2024年12月

国会山上空的烟花，渥太华，加拿大 (© naibank/Getty Images)

新年快乐！

国会山上空的烟花，渥太华，加拿大

今天是2024年的最后一天。新旧之年交替的夜晚被称为跨年夜，世界各地通常会举办烟火表演，一些地区则通过宗教和文化仪式迎接新年。许多国家还会用象征繁荣、长寿和好运的食物来迎接新年。在中国，人们会与亲朋好友聚在一起进行各种“除夕夜”活动，如旅行、听除夕音乐会或享用丰盛的除夕晚餐。

婆罗浮屠大佛寺，爪哇岛，印度尼西亚 Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia (© Robertharding/Shutterstock)

圣山之上 On the sacred mountain

婆罗浮屠大佛寺，爪哇岛，印度尼西亚

想象一下，一个由200多万块石头拼成的巨大拼图，这就是今日图片中的婆罗浮屠。这座寺庙建于公元9世纪，由当时统治爪哇岛的夏连特拉王朝的统治者建造，是世界上最大的佛教寺庙，巍然屹立在印度尼西亚的爪哇岛。这座古老的圣殿因其采用了先进的石块连接系统，在数百年的自然灾害中屹立不倒，包括火山喷发和地震。历史上，婆罗浮屠是一个重要的朝圣地。在被遗弃数百年后，它在19世纪被英国副总督莱佛士重新发现。

婆罗浮屠的每一层都堪称建筑奇迹，融合了笈多风格、佛教风格和爪哇风格。这座建筑分为三部分：底层有雕刻精美的浮雕，传授道德教义；中间层由五个方台组成，上面的浮雕描绘了日常生活和历史事件；而上层则是三层圆台，每一层圆台边缘有一圈钟形小塔，3层共有72座，每座塔内均供奉一尊佛像。婆罗浮屠的顶端为一座巨大的钟形主塔，主塔中有一尊最大的佛像，仿佛在看着来此参观的游客是如何沉浸在这片圣地的氛围中。

Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia

Imagine a colossal puzzle made from over 2 million stone blocks—that's Borobudur, seen in today's image. Built during the 9th century in the reign of the Shailendra dynasty—a ruling family in Southeast Asia—it's the world's largest Buddhist temple, standing tall on the island of Java, Indonesia. This ancient sanctum has withstood centuries of natural challenges, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, thanks to its advanced interlocking stone system. Historically, Borobudur was an important pilgrimage site. After being abandoned for centuries, it was rediscovered in the 19th century by the English lieutenant governor Thomas Stamford Raffles.

Here, each step is an architectural marvel, combining Gupta, Buddhist, and Javanese styles. The structure is divided into three sections: the base has detailed carvings that teach moral lessons; the middle level consists of five square terraces with reliefs depicting daily life and historical events; and the upper levels are three circular platforms with 72 stupas—mound-like structures containing Buddha statues. Oh, and those bell-shaped stupas on the top? Inside each one, a serene Buddha waits, watching as visitors soak in the surroundings.

布莱德湖，斯洛文尼亚 Lake Bled, Slovenia (© Kesu01/Getty Images)

冰雪倒影和积雪覆盖的群峰 Icy reflections and snow-dusted peaks

布莱德湖，斯洛文尼亚

斯洛文尼亚的布莱德湖在夏季备受关注，而在冬季，这里的一切都放慢了脚步。湖水碧绿，色调柔和，湖心岛上的古朴教堂宛如从冬季童话中走出的一般，正如今日图片所示。这座长1.3英里的湖泊，被积雪覆盖的朱利安阿尔卑斯山环绕，形成于大约14,000年前的冰川与地质活动。布莱德岛上最早的定居迹象可追溯至新石器时代（公元前10,000年至公元前3,000年）。此外，考古学家在这里还发现了公元9世纪的中世纪早期墓地。如今，这里坐落着圣母升天教堂，其现有建筑形式建于17世纪末，游客们会在这里敲响“许愿钟”以祈求好运。

当你来到这里时，不要因为惧怕寒冷就只待在室内。围绕湖边散步，乘坐传统的手划船“普莱特纳”前往布莱德岛，或前往布莱德城堡俯瞰小镇全貌。如果喜欢冒险，湖附近还有许多滑雪场可供体验。在离开之前，不妨犒劳一下自己，去尝尝布莱德奶油蛋糕，就会明白它为什么能成为当地的美食符号。

