贾斯旺萨达陵墓和梅兰加尔古堡，焦特布尔，拉贾斯坦邦，印度 (© Twenty47studio/Getty images)
夕阳西下，印度拉贾斯坦邦的焦特布尔市沐浴在温暖的光芒中，一幅神奇的景象徐徐展开。坐落在岩石山顶上的梅兰加尔古堡矗立于这片景色中，这里曾是拉索尔王朝的权力中心，见证了荣耀和挑战。这座城堡始建于1459年，由当时的统治者拉奥·约达创建，至今已经有500多年的历史。
这座堡垒不仅是一处遗迹，更是拉贾斯坦邦的文化瑰宝。在这座城堡蜿蜒的深处，过去的秘密在一连串的宫殿中重现。从珍珠宫、镜宫、武器宫到花宫和藏宝阁，这些建筑瑰宝各有各的故事，是拉贾斯坦邦辉煌历史的篇章。再往前走，这里的博物馆展示了皇室专用的轿子、华丽的穹顶塔和乐器。
帕那空奇里上空的烟花，碧武里府，泰国 Fireworks over Phra Nakhon Khiri, Phetchaburi, Thailand (© noomcpk/Shutterstock)
明年见! See you next year!
现在是最后的倒计时！许多国家都在今晚庆祝跨年夜，以送走旧的一年，并期待新的一年的到来。在辞旧迎新的时候，各个国家的传统习俗都很有创意。如果你不在美国观看时代广场的落球仪式，你可能会在丹麦摔盘子，在西班牙往嘴里塞葡萄，或者在希腊把洋葱挂在门外。在泰国，庆祝者可能会去寺庙祈求好运，或者观看照亮帕那空奇里的烟花。“帕那空奇里”在泰语中意为“山中之城”，该地坐落在同名的历史公园内，又名“圣城山”或“拷汪行宫”。无论你在哪里庆祝跨年夜，都要过得愉快。明年见！
It's the final countdown! Tonight is New Year's Eve, time to see out the old year and welcome the new. But how you celebrate depends which country you're in. If you're not in the US watching the Times Square Ball Drop, you might smash crockery in Denmark, eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight in Spain, or hang onions outside your door in Greece. In Thailand, you might watch the fireworks illuminating Phra Nakhon Khiri, or 'holy city hill,' a historical park spread over three peaks overlooking the city of Phetchaburi. Wherever you celebrate, have a great one. See you next year!
卡塞里格石圈，湖区国家公园 ，坎布里亚，英国 Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, United Kingdom (© John Finney Photography/Getty Images)
古石圈 ancient stone circle
考古学家认为，古代文明排列石圈是为了让石头与月亮和太阳的位置保持一致。图中这个位于英格兰西北部湖区的卡塞里格石圈的就是这样的一个遗址。这个新石器时代的纪念碑有40块石头，呈圆形排列，其历史可以追溯到公元前3000年。虽然卡塞里格石圈的排列方式在某些方面仍然是个谜，但在几个世纪以来，其古典的魅力一直吸引着游客。
旧西街区，阿姆斯特丹 ，荷兰 Oud-West neighborhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands (© George Pachantouris/Getty Images)
旧西街区的故事 Oud-West side story
欢迎来到阿姆斯特丹！荷兰首都阿姆斯特丹以其历史悠久的运河、多姿多彩的建筑和悠闲自在的氛围吸引着来自世界各地的游客。这座城市的历史可以追溯到12世纪，当时它还是阿姆斯特尔河畔的一个渔村。如今，阿姆斯特丹拥有梵高博物馆、EYE电影博物馆和国家海事博物馆等机构，让人们可以深入了解阿姆斯特丹的历史和艺术遗产。阿姆斯特丹的同心圆型运河区建于17世纪，已被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产。此外，这座城市还拥有众多的餐馆、古董店和露天市场，图片上展示的旧西街区就是其中之一。准备好骑自行车吧，因为阿姆斯特丹的自行车文化无处不在。阿姆斯特丹拥有约320英里长的自行车道，是世界上最适合骑自行车的城市之一。
Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of the Netherlands charms visitors with its historic canals, versatile architecture, and laid-back vibe. The city's history can be traced back to the 12th century when it was a fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River. Institutions like the Van Gogh Museum, the Eye Film Museum, and the National Maritime Museum offer insights into its history and arts legacy. Amsterdam's canal ring area, built at the turn of the 17th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also home to its fair share of restaurants, vintage shops, and outdoor markets in neighborhoods like Oud-West, pictured in today's image. Get ready to pedal because Amsterdam's cycling culture is ubiquitous. With approximately 320 miles of bike lanes, it's one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
