小屋和特尔莫尔灯塔，兰德温岛，威尔士，英国 Cottage with Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse in the background, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales (© Westend61 on Offset/Shutterstock)

“威尔士”祝你新年快乐！ 'Welsh' you a Happy Hen Galan!

威尔士新年快乐！

谁说新年一定要在1月1日？在威尔士，1月13日，人们会“时钟倒转”庆祝盖兰节，也就是“旧新年”。 在这一传统中，“Calennig”（意为“新年礼物”）起着核心作用，将庆典与儒略历时代的风俗相连接。尽管1582年世界大部分地区改用格里高利历，但威尔士的一些地区依然坚持旧传统。在传统上，这一天会有孩子们挨家挨户拜访，唱歌送祝福，以此换取硬币、食物或糖果等礼物。其中一大特色是用丁香装饰的苹果，它们并非用来食用，而是象征好运与繁荣的装饰品。

尽管这些古老的传统在威尔士部分地区有所演变，但“Calennig”的精神依然存在。像威尔士的首都卡迪夫这样的城市已将这一庆典演变成了大型活动，包括烟花表演、集市和社区聚会。如果你的新年目标在1月13日已经动摇，“Calennig ”便为你提供了一个”重启“的机会。何不感受威尔士的魔力？举杯庆祝慢生活，或前往兰德温岛，欣赏这里的灯塔与小屋，这正是今天图片的拍摄地。毕竟，在威尔士，庆祝永远不嫌晚！

Happy Welsh New Year!

Who says New Year's Day has to be on January 1? In Wales, the clocks turn back—figuratively—to celebrate Hen Galan, or the 'Old New Year,' on January 13. As part of this tradition, Calennig, meaning 'New Year's gift' in Welsh, plays a central role, linking the celebration to customs from the Julian calendar era. Even after most of the world switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, some Welsh communities clung to their old ways. Traditionally, the day involves children going door-to-door, singing songs, and offering good wishes in exchange for gifts like coins, food, or sweets. A unique feature is its clove-decorated apples. These aren't for snacking, though; they're miniature symbols of luck and prosperity.

While these old traditions have evolved in some parts of Wales, the spirit of Calennig thrives. Cities like Cardiff, the capital of Wales, have transformed the celebration into large-scale events, complete with fireworks, markets, and community gatherings. If your New Year's resolutions are already wobbling by January 13, Calennig offers a do-over. So why not embrace a little Welsh magic? Raise a toast to the joys of taking things slow or visit Ynys Llanddwyn for its lighthouse and cottages, featured in today's image. After all, in Wales, it's never too late to celebrate.

梅克内斯的Heri es-Swani，摩洛哥 Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco (© Calin Stan/Shutterstock)

旧时代的古老拱门 Arches of a bygone era

梅克内斯，摩洛哥

梅克内斯位于摩洛哥中北部，是一座历史悠久的皇家城市。17世纪，阿拉维王朝的苏丹伊斯梅尔·伊本·谢里夫曾将其作为摩洛哥的首都。这座城市以宏伟的城墙、壮丽的城门以及经久不衰的建筑闻名，完美体现了摩洛哥的建筑风格。其中最令人印象深刻的地标之一就是今日图片展示的古城赫里·埃斯·斯瓦尼。

赫里·艾斯-斯瓦尼最初建造为马厩，同时也用于储存大量粮食，供养城市居民和苏丹的军队。这座建筑的设计既实用又令人印象深刻，厚实的墙壁和创新的冷却系统，有效维持了食物储存的稳定性。建筑内部由22排对称拱门将空间分为若干走廊，过去曾有拱形天花板。在当时，骡子会爬到屋顶平台，将粮食通过专门设计的天花板洞口送入下方的储存空间。这里曾经可以容纳多达1.2万匹马，如今，这座建筑仅剩一座空壳，宛如一幅充满历史感的风景画，等待着人们前来探索。对于好奇古代帝国是如何建造和维持的人而言，这座历史古迹无疑是必游之地。

Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco

An imperial city in northern central Morocco, Meknes is steeped in history. Once the capital of Morocco under Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif of the Alawi dynasty in the 17th century, it's known for its massive walls, grand gates, and structures built to last centuries. Meknes reflects the Moroccan style of architecture, with one of its most impressive landmarks being Heri es-Swani, seen in today's image.