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled in Slovenia gets plenty of attention in summer, but winter? That's when things slow down in the best way. The lake's emerald waters take on a softer tone, and Bled Island, with its quaint church, looks straight out of a winter fairy tale, as seen in today's image. The 1.3-mile lake, surrounded by the snow-dusted Julian Alps, was formed over 14,000 years ago through glacial and tectonic activity. The first signs of settlement on Bled Island date back to the New Stone Age (10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE). Additionally, archaeologists uncovered an Early Medieval graveyard here from the 9th century CE. Today, the island houses the Church of the Assumption—built in its current form near the end of the 17th century—where visitors ring the 'wishing bell' for good luck.

When you're here, don't let the cold keep you indoors. Take a walk around the lake, ride the traditional boat, called a pletna, to Bled Island, or head up to Bled Castle for sweeping views of the town. Feeling adventurous? There are plenty of ski slopes not far from the lake. And before you go, treat yourself to a slice of Bled cream cake—yes, it's famous for a reason, and no, you won't regret it.

莫斯霍尔港的圣诞灯饰，康沃尔，英格兰 Christmas lights at Mousehole Harbour, Cornwall, England (© ianwool/Getty Images)

节日还在继续 The holidays continue

节礼日

当圣诞颂歌的余音仍在空中回荡时，节礼日又到了。英国、加拿大及多个英联邦国家都会庆祝这个节日。过去，富人们会在圣诞节后的这一天给仆人赠送装满礼物的礼盒，这一传统后来演变为向不幸者进行慈善捐赠的日子。如今，尽管赠予的精神仍在，但这一天已转变为购物促销和观看足球比赛的节日。

让我们前往英格兰康沃尔的渔村港口莫斯霍尔港，继续感受节日的欢乐氛围。今天的图片中的莫斯霍尔港因其圣诞灯饰而闻名于世。这些灯饰最早是由当地艺术家琼·吉尔克雷斯特于20世纪60年代初点亮的。最初的几串简单灯饰很快发展为一场盛大的视觉盛宴，逐年增加了标志性场景、航海主题和康沃尔特色主题。如今，这些灯饰从12月开始被点亮，一直持续到次年1月初，覆盖了整个港口，让建筑物、船只甚至水边都披上了柔和的光芒。

Boxing Day

As the last notes of Christmas carols linger in the air, Boxing Day arrives. This day is celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, and several other Commonwealth countries. In the past, it was customary for the wealthy to give boxes filled with gifts to their servants on the day after Christmas. The tradition evolved into a day for charitable giving to the less fortunate. Today, while the spirit of giving remains, it has transformed into a holiday about enjoying bustling sales and a lineup of soccer matches.

Let's visit Mousehole, a fishing village in Cornwall, England, to keep the merriment going. Featured in today's image, Mousehole Harbour is known for its Christmas illuminations. The Mousehole lights were first lit in the early 1960s, thanks to local artist Joan Gillchrest. A few humble strings of lights soon turned into a full-blown spectacle, growing over the years to include iconic scenes, nautical motifs, and Cornish themes. Today, the lights, switched on from December until early January, span the entire harbor, wrapping buildings, boats, and even the water's edge in a soft glow.

科瓦东加湖，阿斯图里亚斯，西班牙 (© Carlos Fernandez/Getty Images)

传说中的风景

科瓦东加湖，阿斯图里亚斯

迷人的科瓦东加湖位于阿斯图里亚斯雄伟的欧罗巴山的中心地带，这是一个标志性的旅游胜地，在冬季尤为迷人。这些湖泊被皑皑白雪覆盖，四周环绕着雄伟的山脉，这幅自然奇观吸引着来自世界各地的游客。

除了令人惊叹的美景外，这里还有深厚的历史价值。科瓦东加湖附近是标志性的科瓦东加洞穴，既是阿斯图里亚斯著名的722年战役的发生地，也是收复失地运动的里程碑。因此，阿斯图里亚斯的这个角落也成了一个可以让人沉浸在自然和历史当中的理想之地。

