国王岩堡垒 , 瑞士撒克逊, 德国 Königstein Fortress, Saxon Switzerland, Germany (© Bildagentur-online/Exss/Alamy)

雪与石 Snow and Stone

国王岩堡垒，瑞士撒克逊，德国

作为欧洲最壮观的山地要塞之一，它耸立于易北砂岩山脉之巅。历史记录显示，1233年波希米亚国王温塞斯拉斯一世的文件首次提及这座堡垒，当时称其为施泰因的总督堡，推测即为国王岩堡垒。当时，这片区域属于波希米亚王国。16世纪，这座城堡经过大规模扩建，逐步发展为萨克森州立要塞。1566年至1569年，堡内建造了一口深达152.5米的井，这也是德国最深的历史古井之一，标志着要塞发展的重要里程碑。此外，首位国家囚犯马丁·米鲁斯博士的囚禁，揭开了堡垒作为监狱的历史篇章。

德累斯顿五月起义期间，国王岩堡垒再次成为萨克森王室的避难所。起义被镇压后，革命者被囚禁于要塞的国家监狱。一战和二战期间，这里曾被用作大型战俘营。1955年后，要塞被用作青少年犯罪改造中心，随后开放为博物馆，吸引无数游客参观。冬季，国王岩堡垒化身童话般的冰雪仙境，冰霜将古老城墙装点得晶莹剔透，宛如艺术品。这座自然与人文交融的瑰宝，曾启发德国画家卡斯帕·大卫·弗里德里希创作名画《雾海上的旅人》。

罗兰多山口，奥德萨和佩迪多山国家公园，西班牙 La Brecha de Rolando, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain (© Inaki Relanzon/Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Photo)

再次冲向战斗 Once more unto the breach

罗兰缺口，西班牙

在比利牛斯山脉高处，有一个山间缺口，罗兰缺口。这道缺口高约300 多英尺，宽 131 英尺，是令人惊叹的自然奇观。那么罗兰是谁？他是公元八世纪查理曼大帝统治时期的法兰克军事领袖。传说他在战败后用剑在山脉砍出一个缺口，有人说是为了毁掉自己的宝剑，也有人说是为了最后再看一眼祖国法兰西。

罗兰缺口位于西班牙的奥德萨和佩迪杜山国家公园，紧邻法国边界。公园面积超过38,000英亩，以壮观的石灰岩地貌闻名。公园包括四个各具特色的山谷和一座海拔超过11,000英尺的蒙特佩尔杜山峰。这座山峰还拥有自己的冰川蒙特佩尔杜冰川，为比利牛斯山脉第四大冰川。这片崎岖的山区栖息着丰富的野生动物，包括野猪、比利牛斯羚羊和棕熊。这里既是地质奇观，也是一片野生动植物的天堂。

Roland's Breach, Spain

High up in the Pyrenees, there is a gap in the mountains. More than 300 feet tall and 131 feet across, La Brecha de Rolando (Roland's Breach), featured here today, is a sight to behold. But who was Roland? Count Roland was a Frankish military leader during Charlemagne's reign in the 8th century. Legend has it that, after being defeated in battle, Roland cut a gap in the mountains—either to destroy his sword or to catch one last glimpse of France.

Roland's Breach lies within the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain, right on the border with France. Covering more than 38,000 acres, the park is home to some spectacular limestone formations. It's made up of four different valleys and one peak—Monte Perdido—which towers more than 11,000 feet above sea level. It even has its own glacier, the Monte Perdido glacier, which is the fourth largest in the Pyrenees. A wide range of animals live in this mountainous landscape, including wild boars, Pyrenean chamois, and brown bears.

南京夫子庙的春节许愿牌，江苏省，中国 (© lazy dragon/Shutterstock)

春节快乐！

大年初一，中国春节

春节，是中国民间最隆重也最富有特色的传统节日之一。春节期间的民俗众多，活动内容也是丰富多彩，且具有重要的历史、艺术和文化价值。其中逛庙会、赏灯会，更是春节最具特色的民俗活动之一。

今天的照片是南京夫子庙的一块红色木匾，上面写着“福”字。南京夫子庙是中国四大文庙之一，是中国最大的传统古集市之一，也是中国著名的对外开放的国家5A级旅游景区和国际旅游度假区。每年春节至元宵节期间，人们不仅到夫子庙祈福，还会来这里赏灯、看画舫。

南京夫子庙灯会又称“金陵灯会”，是南京地区流行的一种独特的民间文化活动，早在南朝时期就有，其盛况为全国之最。如今这里也是民间重要的文化活动场所，长期以来，这里已经成为秦淮文化的重要组成部分。春节期间，如果想感受秦淮地区的文化，一定要来这里。

夜空中的烟花表演，长沙，湖南省，中国 Fireworks display on night sky, Changsha, Hunan, China (© Sino Images/Getty Images)

祝您阖家欢乐，万事如意！ Wish you a happy family and all the best!