Heri es-Swani was originally constructed as a stable and for storing vast amounts of grain to sustain the settlement and the sultan's armies. Its design was both practical and impressive—thick walls and an innovative cooling system helped maintain the food supply. Twenty-two rows of symmetrical arches divided the space into corridors that once had vaulted ceilings. Back then, mules climbed onto the roof terrace to deliver grain, which was dropped through specially designed holes to the floor below. The structure housed more than 12,000 horses. Today, it stands as an empty shell, acting as a scenic backdrop ready to be explored. This historical monument is a must-see for anyone curious about how empires were built and fed.

亚伯拉罕湖，阿尔伯塔省，加拿大 Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada (© Basic Elements Photography/Getty Images)

冰层中气泡奇观 Bubbles, bubbles everywhere

亚伯拉罕湖，阿尔伯塔省，加拿大

听说过冻住的泡泡吗？每到冬季，加拿大阿尔伯塔省的亚伯拉罕湖便会上演这一奇观，这些气泡不仅美丽，更是科学的结晶。建于1972年的亚伯拉罕湖是一个占地超过20平方英里的人造湖，沿北萨斯喀彻温河延伸。湖泊的水源来自落基山脉的冰川融水，即使在寒冬，湖水依然清澈透明。冰川融水携带的细小沉积物能够散射阳光，而岩石的天然过滤作用将污染物降至最低。

冬季的亚伯拉罕湖吸引了来自世界各地的摄影师和游客，他们渴望在这里目睹这一罕见的奇观：冰冻气泡。湖床上的腐烂植物会释放出甲烷等气体，当气温降至一定程度时，涌向湖面的气体被冰层锁住，形成了大小不一、形态各异的气泡层。更令人惊奇的是，这些绚丽壮观的气泡虽冻结在脚下，却高度易燃。一月至二月冰层最厚，气泡也最为清晰可见。如果你计划前往参观，尽量在靠近岸边的区域活动，以确保安全。

Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada

Ever heard of frozen bubbles? Abraham Lake in Alberta, Canada, has them during the winter, and they're not just beautiful—they're science in action. Created in 1972, Abraham Lake is a human-made reservoir that spans more than 20 square miles along the North Saskatchewan River. Thanks to glacier-fed waters from the Rocky Mountains, the lake stays transparent even in the coldest months. Glacial meltwater carries fine sediment that scatters sunlight, while natural filtration through rocks keeps pollutants to a minimum.

The snowy season attracts photographers and visitors from around the world who are eager to capture a rare sight at Preacher's Point: bubbles. These frozen globes form when microorganisms break down dead plants and animals on the lake bed, releasing methane. As the gas rises, it gets trapped by the ice, creating layers of bubbles in various sizes and shapes. It's wild to think that they're flammable and chilling under your feet. The ice is thickest in January and February and the bubbles clearly visible. If you're planning to check it out, just remember to stick close to the shoreline for your safety.

