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Dragon Boat Festival celebrations across China

STORY: Dragon Boat Festival celebrations across China SHOOTING TIME: June 9, 2024 DATELINE: June 10, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:24 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of people celebrating Dragon Boat Festival 2. various of dragon boat race in Fujian 3. various of dragon boat race in Guangdong 4. various of dragon boat race in Xinjiang 5. various of people making Zongzi in Henan 6. various of people making Zongzi in Yunnan 7. various of people making mugwort sachets in Ningxia 8. various of people celebrating Dragon Boat Festival in Shaanxi 9. various of people celebrating Dragon Boat Festival in Anhui 10. various of people celebrating Dragon Boat Festival in Beijing 11. various of people celebrating Dragon Boat Festival in Hunan STORYLINE: Vibrant sounds of cheers and drumbeats filled the air across China, celebrating the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on Monday this year. The festival commemorates the famous Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who was also a minister of the

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Mongolia holds int'l motorsports festival to promote special interest tourism

STORY: Mongolia holds int'l motorsports festival to promote special interest tourism SHOOTING DATE: June 8, 2024 DATELINE: June 8, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: SOCIETY/SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of motorsports festival STORYLINE: The ninth edition of an international motorsports festival kicked off in Ulan Bator on Saturday, aimed at promoting the development of special interest tourism. More than 1,000 motorcyclists from all 21 provinces of Mongolia and over 450 bikers from several countries and regions, including China, Russia, and South Korea, are participating in the annual event entitled "Steppe Wind." The festival is co-organized by the tourism department of Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital, and the "Mongolian Choppers Brotherhood" non-governmental organization. The two-day festival features numerous activities, including a motorcycle parade, a concert by famous Mongolian rock bands, a DJ show, and an exhibition of rare and antique motorcycles. Xinhua News Agenc

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Italy hosts record-breaking number of tourists in 2023

STORY: Italy hosts record-breaking number of tourists in 2023 SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024 DATELINE: June 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:47 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of tourists in Rome STORYLINE: Italy set an all-time record for tourist arrivals last year, with numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time, the government's statistics entity reported Tuesday. ISTAT, the Italian Statistics Institute, said the country hosted more than 134 million tourists in 2023, amounting to a total of more than 450 million overnight stays. This represents 3 million more arrivals and 14.5 million more overnight stays than in 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for increases of 2.3 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. Compared to 2022, the tourism figures rose by 13.4 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively. According to the data, the most popular Italian region for tourism last year was Veneto, famous for the canal city of Venice. Veneto attracted 21.1 mil

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Electric cars future for green Earth: Slovak business leader

STORY: Electric cars future for green Earth: Slovak business leader SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024 DATELINE: June 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:08 LOCATION: Bratislava CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): PAVOL ANTALIC, Chairman of Slovak-Chinese Joint Business Council STORYLINE: In a recent interview with Xinhua, Pavol Antalic, chairman of the Slovak-Chinese Joint Business Council, said that electric cars are the future of the world for a green Earth. SOUNDBITE (English): PAVOL ANTALIC, Chairman of Slovak-Chinese Joint Business Council "I am very interested in China's electric cars. Last 15 years, I have visited all exhibitions in Shanghai or Beijing. Because every day, every year, it changes. China's electric cars are very good and technical. It's excellent. Local customers are very interested in Chinese EV cars. For batteries, China has very famous factories. CATL is now building a big factory in Hungary and delivering batteries to BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen. And Slovakia also prepared one

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Damascene Rose faces challenges amid changing weather conditions

STORY: Damascene Rose faces challenges amid changing weather conditions SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024 DATELINE: June 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:04:23 LOCATION: Damascus CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Damascene Rose harvest 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer 3. various of the Damascene Rose harvest 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer 5. various of the Damascene Rose harvest 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer STORYLINE: In the mountainside town of Al-Marah, north of the Syrian capital Damascus, the famous Damask Rose, also known as the Damascene Rose, is facing challenges due to fluctuating weather conditions and the aftermath of past battles. Al-Marah, in the rugged Qalamoun region, is believed to be the original hometown of the world-famous Damascene Rose, with a history dating back to Roman times when the rose was said to have been brought to England from the region. During the first two years of the Syrian