这里还有一个独特的存在：健壮的阿斯图里亚斯奶牛，在温暖的月份，它们会在周围的绿草地上安静地吃草。这些适应了山地气候的奶牛象征着阿斯图里亚斯乡村生活的精髓。毫无疑问，这里是自然与历史完美交织的地方。快来探索阿斯图里亚斯的这个角落吧，这里的每一处风景都会向您诉说一个难忘的故事！

水晶码头的圣诞树，太平洋海滩，加利福尼亚州，美国 Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, San Diego, California (© SamAntonioPhotography/Getty Images)

冲浪、沙滩和圣诞老人 Surf, sand, and Santa

水晶码头的圣诞树，圣地亚哥，加利福尼亚州

圣诞老人有足够的跑道可以降落，但要想光临你家的烟囱，那就只能祝你好运了。今天，我们在加利福尼亚州圣地亚哥的太平洋海滩为圣诞节做准备。虽然这里可能不会下雪，但在阳光明媚的南加州，圣诞节前仍然充满了节日气氛。在圣地亚哥的圣诞小径上，有许多美丽的圣诞树，其中一棵20英尺高的圣诞树位于装饰一新的水晶码头尽头。

Christmas tree on Crystal Pier, San Diego, California

Santa has plenty of runway to land his sleigh, but good luck trying to find a chimney. Today, we're getting ready for Christmas at Pacific Beach in San Diego, California. While it might not snow here, there's still plenty of yuletide spirit leading up to Christmas in sunny Southern California. Among many beautiful examples on San Diego's Christmas Tree Trail is the 20-foot tree at the end of a festively decorated Crystal Pier.

Stretching out 872 feet into the water, the pier has been a Pacific Beach icon since 1927. Once home to a ballroom and carnival-like midway, Crystal Pier has since become a mellower vacation destination and one of the few places on the West Coast with rental accommodations over the ocean. Open to the public during the day and 24/7 for hotel guests, the pier is an ideal place to take in panoramic coastal views, watch whales and surfers at play, do some fishing, or bathe in glorious coastal sunsets. Pacific Beach also has a lively restaurant, bar, and club scene if eggnog isn't your thing. There are certainly colder places to spend Christmas, but perhaps no place cooler than Crystal Pier.

满拉水库的雪景，日喀则，中国西藏自治区 Snow Scenery Of Manla Reservoir In Shigatse, Xizang Autonomous Region of China (© Zhang Zhenqi/VCG via Getty Images)

极致的冬日景色 The ultimate winter scenery

满拉水库，中国西藏自治区

冬至既有自然的内涵，也有人文的内涵。从自然角度看，冬至是二十四节气中的一个重要节气，冬至过后，我国各地气候进入最寒冷的阶段。从文化角度看，这一天也是中华民族的传统节日，全国各地都会举行不同的文化习俗来庆祝这个节气的到来。

今天图片中的，是位于中国西藏自治区的雪山和满拉水库。满拉水库位于西藏日喀则地区江孜县龙马乡境内年楚河上游,以灌溉、发电为主,兼有防洪、旅游等综合效益的大型水利建设项目。而满拉水库所在的日喀则地区正是珠穆朗玛峰所在地。这里的自然资源丰厚珍贵，并且拥有丰富的历史文化底蕴。

罗瓦涅米圣诞老人村，拉普兰，芬兰 Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland (© Smelov/Shutterstock)

圣诞老人要来镇上了 He's coming to town...

罗瓦涅米圣诞老人村，拉普兰，芬兰

圣诞老人村坐落在芬兰的罗瓦涅米，这是一个神奇的四季皆宜的旅游胜地，游客从这里可以进入到迷人的圣诞世界。这个村庄位于北极圈内，可为游客提供独一份的节日体验，比如见到圣诞老人本人或穿越北极圈线。儿童和成人都可以见到圣诞老人忠诚的驯鹿，探索一系列以圣诞节为主题的充满活力的景点，让所有年龄段的游客都能不虚此行。

罗瓦涅米位于芬兰拉普兰的中心地带，是该地区的首府。罗瓦涅米以其恍如仙境的冰雪森林和神奇的北极光而闻名，给游客提供了一个融合了独特自然美景和节日精神的旅行地。从白雪皑皑的森林到浓厚的节日氛围，罗瓦涅米一直等待着游客们前来体验它的魅力。无论你喜不喜欢圣诞节，罗瓦涅米的魅力都会让你惊叹不已。

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Nestled in Rovaniemi, Finland, Santa Claus Village is a magical year-round destination where visitors can enter the enchanting world of Christmas. Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this village offers unique experiences, like meeting Santa and his reindeer or stepping over the Arctic Circle line.

