’s Three Historic Treasures, 【小题4】(be) the ancient brick-made city wall and the Zhenguo and Shuanglin temples.

The first of these historic treasures, the ancient city wall is 6,163 meters long and separates the city into two parts — an old city enclosed within the walls 【小题5】 the newer modern section of the city. The old town still looks as it 【小题6】(do) during the Qing Dynasty, with antique streets and buildings along 【小题7】(age) roads. Walking along the alleyways, one can appreciate the symmetrical (对称的) design of the city and 【小题8】(it) stylish man-made cave houses. In the northeast corner of the city is the second treasure: Zhenguo Temple. Its Wan Fo Hall is the third oldest wooden building in China and houses numerous 【小题9】(value) painted sculptures. The third treasure is Shuanglin Temple. Built during the Qi Dynasty, the temple boasts more than 2,000 painted clay statues 【小题10】 were created during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

The sheepskin raft (筏), the oldest ferry tool along the Yellow River, has a history of nearly 2,000 years. The airbag of the raft is made of a whole sheepskin and experiences processes that include 【小题1】 (heat), soaking, sewing, drying and blowing. Afterwards, the airbags are attached 【小题2】 a wooden stand, enabling its use for transporting people and goods across the water.

It is said that the 【小题3】 (large) sheepskin raft in old times consisted of more than 600 sheepskin airbags, with an impressive length of 22 meters and a 【小题4】 (wide) of 7 meters.

【小题5】 railways were not yet in operation and road traffic was inconvenient in the early 20th century, the sheepskin raft 【小题6】 (serve) as the most important means of transportation for residents nearby.

However, with the rapid development of society, the sheepskin raft has finished 【小题7】 (it) historical task in transporting people and goods. Nowadays, it can only be found in several cities. It has become a tool for people 【小题8】 (go) sightseeing along the river.

Today only some of the older generation of rafters still operate the traditional sheepskin rafts, 【小题9】 are struggling to make a living. Unsurprisingly, the younger generations prefer to pursue other business 【小题10】 (opportunity) on the riverbank rather than continue the operation.

Against a backdrop of misty green forests and 【小题1】 its buildings on stilts (桩), which are above the River Tuo, Fenghuang is a picturesque place to spend a day or two. Its winding allays, lined with traditional shops and temples, lead to narrow wooden bridges and stepping-stones that cross the river.

Although the town can get extremely busy with continual tour groups, 【小题2】 has managed to preserve much of its traditional 【小题3】 (architect). Wandering off the main streets allows you to get a sense of 【小题4】 it would have been like before the tourists began to visit and taste the local delicacies including bamboo rat, frog and snake.

Fenghuang itself does have a section of rebuilt Ming city walls 【小题5】 (run) along its riverbank, but it’s the Miaojiang Great Wall 【小题6】 is the main draw here. Built in 1554 during the Ming dynasty defence against the Miao, the wall 【小题7】 (destroy) partly by Miao ethnic group and then rebuilt under the Qing rulers, who also 【小题8】 (seek) to strengthen their power through the control of China’s southern minorities. Nowadays only a section is 【小题9】 (access), but it’s still 【小题10】 impressive sight, offering great views of the surrounding countryside.