2025年2月

虎穴寺，不丹 Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Bhutan (© Baron Reznik/Getty Images)

在虎穴小憩 Have a rest at the Tiger's Nest

虎穴寺，不丹

今日图片带我们来到不丹海拔10000英尺的虎穴寺，这座佛教寺院和圣地也被称为帕罗虎穴寺，它建于1692年，围绕塔克桑森给桑杜普洞穴而建。据传，这里是莲花生大师修行和传授金刚乘佛教给弟子的地方，他是将该教派引入不丹的重要人物。帕罗虎穴寺由四座主殿组成，主殿之间通过凿刻在悬崖上的阶梯相连，并有几座摇摇欲坠的吊桥横跨其中。

莱奇湖上的斯托克尔城堡，阿盖尔郡，苏格兰 Castle Stalker on Loch Laich, Argyll, Scotland (© WLDavies/Getty Images)

苏格兰战略的最佳体现 Scottish strategy at its finest

斯托克城堡，阿盖尔郡，苏格兰

斯托克尔城堡巍然屹立于阿盖尔莱奇湖的潮汐小岛上，是苏格兰保存最完好、最具风景美感的中世纪塔式城堡之一。它由阿平的斯图尔特家族于1440 年代左右建造，历史上曾迎来王室造访，甚至因一场醉酒赌局短暂易主至坎贝尔家族。尽管到了 19 世纪时已破败不堪，但在 20 世纪中期，这座城堡经历了精心修复，如今仍为私人所有。在夏季，游客可在特定的导游带领下览游探索这座历史遗址。

“斯托克尔”这一名称源自盖尔语“Stalcaire”，意为“猎人”或“驯鹰人”。然而，这座城堡之所以广为人知，不仅因其独特的外观，还因其在流行文化中的亮相。斯托克尔城堡曾出现在电影《巨蟒与圣杯》以及英剧《黑镜》的《亨利湖》一集中。现在想起来了吗？斯托克城堡坐落于风景如画的洛恩湾国家风景区，是苏格兰悠久历史的永恒象征。

Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland

Perched dramatically on a tidal islet in Loch Laich, Argyll, Castle Stalker is one of Scotland's most picturesque and well-preserved medieval tower houses. Built around the 1440s by the Stewarts of Appin, its history includes royal visits and even a drunken wager that briefly transferred ownership to Clan Campbell. After falling into disrepair by the 19th century, it was lovingly restored in the mid-20th century and is still privately owned today. Visitors can explore this historic site on selected guided tours during the summer.

Its name, 'Stalker,' comes from the Scottish Gaelic 'Stalcaire,' meaning 'hunter' or 'falconer.' And while its striking appearance is certainly memorable, its fame may actually stem from another reason: Castle Stalker has captured imaginations in popular culture, appearing in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and the 'Black Mirror' episode 'Loch Henry.' Does it ring a bell now? Nestled in the scenic Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area, it's an enduring symbol of Scotland's storied past.

卢瓦尔河畔叙利城堡, 卢瓦尔中心省, 法国 Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Center-Val de Loire, France

屹立不倒 Standing strong

卢瓦尔河畔叙利城堡, 卢瓦尔中心省, 法国

如果你是历史爱好者，又喜欢一点跌宕起伏的戏剧故事，那么位于法国北部中心的卢瓦尔河畔叙利城堡一定不会让你失望。这座城堡经历了战乱、权力更迭以及皇室恩怨，承载着波澜壮阔的法国历史。这座中世纪城堡始建于 14 世纪，最初用于守护卢瓦尔河，并控制通往该地区的战略通道。随着时间的推移，城堡逐渐演变为贵族住所，最著名的主人之一是叙利公爵马克西米利安·德·贝蒂讷，他曾是亨利四世国王最信赖的大臣之一。在1562 年至 1598 年的法国宗教战争期间，城堡发挥了重要作用，并见证了无数政治斗争与外交谈判。1940 年二战期间，城堡的城墙被炮弹击中，留下巨大的弹孔，但整体结构依然完好无损。

如今，经过多次修复后，城堡已向游客开放，欢迎人们前来探索它的悠久历史。它同时也是法国文艺复兴建筑的典范。游客可以探索宏伟的塔楼、厚重的石墙，以及曾经保护城堡免受外敌侵袭的美丽护城河。修复后的内部装饰陈列着古典家具和历史文物，让人得以一窥中世纪贵族的生活。导游将带领游客深入了解城堡在地方历史与国家历史中的关键作用。在坚固的石墙之外，城堡周围的公园同样静谧宜人，是适合游客休憩放松的景观，同时还能欣赏卢瓦尔河的美景。

Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Center-Val de Loire, France

If you're a lover of history with a dash of drama, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, in the center of northern France, has you covered. This fortress has seen it all—battles, power shifts, and royal connections. Originally built in the 14th century, the medieval castle was designed to guard the Loire River and control access to the region. Over time, it evolved into a residence for nobility, most notably serving as the home of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, who was a trusted minister of King Henry IV. The castle played a significant role during the French Wars of Religion from 1562 to 1598 and has witnessed countless moments of intrigue and diplomacy. In 1940, during World War II, the castle wall was hit by shells, creating massive holes, but the framework remained intact.

Today, after multiple restorations, the castle welcomes visitors eager to uncover its history. It also stands as an example of French Renaissance architecture. Visitors can explore the imposing towers, thick stone walls, and the beautiful moat that once protected the castle from invaders. The restored interiors feature authentic furniture and artifacts, offering a window into medieval life. Guided tours provide insights into the castle's role in shaping regional and national history. Beyond the stone walls, the surrounding park is an inviting space for explorers to unwind and take in the views of the Loire River.

砂岩石柱，布莱斯峡谷国家公园，犹他州，美国 Sandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (© Stephen Matera/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

风蚀石们的问候 Hoodoo you do?

布莱斯峡谷 国家公园，犹他州，美国

在美国犹他州，布莱斯峡谷国家公园以其壮观的砂岩迷宫和独特的岩柱景观闻名于世。这里的历史可追溯至少10,000年前，曾是阿纳齐族人、普韦布洛人和派尤特人的家园。公园里的岩柱是由侵蚀作用形成的高耸岩石尖塔，在派尤特部落的创世神话中占据重要地位。根据传说，这些岩柱曾是“传说中的人”，因狡猾的郊狼施下的诅咒而化为石头。

18世纪末至19世纪初，首批欧洲裔美国人抵达这一地区，并在1850年代开始定居。布莱斯峡谷的名字源自埃比尼泽·布莱斯这一位早期定居者，他在峡谷附近拥有一块土地。1928 年的今天，布莱斯峡谷正式被指定为国家公园。如今，该公园以岩柱闻名，每年吸引超过 200 万游客前来欣赏这一地质奇观。事实上，布莱斯峡谷国家公园拥有地球上最密集的岩柱群，为游客提供了一场视觉盛宴。

Anniversary of Bryce Canyon National Park

A breathtaking maze of sandstone formations and awe-inspiring views awaits you at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. People have lived in this area for at least 10,000 years, including the Anasazi, Pueblo, and Paiute Peoples. The hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion—in the park inspired Paiute mythology: They believed them to be the Legend People turned to stone by the trickster Coyote.

The first European Americans arrived in the area in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and some eventually settled there in the 1850s. Bryce Canyon was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who had a homestead nearby. On this date in 1928, Bryce was declared a national park. These days, the park is famous for its hoodoos. Every year, over 2 million visitors come to marvel at these geological formations. In fact, Bryce Canyon National Park has the highest concentration of hoodoos anywhere on Earth.

日出时分的富士山, 河口湖, 日本 Mount Fuji at sunrise, Lake Kawaguchi, Japan (© Twenty47studio/Getty Images)

清晨的美好精 Wind of Fuji, my souvenir from Edo

富士山，日本

在东京西南约 60 英里处，矗立着日本的文化象征之一：富士山。这座日本最高峰海拔近12,000英尺，其近乎完美对称的火山锥，每年约有五个月被积雪覆盖，形成壮丽景观。几个世纪以来，富士山一直被视为神圣之山。在神道信仰中，富士山被奉为本宫浅间大社的圣山，并在其视野范围内建有供奉它的神社。

Mount Fuji Day

Around 60 miles southwest of Tokyo stands one of Japan's cultural icons: Mount Fuji. The country's tallest mountain rises 12,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, with its near-symmetrical cone covered in snow for nearly five months each year. For centuries, Fujisan—as it is known in Japanese—has been worshiped as a sacred mountain. In the Shinto faith, Fuji is deified as Asama no Okami, and shrines dedicated to it are built within sight of the mountain.