中国的除夕夜

今天是除夕夜，中国农历"龙年"的最后一天。“年”称为“岁除”，那天晚上叫“除夕”。它与新年首尾相连，是除旧迎新的重要时间交界点。岁除之日，民间尤为重视，家家户户忙忙碌碌或清扫庭舍，除旧布新，张灯结彩，家人相聚，共同来迎接新的一年。

吃年夜饭是除夕夜一家人最热闹最开心的时刻。除夕夜，丰盛的年菜摆上一桌，一家人团聚在一起吃团圆饭，幸福美满。

琐罗亚斯德神庙，大峡谷国家公园，亚利桑那州，美国 Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (© Nick Lake/Tandem Stills + Motion)

激发你的好奇心 Peaked your curiosity

琐罗亚斯德神庙，大峡谷国家公园，亚利桑那州

大峡谷的岩层记录了地球近20亿年的历史，这些岩层由科罗拉多河长期侵蚀形成。尽管地质学家对大峡谷的形成过程仍存在一些争议，但最新研究表明，科罗拉多河大约在500万到600万年前开始在这一地区开凿出河道。从那时起，这条河流不断加深和拓宽峡谷，最终塑造出如今壮观的地质奇观。

如今，大峡谷不仅是一条宏伟的峡谷，更是壮丽景观的象征。这里还拥有许多令人惊叹的地质奇观，比如今日图片中的琐罗亚斯德神庙。这座高达7123英尺的山峰位于亚利桑那州科科尼诺县。其名称取自古代伊朗先知琐罗亚斯德，由美国摄影师乔治·沃顿·詹姆斯和地质学家克拉伦斯·达顿命名。1958年9月，里克·蒂德里克和戴夫·甘奇首次成功登顶琐罗亚斯德神庙。这一壮举不仅成为大峡谷首例技术性攀登，也激发了登山者对顶峰的热情，将这里变成热门攀登胜地。

Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Carved by the Colorado River, nearly 2 billion years of Earth's history are exposed in the layers of the Grand Canyon. While geologists continue to debate parts of the formation story of the canyon, recent studies suggest the river carved its path through the region about 5 to 6 million years ago. Since then, the river has been deepening and widening the canyon while sculpting its dramatic geographic features.

Today, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a massive chasm with exceptional vistas. It's home to some stunning geographic features, like Zoroaster Temple, featured in today's image. This towering 7,123-foot summit is in Coconino County, Arizona. The peak was named after the ancient Iranian prophet Zoroaster by George Wharton James, an American photographer and journalist, and Clarence Dutton, an American geologist. Rick Tidrick and Dave Ganci made the first summit ascent of Zoroaster Temple in September 1958. This triumph marked the Grand Canyon's first technical climb, turning it into a hotspot and igniting a wave of summit-chasing climbers.

比利时的欧洲山毛榉森林 European beech forest in Belgium (© Philippe Moes/Minden Pictures)

优雅地老去 Aging gracefully

欧洲山毛榉森林，比利时

山毛榉树堪称大自然的奇迹。虽然全球有多个品种，但在欧洲，欧洲山毛榉尤为引人注目。正如今日图片展示的比利时森林，欧洲山毛榉以光滑的灰色树皮、短粗的树干和宽展的枝条脱颖而出。这种树生长于温带地区，偏爱排水良好、土壤肥沃的环境，通常需30年才能成熟。欧洲山毛榉树高可达160英尺，不仅是森林的主角，其木材还广泛用于制作家具、地板和厨房工具，以坚固耐用闻名。

黑熊、狐狸、松鼠、花栗鼠和老鼠等野生动物也喜爱山毛榉。尽管其果实略带苦味，却是各种小动物的美食。冬季，比利时的山毛榉森林愈发迷人。山毛榉粗壮的枝干在冬日变得光秃，整片森林仿佛被冰雪覆盖，化作宁静仙境。无论是悠闲散步还是呼吸清新空气，这里都是理想去处。

European beech forest, Belgium

Beech trees are pretty amazing. There are several species worldwide, but the European beech steals the spotlight in much of Europe. With its smooth gray bark, short trunk, and sweeping branches, this tree is a standout in Belgium's forests, as shown in today's image. It grows in temperate regions and prefers well-drained, fertile soils, taking up to 30 years to mature. Not only do these 160-foot-tall trees dominate the landscape, but their wood is also used to make some of the sturdiest furniture, flooring, and even kitchen tools.