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Journey into China's Tea Culture: Millennium-old Liubao tea

STORY: Journey into China's Tea Culture: Millennium-old Liubao tea SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage DATELINE: May 27, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:01 LOCATION: WUZHOU, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Liubao tea STORYLINE: Liubao tea, a Chinese dark tea characterized by its strong and lingering fragrance and medical effects, boasts a history of more than 1,500 years. Over a century ago, as one of the major commodities, Liubao tea was exported along the Maritime Silk Road to Southeast Asian countries. Its fame grew significantly in the second half of the 19th century among Chinese migrants in Southeast Asia, who used it as a herbal remedy in the hot, humid climate. Today, Liubao tea sees even more robust exports and has become a symbol of tea products in south China's Guangxi. Famous for Liubao tea making, the city of Wuzhou in Guangxi has over 310,000 mu (about 20,667 hectares) of tea plantations, with an output value exceeding 16 billion yuan (about 2.24 billion dollars). Liubao tea-making technique

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Bulgarian summer tourist season begins

STORY: Bulgarian summer tourist season begins SHOOTING TIME: May 17, 2024 DATELINE: May 18, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:59 LOCATION: NESSEBAR, BULGARIA CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event STORYLINE: The summer tourist season in Bulgaria was officially opened at a ceremony on Friday, which was held in the Ancient City of Nessebar on the Black Sea coast. "There is hardly a better place for today's event than the Nessebar coast," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at the opening ceremony, which was attended by representatives of Bulgarian institutions and diplomatic corps in the country. "Here coexist the millennial history of our lands with the comfort of modern tourist services, the splendor of our nature with the famous hospitality of the local people," Radev said at the gates of the city, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Radev also said that Bulgaria had its place on the world tourist map as a year-round destination, adding that the state had to make efforts to utiliz

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240509) -- BEIJING, May 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows tourists on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A child displays a popsicle with a pattern of the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 25, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows tourists on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This file photo shows the carving patterns on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Photo by Zhu Tao/Xinhua)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge at sunset in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows a relic dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618) of the Zhaozhou Bridge at Zhaoxian Museum in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a statue of Li Chun, designer of the Zhaozhou Bridge, in the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows the bottom of the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area at night in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge at night in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This file photo shows a stone carving on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Photo by Zhu Tao/Xinhua)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge and its surrounding village in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Students make models of the Zhaozhou Bridge at a primary school in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 25, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge at night in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Children play on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 24, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tourists view a relic dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618) of the Zhaozhou Bridge at the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 24, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This file photo shows the carving patterns on the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Photo by Zhu Tao/Xinhua)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Cultural relics protection technicians inspect the bottom of the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 25, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A worker removes floating water plants at the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 25, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

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CHINA-HEBEI-SHIJIAZHUANG-ZHAOZHOU BRIDGE (CN)

(240508) -- BEIJING, May 8, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Cultural relics protection technicians inspect the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhaoxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 25, 2024. Built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the 1,400-year-old Zhaozhou Bridge stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province. It is the world's oldest single-arch bridge. A combination of location, design and excellent construction are the main reasons why the bridge has withstood earthquake, flood and war for 1,400 years. Along with such world-famous landmarks as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, the bridge was listed into China's first group of national cultural heritage protection sites in 1961. Nowadays, the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic area has been open to public for free, bringing numerous tourists into the county. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

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Italian orchestra eyes promoting friendship with Chinese people