苏丝斯黎沙丘，纳米布沙漠，纳米比亚 Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib Desert, Namibia (© Airpano/Amazing Aerial Agency)

变换的地平线 Shifting horizons

苏丝斯黎沙丘，纳米布沙漠，纳米比亚

想象在日出时分，连绵起伏的沙丘泛着橙色光芒，延伸至视野尽头，欢迎来到横跨纳米比亚数千英里的纳米布沙漠。据估计它已有5500万年的历史，被认为是世界上最古老的沙漠。这里拥有地球上最著名的沙丘，包括高达1,066英尺的“大爸爸”沙丘；纳米比亚最高的沙丘“沙丘7”，高度达1256英尺；以及深受摄影师喜爱的“沙丘45”，高度约为560英尺。

在这片广袤干旱的沙漠中心，是苏丝斯黎，也就是今天图片中的场景。这里是一片被高耸沙丘环绕的盐沼和黏土平原，讲述了一个对比的故事。大约每十年，曹查布河泛滥时，这片平原会化作令人惊叹的碧蓝湖泊。附近的‘死亡谷’令人毛骨悚然，这里有古老干枯的骆驼刺树，由于极度干燥的气候，它们未曾腐烂，仿佛被时间冻结。游客还能在此目睹一个充满惊人生命力的生态系统。从适应力极强的剑羚到聪明的纳米布沙漠甲虫，后者通过背部收集雾滴饮用水，这片沙漠充满了生存与韧性的故事。

被雪覆盖的长城，中国 Snow on the Great Wall, China (© View Stock/Alamy Stock Photo)

银装素裹，巍峨壮丽 Sliver-covered and magnificent

长城，中国

如今，这个古老的奇迹绵延 13,000 多英里，横跨崎岖的山脉、峡谷和数千年前修建的沙漠防御工事。长城上有陡峭的壕沟和瞭望塔，用以抵御入侵者。徒步攀登长城可以近距离感受这一历史地标，体验独特的长城之旅。从保存完好的慕田峪长城，到人迹罕至、最原始、最险峻的箭扣长城，每段长城的体验都不尽相同，有些台阶像梯子一样高。中国长城不仅仅是一堵墙，它还象征着坚韧和力量。今天，我们攀登长城，就是用顽强的毅力向更高的地方攀登！

National Take the Stairs Day

New year, new goals—so why not start by taking a step toward better health? On this National Take the Stairs Day, let's climb into the past. The Great Wall of China, one of the longest humanmade structures in the world, offers the perfect inspiration. Stretching more than 13,000 miles and dating back thousands of years, the ancient marvel in today's picture is a series of fortifications spanning rugged mountains, valleys, and deserts. Featuring steep trenches and watchtowers, parts of it were designed to keep invaders at bay. Hiking the Great Wall offers a unique glimpse into this historical landmark. The experience varies from well-preserved sections like Mutianyu to wild, unrestored parts such as Jiankou. Some steps are so high, they're more like steps on a ladder! Talk about a workout—taking these stairs could rival any modern fitness challenge.

The Great Wall of China isn't just a wall, but a symbol of perseverance and strength. Similarly, taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a small but empowering step toward better health. Millions of people live with chronic conditions like asthma, and by choosing the stairs, you're not just building strength, but also improving your overall health. So, the next time you face an elevator, think of the Great Wall and take the stairs. Your future self will thank you!

日落时的摩拉基大圆石，南岛，新西兰 Moeraki Boulders at sunset, South Island, New Zealand (© Douglas Pearson/eStock Photo)

岩石与滚石 Rocks and rollers

摩拉基大圆石，南岛，新西兰

今天是“古老岩石日”，一个庆祝和学习古老岩石与化石的节日。岩石虽常见，但我们很少花时间思考它们的神奇之处。在火山中锻造或在千年压力下形成的这些固体矿物质，是我们了解地球如何形成的关键。岩石中还可能包含化石，即早已灭绝的生物遗骸，为科学家揭示地球45亿年历史中生命和植物的演化线索。

世界上最奇特的岩石景观之一位于新西兰的科伊科希海滩。摩拉基大圆石中有些直径达到7英尺，经过数百万年的自然雕琢形成。每一块巨石最初都起源于约6500万年前海底的一颗小石子。随着时间推移，泥沙在其周围逐渐堆积，并被方解石粘合在一起。受侵蚀和海水运动的影响，这些巨石最终显露于世。如今，新的巨石仍不断形成，而原有的巨石则在自然作用下逐渐分解。

Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand

Are you ready to rock the new year? Today is Old Rock Day, a day for celebrating and learning about old rocks and fossils. Rocks are common and few of us take the time to consider how amazing they are. But forged in volcanoes or molded by millennia of pressure, these solid masses of minerals hold the key to understanding how our planet formed. Rocks can also contain fossils, the remnants of long-extinct organisms, which give scientists clues about what creatures and plants have lived on Earth during its 4.5-billion-year history.