Wildlife such as black bears, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice love them too—beech nuts, though slightly bitter, provide a feast for all kinds of critters. In winter, the beech forests in Belgium become even more enchanting. The trees' big, sprawling branches go bare, and whole forests transform into quiet, frosty wonderlands—perfect for a peaceful stroll or simply soaking up some fresh air.

波尔图，葡萄牙 Porto, Portugal (© Starcevic/Getty Images)

波尔图的黄金时刻 Golden hour in Porto

波尔图，葡萄牙

今日图片带我们走进一座大胆而质朴，却充满魅力的城市。虽然波尔图以波特酒闻名，但这座葡萄牙城市还有更多值得探索的地方。漫步波尔图街头，你会注意到装饰着锡釉陶瓷砖的建筑。这种彩绘釉面瓷砖在葡萄牙和西班牙十分常见。此外，历史悠久的圣弗朗西斯科教堂和横跨蜿蜒杜罗河的标志性建筑——路易一世大桥，都令人印象深刻。

波尔图的历史可追溯到罗马时代，作为重要的贸易枢纽，这座城市的历史影响深远。这里文化底蕴深厚，从悠扬的法朵音乐到热闹的市场，再到一年一度的圣若昂节，都让人沉浸其中。街头艺术随处可见，别具一格的书店和咖啡馆更是增添了探索的乐趣。美食爱好者还可以尽情享用一种叫做“法国小女孩”的波尔图特色三明治，或品尝新鲜的海鲜，再配上一杯当地的葡萄酒，尽享味蕾盛宴。

Porto, Portugal

Today's image takes us to a city that is bold, unpolished in the best way, and brimming with personality. While it's famous for its port wine (cheers to that!), there's so much more to discover in the Portuguese city of Porto. As you walk through its streets, you'll notice façades adorned with azulejos—painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework found in Portugal and Spain—historic churches like São Francisco, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, which spans the Douro River, which runs through the city.

Porto's roots go back to Roman times, and its role as a key trading hub has greatly influenced its modern identity. Culture runs deep here, from the soulful sounds of fado music to the lively markets and annual festivals like Festa de São João do Porto. Street art surprises you at every turn, and quirky bookstores and cafes make exploring a delight. Food lovers can indulge in the famous francesinha, a hearty sandwich, or enjoy fresh seafood paired with a glass of local wine.

冰岛的史托克间歇泉 Strokkur geyser in Iceland (© John and Tina Reid/Getty Images)

力量沸腾 Bubbling with power

臭食节：冰岛的仲冬节

还有什么比一场充满乐趣与野性的盛宴更能温暖寒冬呢？臭食节作为冰岛的冬至节，邀请人们深入体验传统文化。这一庆祝活动围绕生存、文化和社区展开，可追溯至维京时代，当时冰岛人用它祭祀雷神托尔。如今，人们聚在一起，通过享用发酵鲨鱼肉、熏羊肉、黑麦面包及‘黑死神’布伦尼温烈酒等当地美食来庆祝这一节日。

图片中的斯特罗克尔间歇泉则以另一种方式温暖着冬天。它位于赫维塔河旁的地热区，每隔 6 至 10 分钟喷发一次，热水可喷射至49到66英尺的高空，自1963年以来持续活跃。其喷发原理是地壳下的岩浆加热地下水，压力逐渐增大，最终将热水爆发式喷射到地表。无论是索拉布洛特的庆典，还是斯特罗克尔间歇泉的喷发，它们都展现了冰岛顽强不屈的精神：一种体现在人民身上，另一种根植于土地之中。

Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival

What could be better than warming up winter with a feast that's a little wild and a lot of fun? Thorrablot, Iceland's midwinter festival, invites you to dive headfirst into tradition. This celebration of survival, culture, and community, which dates to the Viking Age, was once a way for Icelanders to honor Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Today, people celebrate by gathering to feast on an array of local delicacies, including fermented shark, smoked lamb, rye bread, and shots of Brennivín—often called 'black death' schnapps.