STORY: Italian orchestra eyes promoting friendship with Chinese people SHOOTING TIME: April 24, 2024 DATELINE: April 29, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of performances 2. SOUNDBITE (English): CARLO NATALE, Pianist of the Playtoy Orchestra 3. various of performances STORYLINE: The Playtoy Orchestra from Italy performed this month in Beijing after a nearly five years' absence from China. The orchestra is famous for playing with real toy-instruments. It has captured the attention of Chinese audiences over the past two weeks, with many children enthusiastically taking to the stage to participate in the interactive performances. SOUNDBITE (English): CARLO NATALE, Pianist of the Playtoy Orchestra "It is a pleasure for me to be here to share our music, to share our passion with all these audiences. There are less keys, and it is also smaller than a real piano. And it is part of the show, of course. You can play real music even with the toy system. It is the main

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AR bat-watching experience in Austin, Texas

STORY: AR bat-watching experience in Austin, Texas SHOOTING TIME: April 24, 2024 DATELINE: April 27, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: AUSTIN, the United States CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event STORYLINE: The Contemporary Austin held an event on Wednesday in Austin with artists, showcasing a unique augmented reality experience that allows users to experience echolocation to simulate how bats perceive the world. People experience echolocation via augmented reality (AR) devices while waiting for bats to appear at the South Congress Bridge. Austin is the world-famous colony of approximately 1.5 million Brazilian free-tailed bats, according to the Contemporary Austin. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Austin, the United States. (XHTV)

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French expat's foodie tour in China's Tianshui

STORY: French expat's foodie tour in China's Tianshui SHOOTING TIME: April 18, 2024 DATELINE: April 19, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:40 LOCATION: LANZHOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): QUENTIN, French student at China's Lanzhou University 2. various of the "eight great bowls" 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): QUENTIN, French student at China's Lanzhou University STORYLINE: SOUNDBITE 1 (English): QUENTIN, French student at China's Lanzhou University "Hello everybody, we're going to try a special food from Gansu. I'm here in Tianshui, and going to try the 'eight great bowls.' It's a special dish of this incredible region and let's go try this." The "eight great bowls" are the eight famous local specialties in Tianshui. They can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They're popular during family get-togethers, especially in rural areas of Tianshui. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): QUENTIN, French student at China's Lanzhou University "Come here and try this delicious food, the 'eight great bowl

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German chemicals giant positive about Chinese market

STORY: German chemicals giant positive about Chinese market SHOOTING TIME: April 16, 2024 DATELINE: April 18, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:59 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Covestro in Shanghai 2. SOUNDBITE (English): HOLLY LEI, President, Covestro China STORYLINE: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday visited German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific Innovation Center in Shanghai, China. As a global chemicals giant that has been in China for over 20 years, Covestro plays an important role in supporting China's green transformation. During the visit, Covestro demonstrated its leading innovations in the circular economy and provided a platform to discuss chances of the Sino-German partnership. SOUNDBITE (English): HOLLY LEI, President, Covestro China "We are inventors because we invented two materials, famous materials: polyurethane and polycarbonate. China is one of our top markets. We were committed to the Chinese market. We are still committed to the Chinese market, because th

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Broadway's classic musical Sound of Music debuts in Hong Kong

STORY: Broadway's classic musical Sound of Music debuts in Hong Kong SHOOTING TIME: April 16, 2024 DATELINE: April 17, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:23 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the musical "The Sound of Music" 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SIMONE GENATT, Global producer of musical "The Sound of Music" 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JACK O'BRIEN, Original director of musical "The Sound of Music" 4. various of the musical "The Sound of Music" STORYLINE: The international tour of "The Sound of Music," the Broadway's classic musical, made debut on Tuesday at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong, commemorating its 65th anniversary. As famous as the 1965 namesake film, the stage production has captivated a global audience with its heartwarming and healing narrative, making it one of the world's most cherished musicals. Due to an overwhelming response from the Hong Kong audience, the organizers have decided to add 24 additional performances to accommodate the demand. Simone Genatt, the global p

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Myanmar celebrates traditional Thingyan water festival

