阿尔斯特罗姆角，鲍威尔湖，犹他州，美国 Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, Utah (© T.M. Schultze/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

值得深思的高地 A point worth pondering

阿尔斯特罗姆角，鲍威尔湖

如果你向往壮丽的日落和令人惊叹的美景，不妨来到阿尔斯特罗姆角。阿尔斯特罗姆角位于犹他州南部凯恩县的格伦峡谷国家休闲区，海拔达4685英尺。阿尔斯特罗姆角主要由恩特拉达砂岩构成，与附近的罗马纳梅萨主峰及东侧的冈赛特山共享相同的地质起源。

作为鲍威尔湖地区的一部分，阿尔斯特罗姆角向南延伸至湖泊辽阔水域，位于帕德雷湾与沃姆溪湾之间。湖水蓄满时，阿尔斯特罗姆角高出水面近1000英尺，可俯瞰周围峡谷。鲍威尔湖横跨犹他州与亚利桑那州，每年吸引约300万游客前来。这片湖泊由深蓝色水流组成迷宫般的网络，蜿蜒穿过90多个岩石峡谷。湖泊的主要部分流经格伦峡谷，同时延伸至多个较小支流峡谷，以及埃斯卡兰特河与圣胡安河区域。

Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, Utah

If you're chasing sunsets and jaw-dropping views, come to Alstrom Point. Located in southern Utah's Kane County, this spot in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area stands at an impressive height of 4,685 feet. Made mostly of Entrada Sandstone, it has the same geological roots as nearby sites like Romana Mesa, its parent peak, and Gunsight Butte, another sandstone summit to the east.

Part of the Lake Powell region, Alstrom Point extends southward into the vast waters of the lake, in between Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay. When the lake is full, Alstrom Point towers nearly 1,000 feet above the water, offering views of the surrounding canyons. Lake Powell, spanning across Utah and Arizona, attracts around 3 million visitors every year. The lake is a maze of deep blue water winding through over 90 rock canyons. While its main stretch runs through Glen Canyon, it also snakes into over many smaller side canyons, along with the Escalante and San Juan Rivers.

梅斯蒂亚的中世纪塔楼，上斯瓦涅季，格鲁吉亚 Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia (© photoaliona/Getty Images)

凝固的时光 Frozen in time

梅斯蒂亚的中世纪塔楼，上斯瓦涅季，格鲁吉亚

冬季为梅斯蒂亚的中世纪塔楼披上冰雪，宛如一座座坚固的堡垒。梅斯蒂亚坐落于高加索山脉，海拔4921英尺，是格鲁吉亚西北部一座迷人的高原小镇。小镇是斯万人的故乡，他们是格鲁吉亚文化和语言的一个独特分支。尽管规模不大，梅斯蒂亚数百年来一直是格鲁吉亚文化的枢纽，小镇遍布斯万族的防御塔，如今日图片所示。这些防御塔大多建于9至12世纪，这一时期被誉为格鲁吉亚的黄金时代。据推测，这些塔楼的历史可能追溯至更久远的史前时期。塔楼不仅是防御工事，也是家庭住宅的重要组成部分，反映了该地区坚韧不拔、自给自足的历史。因此，梅斯蒂亚不仅是一座小镇，更是一个活的博物馆，其历史从塔楼中升起，回荡在高山之间。

Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia

Winter turns Mestia's medieval towers into icy fortresses. Perched 4,921 feet up in the Caucasus Mountains, Mestia is a charming highland town in the Eastern European country of Georgia. The town is home to the Svans, a cultural and linguistic subgroup of Georgians.

Despite its modest size, Mestia has been an essential hub of Georgian culture for centuries, dotted with the Svan defensive towers seen in today's image. Most of these towers were constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries, a period often referred to as Georgia's Golden Age. However, their roots are believed to stretch even further back, possibly into prehistoric times. Built for both protection and shelter, the towers were not just fortresses but also integral parts of family homes, reflecting the region's history of resilience and self-sufficiency. Mestia isn't just a town; it's a living museum where history rises from the towers and echoes through the mountains.

