Shanghai is not only the largest seaport (港口) city and economic center of China, but also the modern and fashionable international city as well. It lies in the east of China and faces the East China Sea.

With a long history, there are many interesting places in Shanghai. It is really a good place to go on vacation. Also, since it’s a modern city, Shanghai is a good place to go shopping. You can see many fashionable things there. Walking along the Nanjing Road and the Huaihai Road, you will follow the latest fashion.

Come to Shanghai, please! But don’t forget to take your umbrella because it rains a lot here in Summer.

Liu Yi, 26, went on a train for six hours to reach Tianshui in Gansu, China. He waited two hours just to eat special spicy soup called malatang. This soup has rice noodles, chilies(辣椒), vegetables and meat. Liu loves spicy food, and he heard that the malatang there was unique and delicious. He said it tasted great after he ate it all.

Now, many people are visiting Tianshui to taste malatang. This is making the city well-known and helps the local food places make more money. Ga Haiying’s place is now open from early morning to late night because everyone wants malatang. Ma Yulin, who owns another food place, says many people are visiting. He had to hire more people because it’s so busy. In his typical malatang restaurant, people pick what they want in their malatang from fresh foods on sticks. They cook it in the soup and add some oil and pepper to make it even tastier (味道更鲜美的).

A short video online made everyone want to try Tianshui’s malatang. So now, lots of people arc coming to the city. More people arc booking hotels, and the area is seeing many tourists.

Tianshui is making tourists feel welcome with free bus rides and places to park. The city’s leaders think the love for malatang is a chance to make Tianshui famous. They want to make sure visitors have a good time by making services and safety better. They are trying to ensure everyone who visits Tianshui can eat, play and travel with pleasure.

As a middle school student, you are sure to know the name “Oxford”. After all, many of you use Oxford English textbooks. But do you know about the English city? Don’t worry. Here are some facts about Oxford-the city in England.

You probably wondered if the name “Oxford” really has something to do with oxen (公牛). The answer is “Yes”! “Oxford” comes from the old term “Oxanforda”. It meant a ford (浅滩) where oxen could cross safely.

The English city has lent its name to many things. Oxford grey is a very dark grey. Oxford shoes are a popular style of shoes for men. Oxford bags—be careful—are not bags. In fact, they are a type of wide baggy trousers. The expression “shoes, bags, and hats” is written with an Oxford comma (牛津逗号). Some people don’t use the Oxford comma. They would write, “shoes, bags and hats”.

And in fact, you can also find the name “Oxford” outside of England. There is an Oxford in New Zealand and an Oxford in Canada. In the United States, there are 21 Oxfords, in addition to a mountain and two lakes which are also called “Oxford”!

Oxford, England, itself is an interesting place. If you have a chance to walk around it, be sure to look up from time to time. All over Oxford’s buildings, you will   find gargoyles (怪兽状的滴水嘴). Some of them show human faces, and some show animals. Visitors with a very careful eve will find the most interesting ones—the one picking his teeth, for example!