STORY: Myanmar celebrates traditional Thingyan water festival SHOOTING TIME: April 14, 2024 DATELINE: April 15, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:18 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Thingyan water festival celebrations in Yangon STORYLINE: Myanmar's vibrant Thingyan water festival continued into its second day on Sunday, as people across the Southeast Asian country immersed themselves in the joyous festivities. The time-honored tradition of splashing each other with water represents a symbolic cleansing of past wrongs and a fresh beginning for the upcoming year. Throughout the country, lively dance performances contribute to the festive atmosphere. This year's Thingyan water festival will run for four days until Tuesday. The Myanmar New Year falls on Wednesday. In Myanmar, the Thingyan water festival holds immense cultural significance, standing as the most famous celebration among the 12 monthly seasonal festivals observed throughout the year. Xinhua News Agency corres

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Cultural carnival promotes Sino-Vietnamese exchange in border region

STORY: Cultural carnival promotes Sino-Vietnamese exchange in border region SHOOTING TIME: April 10, 2024 DATELINE: April 12, 2024 LENGTH: 00:07:26 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI SUYING, Zhuang brocade inheritor 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TAN CHUNLI, Longzhou County official 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): PHAM THI TAM, Vietnamese student STORYLINE: A carnival featuring cultural exchanges between China and Vietnam was held on Wednesday in the border county of Longzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The annual event ushered in this year's "Sanyuesan," a traditional festival for the Zhuang ethnic group, which falls on the third day of the third month in the Chinese lunar calendar. During the event, both Chinese and Vietnamese artists played Tianqin, an ancient traditional musical instrument invented by the Zhuang people. Also on display were clothes made of Zhuang brocade, one of the four famous brocades in China. SOU

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Venice to charge day trip tourists 5 euros

STORY: Venice to charge day trip tourists 5 euros SHOOTING TIME: April 4, 2024 DATELINE: April 5, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:04 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Venice STORYLINE: The famous Italian city of Venice on Thursday launched a controversial new scheme to charge tourists five euros (5.43 U.S. dollars) if they only visit for the day. The move is aimed at helping to protect the canal city's delicate infrastructure. The fee will only be charged to visitors coming from outside Venice, during peak hours and during peak tourist season. If the trial is successful, it will be extended, officials said. The northern Italian city is the first in the country to unveil such a plan. Some advocacy groups have complained that the fee discriminates against low-income travelers and restricts freedom of movement. However, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the fee is a way to fund preservation efforts in the city, through funds provided by those who do not support the city's tax base eith

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Ceramic artworks from China's "porcelain capital" on display in the Netherlands

STORY: Ceramic artworks from China's "porcelain capital" on display in the Netherlands SHOOTING TIME: April 3, 2024 DATELINE: April 4, 2024 LENGTH: 0:01:03 LOCATION: THE HAGUE, the Netherlands CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the exhibition STORYLINE: A ceramics art exhibition entitled "Ceramic Canvases -- An Ode to Serenity from Jingdezhen" was held in the Hague, showcasing 16 meticulously chosen contemporary ceramic artworks from China's Jingdezhen, known as the world-famous "porcelain capital." These artworks were crafted to mark over 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and the Netherlands. The exhibition runs from March 12 to April 18. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from The Hague, the Netherlands. (XHTV)

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Merchants drawn to origin of world-famous black tea as tea picking begins in China's Qimen

STORY: Merchants drawn to origin of world-famous black tea as tea picking begins in China's Qimen SHOOTING TIME: March 30, 2024 DATELINE: April 3, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:30 LOCATION: HUANGSHAN, China CATEGORY: MARKET SHOTLIST: 1. various of the opening ceremony of a tea garden in Qimen 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English) : MARCO BERTONA, President of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese) : MSTISLAVSKIY SERGEY, Russian tea merchant STORYLINE: Spring tea picking has begun in Qimen County in China's Anhui Province, which is home to the world-renowned Keemun black tea. A tea garden opening ceremony, together with a global partners gathering, was held here, drawing around 200 people from tea associations, enterprises and merchants from various countries. SOUNDBITE 1 (English) : MARCO BERTONA, President of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association "Keemun black tea holds a special place in the hearts of tea enthusiasts around the world. Renowned for its rich and mellow taste, it has earned the prestigiou

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Japan: Cherry Blossoms Begin To Douse Tokyo In Pink

The cherry blossoms, or sakura, are blooming and starting to bathe the capital city Tokyo in pink. The trees' blooming was officially announced on March 29 for central Tokyo and is expected to reach full bloom around April 4. Dependent on the weather, locals and tourists alike are expected to visit famous parks and location to do "hanami", literally "viewing the flowers" in Japanese.