座头鲸，迪斯科湾，格陵兰 Humpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland (© Paul Souders/DanitaDelimont.com)
跳出“濒危名单” Jumping off the endangered list
对于我们毛茸茸的、有鳞片的和长羽毛的朋友们而言，今天是一个特殊的里程碑：美国《濒危物种保护法》迎来了它的50周年。这项具有里程碑意义的法律于1973年签署确立，半个世纪以来，它一直在向濒临灭绝的物种伸出援助之手。那么，谁是这次的焦点呢？是照片中的座头鲸！这些温顺的庞然大物以悦耳的歌声和杂技般的“鲸跃”而闻名，是《濒危物种保护法》成功实施的典范。过去，由于捕鲸和捕鱼装置的缠绕，座头鲸一度濒临灭绝，但在保护工作的努力下，它们的种群正在复苏，从1966年的约5,000头到增加到现在的约135,000头。然而，保护濒危物种，任重而道远。从预防栖息地丧失到防止偷猎，各种挑战依然存在。而我们能做的，就是宣传保护濒危物种，支持保护工作，参与当地活动，做一个环保主义者。
50 years of the Endangered Species Act
Today is a special milestone for our furry, scaly, and feathered friends: the Endangered Species Act is turning 50. This landmark legislation, signed into law in 1973, has been helping species on the brink for half a century. Who's that in the spotlight? A humpback whale! Known for their haunting songs and acrobatic breaches, these gentle giants are a success story of the ESA. They were once on the edge of extinction, largely due to commercial whaling, but thanks to conservation efforts, their population has bounced back from around 5,000 in 1966 to an estimated 135,000 today. However, our work isn't over. Challenges persist, from habitat loss to poaching. So, what can we do? Spread the word, support conservation efforts, participate in local initiatives, and be eco-friendly.
教堂山，斯奈山半岛，冰岛 Kirkjufell, Snæfellsnes peninsula, Iceland (© Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Getty Images)
冰与火之地 The land of ice and fire
从冰川和瀑布到火山和黑沙滩，冰岛的斯奈山半岛拥有“权游”中的一切。图中这座傲然屹立的小山，是海拔1519英尺高的草帽山。因其形状酷似教堂的尖塔，这座巍峨的小山又被称为教堂山。您可能在《权力的游戏》系列剧中看到过它，因为它曾出现在一幕设定在巨型冰墙以北的场景中。这个冰原岛峰（一种突出于冰原或冰川上的岩层），是摄影师们经常拍摄的对象，其金字塔般的形状、随季节变化的颜色以及沿海的地理位置，使它充满了魅力。如果运气好，天气条件允许，您还可以在草帽山看到壮丽的北极光。
From glaciers and waterfalls to volcanoes and black sand beaches, Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula has 'GoT' it all. Pictured here is the 1,519-foot-high Kirkjufell, a hill often called 'Church Mountain,' as it is said to resemble a steeple. In fact, it is a nunatak, a rock formation that protrudes through an ice sheet or glacier. You might recognize it from the 'Game of Thrones' series, where it featured in a scene set north of the colossal ice wall. When it's not starring on TV, it is popular with photographers thanks to its unusual shape, coastal location, and colors that shift with the seasons. And if you're lucky, and the weather conditions align, Kirkjufell offers a magnificent view of the northern lights.
冬季日出，戴德姆，科尔切斯特，英格兰 Winter sunrise in Dedham, Colchester, England (© George W Johnson/Getty Images)
节礼日快乐 Happy Boxing Day!
节假日还没有完全结束！12月26日是节礼日——这是一个让节日气氛延续下去的时机，也是一个在大自然中享受冬日漫步的时机，图中的英格兰科尔切斯特的田野就是一个冬日漫步的好地方。英国和一些英联邦成员国，包括加拿大和澳大利亚，都会庆祝节礼日。节日的起源被认为来自一项古老的英国传统——送礼盒，即雇主在圣诞节的第二天给仆人送装满礼物的“盒子”。时光流转，今天的人们依然会把赠送礼物和节礼日联系在一起，但这个节日已经有了各种习俗。在英国，各地都会举办赛马活动，包括在肯普顿公园赛马场举办的历史悠久的乔治六世赛马大赛。而在加拿大，冰球爱好者会聚集在一起，为他们喜爱的球队加油助威。节假日就像冬天的阳光一样，结束得比你想象中更快，趁着一切还未结束，去尽情享受吧。
Happy Boxing Day!
