暮色中的曼哈顿下城联合广场，纽约，美国 Union Square in lower Manhattan at twilight, New York (© Sean Pavone/Getty Images)

灯光，相机，纽约！ Lights, camera, New York!

联合广场，曼哈顿，纽约

“纵横交错的街道令人焕然一新，璀璨的霓虹灯让人热血沸腾。” 流行歌手艾丽西亚·凯斯在歌曲《帝国之心》中这样描述大苹果市（纽约的别称）的繁华与活力。今天，主页的图片将我们带到 “不夜城 ”的其中一个景点：曼哈顿下城的联合广场。在这个历史悠久的十字路口，您可以看到乔治·华盛顿的雕像，它是纽约市所有公园中最古老的雕像，以及雕塑家亨利·柯克·布朗创作的亚伯拉罕·林肯的雕像。1882年，工人们行使他们言论自由和集会自由的权利，在联合广场组织了第一次劳动节游行。正因如此，联合广场在美国劳工史上具有特殊的意义，1997年美国内政部将其认定为国家历史地标。时光飞逝，如今的曼哈顿更加繁华，当你漫步在街头，或许会在广场上看到街头棋手、音乐家、滑板爱好者、舞蹈团体和各类小贩。

Union Square, Manhattan

'These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you.' Alicia Keys sure knows how to serenade the vibrant, bustling life of the Big Apple. Today's homepage image takes us to Union Square in lower Manhattan. At this historic intersection, you can find statues of George Washington—the oldest statue in any park in NYC—and Abraham Lincoln, crafted by the sculptor Henry Kirke Brown. In 1882, workers exercised their rights to free speech and assembly, organizing the first Labor Day parade here. In 1997, Union Square was recognized as a National Historic Landmark due to its importance in US labor history. These days, you're more likely to see street chess players, musicians, skateboarders, dance crews, and vendors of all types in the square.

红球项目艺术装置，安特卫普中央车站, 比利时 The RedBall Project art installation, Centraal Station, Antwerp, Belgium (© Brit Worgan/Getty Images)

激发创造力 Bouncing into creativity

世界艺术日

“艺术是所有科学的女王，将知识传达给世界上的每一代人。”让我们在4月15日世界艺术日，也就是这位文艺复兴时期著名艺术家的生日，思考一下达的这些鼓舞人心的话。从他标志性的蒙娜丽莎画作到他详细的飞行机器草图，莱昂纳多在广泛的领域突破了知识和才华的界限。今天的主页展示了比利时安特卫普中央车站的红球项目。这个巡回公共艺术装置由美国艺术家Kurt Perschke创作，被认为是世界上运行时间最长的街头艺术作品。自2001年以来，这个15英尺高的充气红球已经被楔入从澳大利亚到英国的数十个国家的地标。

World Art Day

'Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.' Let’s ponder these inspirational words by Leonardo da Vinci on World Art Day, April 15, which was also the birthday of the renowned Renaissance artist. From his iconic painting of the Mona Lisa to his detailed sketches of flying machines, Leonardo pushed the boundaries of knowledge and talent in a wide range of fields. Today's homepage shows the RedBall Project at Centraal Station in Antwerp, Belgium. Created by the American artist Kurt Perschke, this traveling public art installation is considered to be the world's longest-running street artwork. Since 2001, the 15-foot inflated red ball has been wedged into dozens of landmarks in countries from Australia to England.

香波城堡，中央-卢瓦尔河谷大区，法国 (© Susanne Kremer/eStock Photo)

介于文艺复兴与独创性之间

香波城堡，法国

你知道香波城堡吗？这个古建筑是法国文艺复兴时期的一颗“明珠”，其建筑灵感来源于法国国王弗朗西斯一世和著名画家达·芬奇。香波城堡的设计者是谁一直存在争议，至今没有定论，但可以确定的是，它的建筑特色受到了达·芬奇的影响。1515年马里尼亚诺战役后，弗朗西斯一世被意大利壮丽的建筑吸引，倾慕于达·芬奇的才华，他邀请达·芬奇来到法国宫廷担任艺术家和总工程师。香波城堡的中心平面设计和双螺旋楼梯见证了这一非凡的合作。主楼是这座建筑的真正核心，它融合了中世纪的宏伟与文艺复兴时期的创新，展示出了一种独特的引人注目的建筑风格。时光流转，这座古老的建筑见证着荣耀与兴衰，艺术、历史和技术在这里相遇，为游客们创造出一种难忘的体验。

保龄球海滩的日落，门多西诺县，加利福尼亚，美国 Sunset on Bowling Ball Beach, Mendocino County, California (© Melo Qiao/Getty Images)