February 23 is celebrated as Mount Fuji Day (富士山の日) because the word 'Fujisan' can be interpreted as '2, 2, 3.' Although it's not a national holiday, people often take the opportunity to learn more about this majestic peak. It's also a day to reflect on the future of the mountain, and how it can be preserved for future generations. Every year, more than 300,000 people climb Mount Fuji, and overtourism has become a real concern.

圣路易斯拱门, 密苏里州, 美国 The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (© f11photo/Getty Images)

向辉煌迈进 Bending towards brilliance

圣路易斯的大拱门，密苏里州

今天，我们庆祝圣路易斯市密苏里州拱门国家公园成立周年纪念日，该公园于2018 年2月22日正式设立，坐落在风景如画的密西西比河沿岸，旨在纪念托马斯·杰斐逊提出的“大陆国家”构想。公园的核心是圣路易斯拱门，这座令人惊叹的630英尺高的建筑已成为圣路易斯的终极象征。拱门采用不锈钢建造，是世界上最高的拱门，也是密苏里州最高的可进入建筑。芬兰裔美国建筑师埃罗·沙里宁于1947年构思出这一设计，并在1965年10月28日正式落成，实现了他的愿景。这座拱门的未来主义设计长期以来被视为汽车时代的象征，代表着现代都市景观与技术进步带来的未来希望。

Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri

Today we are celebrating the anniversary of Gateway National Park, which was established on February 22, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri. The park, which lies along a picturesque stretch of the Mississippi River, commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s idea of a continental nation. At its heart stands the Gateway Arch, a breathtaking 630-foot-tall structure that has become the ultimate symbol of St. Louis. Constructed of stainless steel, it holds the distinction of being the world's tallest arch and Missouri's tallest accessible structure. Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen dreamed up the design back in 1947, and by October 28, 1965, his vision had been brought to life. The arch's futuristic design has long been viewed as a symbol of the automobile era, representing the modern, urban landscape, and the promise of a technologically advanced future.

希莫加附近的 Champaka Sarasi 池塘，卡纳塔克邦，印度 Champaka Sarasi pond near Shivamogga, Karnataka, India (© Amith Nag Photography/Getty Images)

静水流深的传说 A tale of still waters

Champaka Sarasi，希莫加，印度

从瀑布到寺庙，位于印度南部卡纳塔克邦的希瓦莫加，拥有众多等待探索的奇观。这座城市历史悠久，在印度史诗《罗摩衍那》和《摩诃婆罗多》中均有提及。这两部史诗以诗歌形式创作，背景设定在印度古代印度教王国。希瓦莫加这个名字本身具有宗教意义，源自梵语“Shiva-Mukha”，意为“湿婆的面容”，湿婆是印度教三大主神之一。这里有许多寺庙，包括供奉湿婆的沙拉瓦蒂寺，以及位于科达查德里山的一座寺庙，登临此地可俯瞰西高止山脉的壮丽景色。

今日图片中展示的Champaka Sarasi，是一座历史悠久的纪念性池塘。它所承载的故事远不止于平静的水面。这座池塘由凯拉迪纳王朝的重要统治者之一的文卡塔帕·纳亚卡建造，以纪念他的爱妻占帕卡。池塘中央还有一座小型石庙，里面供奉着湿婆林伽，这是对湿婆的抽象或非具象描绘。希瓦莫加还以壮丽的瀑布闻名，其中最著名的是印度第二高的垂直瀑布，乔格瀑布。

Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India

From waterfalls to temples, Shivamogga, in the South Indian state of Karnataka, offers experiences waiting to be discovered. Steeped in timeless lore, the city is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, epics composed as poems and set in the ancient Hindu kingdoms of India. The region's name itself holds a spiritual significance, derived from the Sanskrit words 'Shiva-Mukha,' meaning the 'face of Shiva,' the Hindu god. It is home to several temples, including the Sharavati Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and a temple in the Kodachadri hills that offers vistas of the Western Ghats mountain range.

Adding to this landscape is Champaka Sarasi, the monumental pond featured in today's image. It tells a story far beyond its waters. It was built by Venkatappa Nayaka, a member of the Nayakas of Keladi, an important ruling dynasty of early modern Karnataka. The pond was constructed in memory of the king's beloved wife, Champaka. It also has a small stone temple at its center, housing a Shiva linga, an abstract or non-figurative depiction of Shiva. Shivamogga is also renowned for its waterfalls, including Jog Falls, the second-highest plunge waterfall in India.