Strokkur geyser—featured in the image—warms up winter in a completely different way. Located in the geothermal area beside the Hvítá River, this geyser erupts every 6 to 10 minutes, shooting hot water 49 to 66 feet into the air. It has been consistently active since 1963. There is science behind its eruption—magma beneath the Earth's crust heats groundwater until the pressure builds up, forcing the water explosively to the surface. Both Thorrablot and Strokkur celebrate Iceland's resilience—one through its people and the other through its land.

黄昏时的鹿谷，帕克城，犹他州，美国 Deer Valley at dusk, Park City, Utah (© Adventure_Photo/Getty Images)

电影、山脉和魔法 Movies, mountains, and magic

鹿谷，帕克城，犹他州，美国

今天，圣丹斯电影节拉开帷幕，以犹他州的群山为背景，庆祝电影的魅力。电影节的中心是帕克城，它是圣丹斯活力四射的主办城市之一，活动在犹他州的多个地点举行。每年一月，这个宁静的旅游胜地都会变成一个热闹的创意中心，吸引来自世界各地的电影制作人和电影爱好者。除了银幕，帕克城也值得一游。这里拥有迷人的风景、鹿谷和帕克城山等顶级滑雪胜地，以及无尽的户外探险活动，从徒步旅行、骑自行车到泡温泉，应有尽有。无论你是来看电影还是寻求刺激，帕克城圣丹斯电影节都将为你带来难忘的体验。

Sundance Film Festival

Today, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off, celebrating the magic of movies against the backdrop of Utah's mountains. As a launchpad for groundbreaking films and emerging talent, Sundance has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1978. Now one of the film industry's most influential events, it has introduced the world to talents like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh, whose early works premiered here before shaping their iconic careers. With competitive sections for dramatic and documentary movies, from features to shorts, the festival offers an inspiring array of storytelling.

At its heart is Park City, pictured here, one of Sundance's vibrant host cities—the event takes place across several Utah locations. Every January, this quaint destination transforms into a buzzing hub of creativity, drawing filmmakers and cinephiles from across the globe. Beyond the silver screen, Park City is worth exploring. It boasts stunning landscapes, top-tier ski resorts like Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, and endless outdoor adventures, from hiking and biking to soaking in nearby hot springs. Whether you're here for the films or the thrills, Sundance in Park City promises an unforgettable experience.

代尔修道院，佩特拉，约旦 Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan (© Punnawit Suwuttananun/Getty Images)

在失落之城发现美 Finding beauty in the Lost City

代尔修道院，佩特拉，约旦

佩特拉及其皇冠上的明珠——代尔修道院，雕凿在玫瑰色的悬崖峭壁上，让人仿佛置身于电影《印第安纳琼斯》的探险场景中。这座古城坐落在约旦干旱沙漠地貌的中心，曾在公元前2世纪作为纳巴泰王国的首都而繁荣一时。它还是香料贸易的枢纽，连接着中国、埃及、希腊和印度等遥远地区。

今天图片中的代尔修道院可追溯到公元1世纪。其设计融合了希腊风格和美索不达米亚风格。尽管对该建筑的确切用途还存在争议，但普遍认为它在拜占庭时期被用作教堂。这座建筑高近150英尺，宽160英尺，巨大的外墙直接雕刻在砂岩悬崖上，展示了纳巴泰人巧夺天工的工艺和建筑艺术。要到达这座地标性建筑，需徒步攀登800级陡峭的石阶，在岩石地形中蜿蜒前行。尽管攀登的过程有些艰辛，但到达山顶后，你可以俯瞰佩特拉崎岖山谷的全貌，一切努力在此刻都会非常值得。

Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan

Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra and its crown jewel, Ad-Deir (The Monastery) feel like stepping into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. Tucked in the heart of Jordan's arid desert landscapes, this ancient city once thrived as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BCE. It was also a hub of the spice trade, connecting distant regions like China, Egypt, Greece, and India. The city was abandoned for around 500 years before being rediscovered in 1812, earning it the Lost City moniker.

Ad-Deir, seen in today's image, dates to the 1st century CE. Its design is characterized by a combination of Hellenistic and Mesopotamian influences. Although the exact purpose of the structure is debated, it's believed to have been used as a church during the Byzantine period. Standing nearly 150 feet tall and 160 feet wide, its massive facade is carved directly into the sandstone cliffs, showcasing the Nabataeans' ingenious craftsmanship and architecture. The journey to this landmark involves a steep hike up 800 stone steps, winding through rocky terrain. At the top, you're rewarded with panoramic views of the rugged Petra valley that make the climb more than worth it.