One of the world's most curious rock displays can be found on Koekohe Beach in New Zealand. The Moeraki Boulders, some of which are 7 feet in diameter, have been shaped by nature over millions of years. Each boulder started as a pebble on the seabed around 65 million years ago. Over time, layers of mud and silt built up around them, cemented together by calcite. Thanks to erosion and the movement of the sea, the boulders eventually emerged. Today, new boulders are still appearing, while the elements are slowly breaking down existing ones.

被水淹没的地下室，圣弗朗西斯大教堂，拉文纳，意大利 Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy (© Andrea Pucci/Getty Images)

神圣的深渊 Divine depths

被水淹没的地下室，圣弗朗西斯大教堂，拉文纳，意大利

在意大利拉文纳市，有一座圣弗朗西斯大教堂，以其美丽和历史意义而闻名。这座罗马式教堂始建于公元450年，在9世纪时又加建了一座坚固的方形钟楼，使教堂的外观更加突出。教堂设计有三座中殿，由两排各12根圆柱分隔。而今日图片中的圣弗朗西斯大教堂最引人注目的部分是地下墓穴。这座墓穴是早期宗教设计的杰出典范，拥有向下倾斜的拱形天花板和排列整齐的石柱。地面铺设的地砖镶嵌着精美复杂的马赛克图案，至今仍然保存完好，堪称艺术杰作。

拉文纳建在松软的沼泽地上，由于城市逐渐下沉，拉文纳面临着持续的结构性挑战，这在墓穴中尤为显著，如今墓穴常年淹没在约一英尺深的水中。然而，拉文纳并未对抗洪水而是选择接受它，在水池中放养了金鱼，金鱼在古老的石柱间和淹没的马赛克地砖上方游动。游客们常向水中投掷硬币祈求好运，使这座墓穴更像是一口许愿池，而非传统的埋葬之地。

Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy

In the Italian province of Ravenna lies the Basilica of San Francesco, recognized for its beauty and historical significance. This Romanesque church, originally built in 450, features a sturdy square bell tower added in the 9th century, enhancing the basilica's exterior. Its design features three naves, divided by two rows of 12 columns each. Featured in today's image is the basilica's real showstopper: The basement crypt, or burial chamber, is a stunning model of early religious design. Complete with vaulted ceilings that slope down into rows of stone columns, its floor is a work of art itself. It's inlaid with beautifully intricate mosaic tiles that have withstood the test of time.

Built on soft marshland, Ravenna faces ongoing structural challenges because the entire city is gradually sinking. This is particularly evident in the crypt, which now remains perpetually submerged under about a foot of water. But instead of battling the slow flood, the basilica has embraced it, filling the pool with goldfish that glide between the ancient columns and above the submerged mosaics. Visitors often toss coins into the water, making the crypt more of a wishing well than a burial site.