岩石保龄球 Rock 'n' bowl

保龄球海滩，加利福尼亚州

欢迎来到大自然的保龄球馆！位于加州门多西诺海岸的保龄球海滩以散布在海岸上的那些引人注目的岩石而命名。这些砂岩球（一种被称为结核的现象）是在数百万年的沉积过程中形成的，沉积层围绕着由矿物胶结物固定在一起的砂石核心堆积而成。侵蚀作用逐渐磨损了外层，露出我们今天看到的球形。这创造了一个只有在退潮时才会出现的迷人景象。这种砂岩球很罕见，人们对它们的来源有很多疯狂的猜测，有人认为它们是外星碎片，也有人怀疑它们是恐龙化石。然而，答案非常简单：这是大自然的力量在起作用。

Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino County, California

Welcome to nature's bowling alley. Bowling Ball Beach on the Mendocino Coast in California is named after the striking rock formations strewn across the shore. These sandstone balls—a phenomenon known as concretions—formed over millions of years as sedimentary layers built up around a central core of sand and stone held together by mineral cements. Erosion gradually wore away the outer layers to expose the spherical shapes we see today. This created a fascinating spectacle that only appears at low tide. Concretions are rare, and there has been plenty of wild speculation about where they come from, with some believing them to be extraterrestrial debris while others wonder if they are dinosaur fossils. The answer, however, is quite simple: It is the forces of nature at play.

春天的苹果树，德国 Apple trees in spring, Germany (© Smileus/Getty Images)

花开正满枝 Canopy of blossoms

春天的苹果树，德国

在这个风景如画的果园里，春天预示着苹果树的繁花盛开。当空气中的寒意开始消退，娇嫩的苹果花绽放了，释放出的甜美气息在整个乡村弥漫开来，标志着丰收进程的开始。苹果属于蔷薇科，以其清脆的口感和酸甜的味道而闻名，是世界上最受人喜爱的水果之一。这些果子有各种各样的颜色，从鲜艳的红色到金黄色以及亮绿色。从酸甜可口的“史密斯奶奶”到纯甜的富士苹果，每种苹果都有其独特的风味。苹果富含膳食纤维、抗氧化剂以及维生素C和维生素K等人体必需维生素，促进身体健康。无论你是喜欢吃新鲜的果肉，还是喜欢烘焙成甜品，抑或是压榨成苹果酒，苹果都是经典的美味佳肴。

拱门国家公园，犹他州，美国 Evening light over North Window with Turret Arch in the distance, Arches National Park, Utah (© Anthony Heflin/Shutterstock)

一座天然拱门 A work of arch

犹他州拱门国家公园

如果你想沉浸式感受在时光中漫步的滋味，拱门国家公园是一个绝佳的选择！该公园拥有2000多座天然石拱，数百座高大的尖塔、大型石鳍和巨大的平衡石，是世界上风景最优美的旅游胜地之一。在两平方英里左右的空间内囊括了不少壮丽景观，包括北窗拱门（最具人气的巨环之一），炮塔拱门和双拱门。而以伊甸园、大象丘（5653英尺高）和大象巡游等名字命名的景点对游客而言，则意味着这里永远不缺壮观的景色。

这个地区曾经是隐藏在数千英尺地下的广阔且干涸的海床。然而，随着时间的流逝，地质力量逐渐改变了这里的地貌，形成了我们今天看到的壮观景象。人类在这里探索和生活了数千年，大约2000年前，这个地区的游牧民族开始种植农作物。然而，因气候变化而加剧的环境问题最终导致了农耕活动的减少。

Arches National Park, Utah

If you fancy a stroll through time, Arches National Park is the perfect gateway! With over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of tall pinnacles, large rock fins, and giant balanced rocks, this park is among the world's most scenic destinations. In the popular Windows Section, covering just over 2 square miles, there are spectacular rock formations including North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. Others include Garden of Eden, Elephant Butte, a 5,653-foot summit, and Parade of Elephants, so visitors are never short of awesome sights to enjoy.

The region was once a vast dry seabed hidden beneath thousands of feet of earth but was gradually transformed by geological forces to become the spectacular space we see today. Humans have explored and lived in this area for millennia. Around 2,000 years ago, its nomadic inhabitants began to cultivate crops. However, environmental challenges, possibly aggravated by climate shifts, eventually led to a decline in farming activities.

丘伦梅鲁瀑布鸟瞰图，委内瑞拉 Aerial view of Churun-Meru (Dragon) waterfall, Venezuela (© AirPano LLC/Amazing Aerial Agency)

把梦想变成现实！ Don't just dream it, stream it!

龙瀑布，委内瑞拉

在荒野的中心地带，一个令人敬畏的景象从山上倾泻而下，这就是委内瑞拉的丘伦梅鲁瀑布！该瀑布也被称为龙瀑布，位于奥扬特普伊山峡谷南端的一个狭长地带，在雨季会与一条邻近的溪流相连。今天的图片展示的正是丘伦梅鲁瀑布从约1300英尺的高处倾泻而下。委内瑞拉拥有一些令人印象深刻的世界自然奇观，其中包括地球上最高的瀑布，也就是位于丘伦梅鲁以南约4英里处的天使瀑布。詹姆斯·安吉尔发现了天使瀑布，但人们常常误以为他发现了龙瀑布，佐证这一说法的证据是天使瀑布常常被误认为是龙瀑布。因此，无论您是在寻找天使瀑布还是龙瀑布，委内瑞拉都有适合您的瀑布！

Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela

In the heart of the wilderness, an awe-inspiring sight plummets from a mountain—the Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela. Also known as Dragon Falls, the cascade featured in today's image is in a narrow niche at the southern end of the canyon that divides the mountain of Auyán-tepui. Falling from around 1,300 feet, Churún Merú is joined by a neighboring stream in the wet season. Venezuela is home to some of the world's most impressive natural wonders, including the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls, found some 4 miles south of Churún Merú. So, whether you're after angels or dragons, Venezuela has a waterfall for you!

