30 Must-Visit Places Abroad in a Lifetime

Author: Qian Huayan
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Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Visiting the Russian cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg by car is technically feasible, but experienced travelers would advise against it. The writer Gogol wrote about this in the 19th century: "Which Russian doesn’t love a fast-moving car? His soul yearns to keep moving, to forget everything at a wild banquet, to sometimes shout 'To hell with it!' Such a soul could not possibly dislike a fast-moving car?" Little has changed since that time. Russians seem to dislike seeing other cars in front of their own while driving, always eager to overtake and unceremoniously refuse to yield to cautious drivers. Add to this the potholes in the roads and the strange road signs, and foreign drivers will find themselves in a headache-inducing situation. Fortunately, the metro system is well-developed and can greatly save the time and energy you would spend traveling between the two attractions. Especially in Moscow, the metro is renowned as the world’s most efficient and is also considered a "must-visit" attraction for tourists. The underground scenery is no less impressive than the outstanding buildings above ground, making it a“”（true underground palace). On the morning of May 15, 1935, at 7 a.m., tickets were sold at the Sokol metro station, and Mr. Rakhichev boarded the metro, becoming the th passenger in the nearly 80 billion passengers who have used the Moscow underground railway. At that time, the underground railway, which was only 11 kilometers long, had been expanded over decades to now include 8 lines, covering nearly 200 kilometers in total. Older stations leave a deep impression, decorated with marble, granite, and crystal. The chandeliers of the Komsomol metro station, the European-style carvings, and the bronze sculptures of workers and peasant women in the Revolution Square metro station are unforgettable. The elegance of the metro stations and metro culture are in direct proportion. Men riding the metro exude a gentlemanly demeanor, strictly adhering to the principle of "women and children first." Taking the metro is a great pleasure for Moscow tourists. Another unforgettable pleasure is attending ballet and opera performances at the Bolshoi Theater. The Bolshoi Theater is Moscow’s most famous ballet and opera company, with a history dating back to 1776. That year, Moscow’s censor, Count Rumyantsev, formed a permanent opera company from the serfs on his estate. Four years later, he established the Petrovsky Theater at the end of Petrovka Street, and its location has remained unchanged to this day. The theater square, this commemorative classical building, is a phoenix reborn from the ashes, having been destroyed by fire twice—once in 1805 and again in 1853. The reborn Petrovsky Theater was even larger in scale than the London Royal Opera House and the Milan Scala Opera House. What makes it even more famous is its exceptional acoustics, which its architect confidently described as "an instrument." Many great Russian works, such as the renowned Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake, were premiered at the Bolshoi. The 1960s and 1970s were the golden age of the Bolshoi. During those years, theaters around the world were packed with audiences captivated by the company’s performances of Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Khachaturian’s Gayaana. Although its glory days have passed, this artistic legacy will one day shine again.
The Angel City of the Golden Robe Nation: Bangkok, Thailand
Chinese people translate its name with the auspicious blessing of the eight auspicious symbols. "Thailand" means peace and prosperity, and what could be better than the blessing of "national prosperity and peace"? The name of the country also reveals that it is a beautiful and harmonious land. It is a Buddhist country, with 95% of the population practicing Buddhism, earning it the nickname "Golden Robe Buddhist Nation." Temples and monks are almost everywhere in Thailand, creating a peaceful atmosphere that visitors find unforgettable. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is also the most beautiful city in the country. The Chao Phraya River flows gently through the heart of Bangkok; surrounded by blooming flowers and the gentle smiles of Thai girls, your heart will also become soft. Bangkok is the political, economic, cultural, and transportation center of Thailand, blending ancient charm with modern elegance. Bangkok officially became the capital of Thailand in 1782, when King Rama I named it "Krung Thep," meaning "City of Angels." King Rama I clearly had a deep affection for Bangkok, as evidenced by the city’s name, which is undoubtedly the longest in the world. It consists of over 100 Thai letters and is translated into Chinese as an exaggeration: "The great divine capital, the eternal emerald city, the indestructible paradise, the imperial city of the god-king, bestowed with nine jewels, the great metropolis of the world, the city of jade and marble, the palace where Vishnu descended, the palace built by Vishnu, the city granted by Indra." It’s difficult to pronounce all of it at once, but the Thai people have turned it into a song, making it easy to sing and remember. This song is well-known among many Thais, and the people of Thailand love Bangkok just as much as King Rama I.
We love Bangkok not only for its beautiful scenery and magnificent temples but also for the kindness, sincerity, and warmth of the Thai people. When you see the radiant, spring-like smiles of Thai girls, won’t you feel as if you’ve truly met angels in the "City of Angels"?
The Charm of the Chao Phraya River
Bangkok was once a city of canals. "Bangkok’s streets are not roads but rivers and canals!" This was the evaluation given to Bangkok by a traveler named John Bowring in 1855. In the 19th century, Bangkok was known as the "Venice of the East." Today, many of Bangkok’s canals have been developed into highways paved with asphalt and gravel, but the remaining canals and the Chao Phraya River that cuts through the city still offer the joy of river cruises for exploring the "City of Angels." Thais call the Chao Phraya the "Maenam Chao Phraya," meaning the river is as sacred and noble as a deity. Thai dynasties were all established along the river. The th dynasty was built in Ayutthaya, where the kings of Ayutthaya established their palaces and temples. Ayutthaya is also a worthwhile place to visit near Bangkok. The Chao Phraya is the main waterway in Bangkok, with rivers and canals crisscrossing the city. Barges carrying rice from the central plains to Bangkok sail along the river. On smaller canals, people’s lives have remained unchanged for decades. The easiest way to explore the canals is to take a rented speedboat on the Chao Phraya, which can go upstream or downstream. However, to fully enjoy the scenery of the former "Venice of the East," renting a longtail boat to visit the Thonburi floating market, Khlong Ban Dan, and the area around Bangkok Yai is the best way to experience the rustic charm. The Thonburi floating market is the most attractive sight after temples. To enjoy the floating market, you should go early in the morning. A longtail boat glides through the Bangkok Yai Canal and the Bangkok Baramee Canal (the Big and Small Canals), with coconut trees, ancient warehouses, and newly built Tudor-style concrete houses lining the banks. Finally, you arrive at the Thonburi floating market. Vegetables, fruits, various handicrafts, and daily necessities are all loaded onto small boats and brought from all over the canals, creating a lively market on the water. Tourists navigate through the market in boats, enjoying the experience of shopping on the water, and can even taste the delicious grilled meat cooked by "gourmets" on the boats. This morning market leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Not long after the fall of the Ayutthaya Dynasty in 1782, King Rama I established the capital on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. At that time, the capital was not much larger than a fishing village. King Rama I built palaces, dug canals, and constructed temples for the Buddha... Generations of kings added to these structures, and the royal palaces and magnificent temples transformed the capital into a true "City of Angels."