Rovaniemi is the capital of the Finnish Lapland region in the northernmost part of the country. Known for snowy forests and the northern lights, the town offers a blend of natural beauty and festive spirit. Whether you're on Team Christmas or Team Grinch, there's no way you won't be amazed by Rovaniemi's charm.

闪烁的小镇 Twinkle town

罗马尼亚的锡比乌圣诞市场

随着冬季寒潮来临，锡比乌市变成了一个令人眼花缭乱的假日仙境，这里有罗马尼亚最受欢迎的圣诞市场之一。锡比乌圣诞市场从11月底到1月初在中央广场举行。在今天的图片中，一串串闪闪发光的灯悬挂在广场上，形成了一个雨棚，使鹅卵石街道沐浴在温暖的节日光芒中。那里还有一棵灯火辉煌的圣诞树，周围是迷人的木屋，售卖各种各样的东西，不仅有手工制作的装饰品，还有当地制作的点心，比如罗马尼亚传统甜面包，芳香的热葡萄酒，还有撒上盐的热脆饼。

锡比乌本身就是一个历史悠久的地方，以其保存完好的中世纪建筑、色彩缤纷的外墙和充满活力的文化景观而闻名。它曾是德国移民在12世纪建立的最富有城市，2007年被指定为欧洲文化之都。在圣诞节期间，锡比乌的光芒更加明亮，旋转木马，溜冰场和各种表演使这座城市充满活力。

Sibiu Christmas market, Romania

As the winter chill sets in, the city of Sibiu transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland as it hosts one of Romania's most popular Christmas markets. The Sibiu Christmas Market, known in Romanian as Târgul de Crăciun din Sibiu, is held in the central square from the end of November until early January. Sparkling strings of lights drape across the square, seen in today's image, creating a canopy that bathes the cobblestone streets in a warm, festive glow. There also stands a beautifully lit Christmas tree, surrounded by charming wooden huts selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to locally made treats like cozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet bread; vin fiert, an aromatic mulled wine; and covrigi, a type of pretzel served warm and sprinkled with salt.

Sibiu itself is a place steeped in history, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, colorful facades, and vibrant cultural scene. Once the wealthiest city founded by German settlers in the 12th century, it was designated the European Capital of Culture for 2007. During the Christmas season, Sibiu shines even brighter, with carousels, ice skating rinks, and performances that bring the city to life.

值得爱慕的海岸 A shore to adore

传统红色渔民小屋，雷讷，挪威

普通的海滨小屋——雷讷的红色小木屋在这里抢尽风头。雷讷是挪威罗弗敦群岛最美丽的地方之一，是一个约有300人居住的渔村。自1775年以来，这里一直是一个贸易站，如今已从商业中心发展成为备受青睐的旅游胜地。村子的海滨两边是传统的渔民小屋，称为“rorbu”或“rorbuer”，如今天的图片所示，这些小屋大多是红色的。这里曾经是渔民的重要住所，如今已成为受游客欢迎的住宿地。1999年，德国画家英戈·库尔在雷讷的一座小木屋里设立了临时工作室，他在这里描绘了高耸山脉衬托下的海港景色。这个村庄真正的亮点在冬季，在这个季节，你有机会看到北极光在夜空中闪烁。

Traditional red fishermen's cabins, Reine, Norway

Step aside, regular beach houses—Reine's little red cabins are here to steal the show. One of the prettiest places in the Lofoten Islands of Norway, Reine is a fishing village with a population of around 300. A trading post since 1775, it has evolved from a commercial hub to become a sought-after tourist destination. The village's waterfront is lined with the traditional cabins called rorbu or rorbuer that are seen in today's image. Once occupied by fishermen, these cabins are now popular tourist rentals. In 1999, German painter Ingo Kühl set up a pop-up studio in a rorbu in Reine, where he painted scenes of the harbor framed by the towering mountain range. This village truly shines in winter, when you can see the northern lights twinkling in the night sky.

星空迷