郁金香田，斯卡吉特山谷，华盛顿州，美国 Tulip fields in spring, Skagit Valley, Washington (© Claudia Cooper/Getty Images)

踮起脚尖，穿过郁金香 Tiptoe through the tulips

斯卡吉特山谷郁金香节

在弗农山的阴影下，鲜艳的花朵为大地涂上一层色彩，造就了一幅真实的画卷，华盛顿斯卡吉特山谷的郁金香节正在等你。郁金香节于1984年由弗农山商会创办，最初的活动为期三天，后来发展成为为期一个月的盛会。节日从四月持续到五月，吸引了来自世界各地的游客。花展横跨山谷中的多个花园，千万不要错过郁金香镇、郁金香谷农场、罗莎琳花园以及鲁森加德占地50英亩的花展，你可以骑自行车游览郁金香花园，还可以探索当地的酒庄、酿酒厂和餐馆。漫步花间，生活放慢了脚步，让我们记住简单的快乐：深呼吸，绽放笑容，沉醉在斯卡吉特山谷郁金香节的美景中。

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington

Walk through a real-life canvas in a farming valley in Washington, where vibrant blossoms paint the Earth. That's exactly what awaits you at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, held in the city of Mount Vernon and surrounding towns. Founded in 1984 as a three-day event, it has grown into a month-long fiesta which runs from April to May and draws visitors from all over the world. The floral show spans multiple gardens in the valley, so make sure you explore Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, Garden Rosalyn, and the 50-acre display at RoozenGaarde. You can tour the tulip gardens by bicycle and explore the local wineries, breweries, and restaurants. Among the petals, life slows down just enough for us to remember the simple joys—breathe deeply, smile widely, and revel in nature's spectacle.

姬路城，姫路，兵库县，日本 Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan (© Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images)

皇家景观 A royal view

姬路城，兵库县，日本

从“草莓日”到“猫日”，甚至“蔬菜日”，日本有一系列“谐音节日”，这些节日都来源于駄洒落（一种用读音相同或相近的词汇来玩乐的日本文字游戏，与英语中的双关语类似）。今天的日期是4月6日，而日语中的“shiro”（城堡）这个词恰好是由“shi”（4）和“ro”（6）组成的。因此，这一天就成为了庆祝城堡的日子。还有什么比城堡日更好的机会来了解日本最大、游客最多的城堡——姬路城呢？它的历史可以追溯到1333年，是联合国教科文组织认定的世界遗产，拥有先进的防御设计和五个国宝级建筑。

Castle Day in Japan

From Strawberry Day to Cat Day and even Vegetable Day, Japan has a list of faux holidays, which are the clever results of 'dajare' or word plays. Today's date, April 6, makes up the Japanese word for castle, 'shiro' from 'shi' (4) and 'ro' (6). Hence, the celebration of castles. What better opportunity than Castle Day, to learn about the country's largest and most-visited castle, Himeji Castle? Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature's fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. Nearly 700 years of glory, local legends, and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?

从国际空间站拍摄的巴哈马群岛 The Bahamas photographed from the International Space Station (© NASA)

潜入碧海 A dive into the blue

巴哈马

绿松石水域、充满活力的珊瑚礁、户外用餐和海盗故事——欢迎来到巴哈马！这个西印度群岛群岛在大西洋上有3000多个珊瑚礁、岛屿和小岛，是世界第三大堡礁——安德罗斯堡礁的所在地。对于被大自然吸引的冒险灵魂来说，长岛663英尺深的海洋天坑Dean's Blue Hole提供了一次激动人心的体验。从海港岛宁静的粉红色沙滩到首都拿骚熙熙攘攘的稻草市场和著名的酒窖，巴哈马不仅仅是一个目的地，它是一个迷人的故事。

The Bahamas

Turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, alfresco dining, and tales of pirates—welcome to the Bahamas! With over 3,000 cays, islands, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, this West Indies archipelago is home to the world's third-largest barrier reef—the Andros Barrier Reef. For adventurous souls drawn to nature, Dean's Blue Hole, a 663-foot-deep marine sinkhole on Long Island, offers a thrilling experience. From the serene pink sand beaches of Harbour Island to the capital city Nassau's bustling Straw Market and famous wine cellars, the Bahamas is more than just a destination—it's a captivating tale waiting to unfold.