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2 fire incidents take place in India as country celebrates Holi festival

STORY: 2 fire incidents take place in India as country celebrates Holi festival SHOOTING TIME: March 25, 2024 DATELINE: March 26, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:31 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of India gate 2. various of people celebrating Holi STORYLINE: At least 13 persons received burn injuries when a fire broke out at the famous Mahakaal Temple in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh on Monday, a local official told Xinhua over the phone. Among the injured were five temple priests offering special prayers on the occasion of the festival of color Holi, celebrated across the country during the day. Latest media reports said the fire was brought under control. The injured were admitted to a local hospital. The temple is situated in the Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. In another incident, a fire broke out in Delhi's Alipur area. According to a senior official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), no casualties were reported yet. The fire broke out inside a factory storehouse of refrige

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Dutch Keukenhof park celebrates 75th anniversary

STORY: Dutch Keukenhof park celebrates 75th anniversary SHOOTING TIME: March 21, 2024 DATELINE: March 22, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: LISSE, the Netherlands CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of people visiting the Keukenhof park in Lisse, the Netherlands 2. SOUNDBITE (English): MARY ROSE BUGTO, Visitor STORYLINE: The Keukenhof park opened its doors to the public on Thursday in Lisse, the Netherlands, also celebrating its 75th anniversary with millions of beautiful flowers and colorful performances. The park first opened its doors in 1950 and has since developed into a popular destination for tourists from home and abroad. Covering an area of 32 hectares, the Keukenhof park holds its famous flower exhibition from March to May every year. This year it will be open for about eight weeks, with more than 7 million bulb flowers showcasing over 1,600 varieties, including more than 800 varieties of tulips. The organizers are expecting 1.4 million visitors from around the world. SOUNDBITE (English): M

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German professor impressed by China's Hainan

STORY: German professor impressed by China's Hainan SHOOTING TIME: March 4, 2024 DATELINE: March 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:21 LOCATION: HAIKOU, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Hainan 2. SOUNDBITE (English): MOURAD ALAMI, Professor at Hainan College of Foreign Studies STORYLINE: "I'm confident that Hainan will be a very famous 'jewel' in the world," a German professor working in China's southernmost province of Hainan has said. SOUNDBITE (English): MOURAD ALAMI, Professor at Hainan College of Foreign Studies "My name is Alami. I'm working here as a teacher or professor for the German language and culture at Hainan College of Foreign Studies. All the sceneries and places I visited and I liked in Hainan, I must say Haikou for sure and Sanya. Why Haikou? Because they have some very nice landmarks. Qilou old street, for example, is a wonderful street. This street housed a lot of post offices in the past, banks. And Sanya is also a very nice place. You have some very famous landmarks like Nanshan Te

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Paris 2024 unveils art deco-style posters inspired by famous landmarks

STORY: Paris 2024 unveils art deco-style posters inspired by famous landmarks SHOOTING TIME: March 4, 2024 DATELINE: March 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:30 LOCATION: Paris CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the launching ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE (English):TONY ESTANGUET, President of the Paris 2024 organizing committee 3. various of the posters 4. various of the designer at work STORYLINE: The iconic posters for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed by French illustrator Ugo Gattoni, were revealed at the Musee d'Orsay on Monday. A giant version of the posters went on display at the well-known art museum and will remain there until March 10 for visitors from all over the world. The respective posters for the Olympics and Paralympics could be seen as separate works but also complement each other to form a "double poster", which reflects the idea that the two Games are equal and connected. "For the first time at the Summer Games, the Iconic Posters take the form of a diptych, with the s

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Historical towers in Egypt's Saladin Citadel open to visitors after restoration