无尽的蓝色 Endless blue

大蓝洞，伯利兹

大蓝洞位于伯利兹海岸外的灯塔礁中心附近，是大自然最令人叹为观止的杰作之一。这个巨大的海洋天坑直径1043英尺，深407英尺，形成于上一次冰河时期。当时，一座多孔疏松的石灰岩穹顶因重力与地震等作用坍塌，巧合地形成一个圆形竖井。随着冰雪消融、海平面升高，海水倒灌入竖井，最终形成这一引人注目的奇特景观。

1971年，海洋探险家雅克·伊夫·库斯托让大蓝洞声名鹊起，如今这里已成为世界顶级水肺潜水胜地之一。潜水者纷至沓来，只为一睹其清澈见底的海水、壮观的钟乳石及丰富的海洋生物，如护士鲨、珊瑚礁鲨和巨型石斑鱼。在深度超过300英尺的地方，存在一层神秘的硫化氢层，形成无生命的黑暗区域，这既毛骨悚然又令人着迷。无论是冒险家还是自然爱好者，大蓝洞都是不可错过的奇观，展现了我们星球的美丽与神秘。

The Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole, found near the center of Lighthouse Reef off the coast of Belize, is one of nature's most incredible creations. The massive marine sinkhole, 1,043 feet across and 407 feet deep, was formed during the last ice age when a limestone cave system collapsed and rising sea levels flooded the area, leaving behind a striking natural wonder.

Made famous by explorer Jacques Cousteau in 1971, the Great Blue Hole is now one of the world's top scuba diving destinations. Divers flock here to see its aquamarine waters, stalactites, and diverse marine life, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, and giant groupers. Beyond a depth of 300 feet, a mysterious layer of hydrogen sulfide creates a lifeless, dark zone—an eerie yet fascinating feature. Whether you're an adventurer or a nature lover, the Great Blue Hole is a must-see marvel that displays the beauty and mystery of our planet.

冰雪边界 An icy border

Coll d'Ares，加泰罗尼亚比利牛斯 山脉

阿雷斯山口位于海拔1,512米，是穿越雄伟比利牛斯山脉、连接西班牙和法国的山间通道。山口位于加泰罗尼亚里波列斯地区的莫洛与法国奥克西塔尼亚的普拉茨德莫洛拉普雷斯特之间。冬季，这里白雪皑皑，景色令人叹为观止。

阿雷斯山口的历史可追溯至878年，不仅是一条地理通道，更是连接文化与历史的桥梁。其名称源自拉丁语‘ara’，意为祭坛，唤起了古代用神圣石碑标记边界的记忆。在九年战争期间，这里曾是重要军事行动的舞台。

如今，阿雷斯山口已成为探索自然的独特目的地。无论是徒步旅行、欣赏全景风光，还是探索丰富的历史，阿雷斯山口都能让游客流连忘返。在此感受比利牛斯山脉的清新空气，尽情沉浸于这片神奇的土地中吧！

冰雪奇景 These are so nice-icle

三十槌冰柱，秩父市，日本

看，这就是日本秩父市的三十槌冰柱奇观！这道令人叹为观止的天然冰墙宽约98英尺，高约33英尺，由泉水沿岩壁流下结冰而成。这一景观每年仅在1月中旬至2月中旬开放，夜幕降临时还会点亮彩灯，仿佛置身于冬日童话世界。

距离东京仅两小时车程，这里是远离都市、欣赏大自然杰作、呼吸清新山间空气的绝佳去处。观赏完冰柱，不妨前往附近的大泷温泉泡温泉，这是当地人最爱的放松身心之地。秩父市的大部分地区位于或毗邻秩父多摩甲斐国立公园，观赏完点亮的冰柱后，还可继续探索周边丰富的自然景观。

The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan

Behold the magic of the Misotsuchi no Tsurara (Misotsuchi Icicles) in Chichibu, Japan. This breathtaking natural ice wall, nearly 100 feet wide and 35 feet tall, is formed by spring water freezing as it trickles down a rock face. The attraction is only open from mid-January through mid-February. Colored lights after dark create a scene that feels straight out of a winter fairy tale.

Just 2 hours from Tokyo, Chichibu is the perfect escape to enjoy nature's artistry and some fresh mountain air. Warm up after viewing the icicles with a soothing soak at the nearby Otaki Onsen, a popular hot spring, for relaxation. Since much of Chichibu sits in or near the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park, there’s abundant nature to see.

星空迷