特隆赫姆的蓝色时刻，挪威 Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway (© Jeanny Mueller/Getty Images)

沉浸在蓝调时分 Stuck in a blue moment

特隆赫姆的蓝色时刻，挪威

在挪威，冬季不仅是一个季节，更是一种独特的体验。在挪威北部，黑夜长达20小时，有时甚至整周太阳都隐匿在地平线之下。这听起来或许有些阴郁，但这种特殊的时节也展现出独特的魅力。通常在下午1点至2点之间，柔和的光线从白雪覆盖的地面和深蓝色海面反射而来。这形成了一种令人惊叹的如玻璃般湛蓝的光辉，笼罩着整片大地。这种蓝调时分每天都会来得稍晚一些，温柔地提醒人们太阳正缓缓准备重新升起。

今日图片展示了特隆赫姆的蓝调时分。这座城市位于特隆赫姆峡湾南岸，环绕着尼达河的柔和曲线。特隆赫姆建于公元997年，最初是一个贸易站，在维京时代曾为挪威首都，直至1217年。特隆赫姆的沿海气候使冬季相对温和，但其周边山丘地带的微气候更为寒冷多雪，是冬季运动爱好者的理想之地。

Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway

In Norway, winter isn't just a season—it's an experience. In the north of the country, nights stretch for 20 hours, and there are entire weeks when the sun remains hidden below the horizon. It might sound bleak, but it's a unique time of the year. Why? Because around early afternoon, usually between 1 and 2 PM, a soft, lingering light reflects off the snow-covered ground and the deep blue sea. This forms a breathtaking, glassy blue glow that settles over the landscape. Each day, the blue hour arrives just a little later, a gentle reminder that the sun is slowly preparing to reclaim the sky.

Featured here is Trondheim's blue hour. The city lies on the southern shore of the Trondheimsfjord and is framed by the gentle curves of the Nidelva River. Founded in 997 CE as a trading post, Trondheim was Norway's capital during the Viking Age and remained so until 1217. While its coastal climate keeps winters relatively mild, Trondheim's nearby hills offer a colder, snowier microclimate perfect for winter sports enthusiasts.

拱门群岛，瓦拉里基海滩，南岛，新西兰 Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand (© Francesco Vaninetti/AWL/plainpicture)

对国家遗产的思考 Reflections of a nation's legacy

新西兰的怀唐伊日

1840年，500多位毛利酋长与英国王室代表共同签署了一份条约，新西兰人至今仍在怀唐伊日纪念这一历史时刻。这一天，签署的《怀唐伊条约》确立了两种文化共存的原则。在怀唐伊条约签署地，庆典活动包括毛利传统表演、演讲和精彩的独木舟比赛。从奥克兰和惠灵顿的节日与音乐会，到低调的社区聚会，这一天的核心精神是联系与文化。

庆祝新西兰历史的最佳方式是什么？就是在如同明信片般美丽的地方度过这一天。今日图片展示的拱门岛位于瓦拉瑞基海滩，这些岩石群从塔斯曼海中拔地而起，外形崎岖壮丽。2015年，这些岩石因出现在Windows 10桌面屏保中而闻名全球。退潮时，游客可以探索洞穴和潮汐岩池，还常常能看到悠闲晒太阳的海豹。怀唐伊日不仅纪念历史，更是对文化与自然的庆典！

Waitangi Day in New Zealand

What do you get when you bring together more than 500 Māori chiefs, representatives of the British Crown, and a treaty signed in 1840? A day that New Zealanders still commemorate: Waitangi Day. On this date, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing the principles for how the two cultures would coexist. Ceremonies are held at Waitangi Treaty Grounds—where the document was signed—featuring traditional Māori performances, speeches, and the ever-dramatic waka (canoe) races. From festivals and concerts in cities like Auckland and Wellington to low-key community gatherings, the spirit of the day is about connection and culture.

What's better than celebrating New Zealand's history on Waitangi Day? Doing it in a place that looks straight out of a postcard. Enter the Archway Islands, a group of four rock stacks at Wharariki Beach, as seen in today's image. Rising from the waters of the Tasman Sea, these rugged islets became well known around the world after they were featured in a Windows 10 desktop screensaver in 2015. At low tide, curious wanderers can explore caves and rock pools and often spot lounging seals.

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.