STORY: Historical towers in Egypt's Saladin Citadel open to visitors after restoration SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 18, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 19, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:43 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the towers 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): AHMED ISSA, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities STORYLINE: Two towers at the Saladin Citadel, one of Cairo's most famous landmarks, opened to the public on Sunday after restoration. Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa said at the inauguration ceremony that the opening of the Ramla and Al-Haddad towers, together with other newly opened attractions, would extend the time of a tour at the citadel from one hour to three hours and contribute to increasing the number of nights spent by visitors in Cairo by one. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): AHMED ISSA, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities "The Salah El Din Citadel doesn't currently receive the estimated time it deserves as a destination. Travel agencies always complain about the short time vi

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Water light show staged at 2024 Venice Carnival

STORY: Water light show staged at 2024 Venice Carnival SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 13, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 15, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: VENICE, Italy CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of "Unknown Lands: Marco Polo's Fantastic Journey" STORYLINE: A water light show named "Unknown Lands: Marco Polo's Fantastic Journey" was concluded on Tuesday in the famous lagoon city of Venice, Italy. As one of the main events of the 2024 Venice Carnival, the show told the story of the famous merchant and traveler Marco Polo's 24-year journey to the East. The 30-minute water light show was held twice a day. It attracted an average of 1,500 audiences, attended by both local residents and foreign tourists. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Venice, Italy. (XHTV)

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French chef savors China's Korean ethnic cuisine in NE China

STORY: French chef savors China's Korean ethnic cuisine in NE China SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 2-4, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:38 LOCATION: YANJI, China CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Yanji 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Waitress 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CORENTIN DELCROIX, French chef 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): Waitress 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): CORENTIN DELCROIX, French chef 6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): Waitress 7. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): CORENTIN DELCROIX, French chef STORYLINE: SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Waitress "Hello. Welcome." SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CORENTIN DELCROIX, French chef "The three famous dishes of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture are soondae, sand ginseng, and potato pancake. Today, I've discovered many new food materials. Sand ginseng tastes like crispy bamboo shoots without the strong flavor of ginseng. It's sweet and spicy. Soondae is a must-eat for every meal. This is Yanbian beef hotpot. It is already fully boiled. Let's mix it up. It tastes a bit like Sukiyaki. S

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Tourism Killed Thailand's Most Famous Bay

Maya Bay, on Ko Phi Phi Leh island of the Phi Phi Archipelago, is famous as the location of the movie "The Beach", starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Released in 2000, it focused on a group of backpackers looking to create their own private utopia on an unbelievably beautiful island in Thailand. Part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, the stunning cove is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and boasts an exquisite, 250-meter white crescent strand that is the platonic ideal of a beach. In the wake of the movie, the trickle of visitors to Maya Bay became a deluge. As many as 4,000 arrived daily on flotillas of tourist boats that damaged the coral and scared off the blacktip reef sharks that used the bay as a mating pool. Crowds trampled the delicate sea floor. To stop further damage, authorities closed Maya Bay to tourists in June 2018.When it reopened in January 2023, visitors were limited to 380—not per day, but per hour. Approaches by boat were banned, as was swimming. “The best solution is nobody co

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Tourism Killed Thailand's Most Famous Bay

Maya Bay, on Ko Phi Phi Leh island of the Phi Phi Archipelago, is famous as the location of the movie "The Beach", starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Released in 2000, it focused on a group of backpackers looking to create their own private utopia on an unbelievably beautiful island in Thailand. Part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, the stunning cove is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and boasts an exquisite, 250-meter white crescent strand that is the platonic ideal of a beach. In the wake of the movie, the trickle of visitors to Maya Bay became a deluge. As many as 4,000 arrived daily on flotillas of tourist boats that damaged the coral and scared off the blacktip reef sharks that used the bay as a mating pool. Crowds trampled the delicate sea floor. To stop further damage, authorities closed Maya Bay to tourists in June 2018.When it reopened in January 2023, visitors were limited to 380—not per day, but per hour. Approaches by boat were banned, as was swimming. “The best solution is nobody co