The holiday season isn't quite over! December 26 marks Boxing Day—a popular day to get outside and enjoy a walk after a day of indulgence. Our homepage image shows a wintry sunrise over fields near the village of Dedham, in Colchester, England¬—perfect walking country.
Boxing Day is observed in the UK and some other countries including Canada and Australia. It's thought to have originated from the old British tradition of giving boxes filled with presents to servants on the day after Christmas. These days, Boxing Day is often associated with sporting events. It’s a big day for soccer in the UK and horse races are held across the country, including the historic King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse. Meanwhile in Canada, ice hockey fans gather to cheer on their favorite teams. Just like winter sunshine, the holiday season ends sooner than you think, so make the most of it!
市政厅广场，塔尔图，爱沙尼亚 Town Hall Square, Tartu, Estonia (© Westend61/Getty Images)
多么可爱的树枝啊！ How lovely are your branches
在这个平安夜，世界各地的城镇都沉浸在一种神奇的魔力中。商店关着门，街道空无一人，人们与朋友及家人欢聚一堂，互相慰藉。把礼物装进圣诞袜、举办派对或是播放节日音乐，每个人都有自己的平安夜传统活动。今天的照片上展示的是爱沙尼亚塔尔图市政厅广场一年一度的庆祝活动，广场上灯火辉煌，圣诞树点缀其间。塔尔图的圣诞集市洋溢着欢乐的气氛，有雪橇、户外火炉和木质动物旋转木马。此外，集市上还有熏肉、热饮和酥脆的姜饼。无论你是选择观看一部经典的节日电影，还是选择在十二点钟声敲响时惬意地喝上一杯热可可，在这个宁静的夜晚都能感受到浓浓的圣诞气氛。
There's a certain magic in knowing that, around the world, shops are closing, streets are emptying, and friends and families are gathering to celebrate Christmas Eve. We each have our own traditions, from filling stockings to hosting parties and playing festive music. Today's twilight homepage shows the gleaming lights and Christmas trees of Town Hall Square in Tartu, Estonia's second-largest city. Tartu's Christmas fair has a merry atmosphere, featuring sleigh rides, fire kettles, and wooden animal carousels, while serving up smoked meats, hot drinks, and gingerbread. Whether you're partying or cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa, embrace the Christmas spirit on this peaceful night—and don't forget the milk and cookies!
卢布尔雅那，斯洛文尼亚共和国 Ljubljana, Slovenia (© kasto80/Getty images)
斯洛文尼亚式的节日氛围 Holiday cheer, Slovenian style
多么可爱的城市啊！斯洛文尼亚首都卢布尔雅那和流经该市的卢布尔雅尼察河的名字的前缀都是“ljub”，这个前缀在斯拉夫语中的意思是“爱”。卢布尔雅那位于连接亚得里亚海北部和多瑙河地区的贸易路线之上，是一个相对较小的首都，人口不到30万。城市南部是卢布尔雅那沼泽，这是该国最大的沼泽，面积达63平方英里。卢布尔雅那的外围地区现代建筑林立，而城市的核心区则保留了具有古罗马和中世纪元素的历史建筑。例如卢布尔雅那城堡、三重桥、龙桥和历史悠久的老城区。当你在城中闲逛时，一定要留心，因为你很可能会遇到这座城市的象征——卢布尔雅那龙。
圣诞节期间的瓦尔加迪纳山谷的村庄，多洛米蒂山，意大利 Village in Val Gardena at Christmas, Dolomites, Italy (© Ingus Kruklitis/Getty Images)
多洛米蒂山之光 Lights of the Dolomites
意大利北部的瓦尔加迪纳山谷是现实版的“童话世界”，该山谷位于南蒂罗尔多洛米蒂山区，以滑雪、攀岩和木雕闻名。圣诞节期间，这里会变成“圣诞谷”，木屋向游客们敞开大门，怀旧缆车在圣诞谷上空穿梭，闪烁的童话灯点缀着木屋。18世纪，瓦尔加迪纳山谷因生产雕像和精雕细刻的木俑而闻名，这些雕像最初用于装饰天主教堂，木娃娃是其中最著名的产品之一，至今仍在生产。
Val Gardena in Northern Italy is a popular destination for skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving enthusiasts, which transforms into Christmas Valley at this time of year. Wooden huts open their doors to visitors, and a nostalgic cable car ride, each cabin adorned with twinkling fairy lights, travels above snow-covered slopes. During the 18th century, the valley became famous for its production of intricately carved wooden figurines, initially made to decorate Catholic churches. Among those creations, the peg wooden doll emerged as one of Val Gardena's best-known products and is still being produced today.