归春河上的板约-德天瀑布，中国与越南边境 Bản Giốc–Detian Falls on the Quây Sơn River, Vietnam (© Shane P. White/Minden Pictures)

边境天堂 A borderline paradise

板约-德天瀑布，中国与越南边境

欢迎来到河流与边界线交汇的绝美之地：板约-德天瀑布。今日图片展示的正是这幅美景。该瀑布位于中国广西壮族自治区大新县与越南高平省重庆县之间的喀斯特地貌山丘区，沿着归春河流下。瀑布高达95英尺，宽980英尺，是越南最宽的瀑布，距离河内169英里。多年来，板约瀑布的顶端因侵蚀而缓慢向上游延伸。一年中的大部分时间里，它们以两个独立的瀑布流淌，但到了夏季，当雨水使河水上涨时，它们会汇合成一个巨大的瀑布。

尽管道路得以改善，公共交通更加便利，无人机视频也展示了瀑布的壮丽美景，但板约瀑布依然保留着原始与静谧的一面。大规模旅游尚未波及这里，因此在大多数工作日，您只会遇到寥寥无几的游客、当地居民，以及瀑布奔涌的声音。

Bản Giốc–Detian Falls, Vietnam

Welcome to a spot where rivers meet international borders in the most stunning way: the Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, featured in today's image. Tucked between the karst hills of China's Daxin County and Trùng Khánh district in Vietnam, these falls tumble along the Quây Sơn River about 170 miles north of Hanoi. For most of the year, they flow as two distinct cascades, but come summer, when the rains swell the river, they merge into one big fall. At over 95 feet tall and 980 feet wide, Bản Giốc holds the distinction of being the widest waterfall in Vietnam.

Even with better roads, easier public transport, and drone videos showing off the jaw-dropping beauty of the falls, Bản Giốc remains refreshingly off the beaten path. Mass tourism hasn't caught up yet, and on most weekdays, you'll find only a handful of visitors—just you, the locals, and the sound of cascading water.

英国拉德克里夫图书馆和万灵学院，牛津大学，英格兰 The Radcliffe Camera and All Souls College, University of Oxford, England (© atiger/Shutterstock)

尽享欢乐时光 Ring in the fun

J.R.R.托尔金生日快乐！

“冒险是否会有尽头？我想不会吧，因为总有人要继续讲述这个故事。” 今天是托尔金日，全球的读者们共同纪念这位创造了中土世界史诗冒险故事的大师：托尔金。托尔金可能是故事的开创者，但他的读者才是故事的传承者，一代又一代的读者沉浸在《霍比特人》、《指环王》等作品中。托尔金的读者们每年都会组织传统的祝酒活动庆祝托尔金的生日，在当地时间的晚上9点站起来并举起酒杯，说一声“敬教授”，然后喝一口即可。

而今日图片中展示的正是可能启发了这位文学传奇的地方。位于英国牛津大学的拉德克利夫图书馆。这座圆形穹顶建筑最初是一座科学图书馆，现在是作为博德利图书馆的阅览室使用。据说，这座18世纪的建筑是托尔金小说中努曼诺尔上祭祀魔苟斯神庙的灵感来源。虽然托尔金并未在此学习，而是埃克塞特学院的学生，但他在担任牛津大学英语语言文学教授期间，曾无数次路过这座建筑，其非凡的外观至今吸引着游客和托尔金读者们的目光。

Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!

'Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.' Today, on Tolkien Day, fans around the world honor the master storyteller who crafted the epic adventures of Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien. While Tolkien may have started the tale, it's his readers who carry it forward, generation after generation, diving into the pages of 'The Hobbit,' 'The Lord of the Rings,' and beyond. Tolkienists are encouraged to celebrate the author's birthday with a toast at 9 PM local time—to participate, all you must do is stand and raise a glass of your choice, say 'The Professor,' and take a sip.

For today's featured image, it is only fitting to visit a place that might have inspired the literary legend: the Radcliffe Camera, or Rad Cam, at the University of Oxford in England. Originally a science library, the domed, circular building now serves as a reading room for the Bodleian Library. This 18th-century building is said to be an inspiration for Sauron's temple to Morgoth on Númenor in Tolkien's fiction. Though Tolkien himself didn't study there—he was a student at Exeter College—he would have passed by the Rad Cam countless times during his years as a professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford. This building, with its extraordinary exterior, continues to captivate visitors and Tolkien enthusiasts alike.

科帕卡巴纳海滩除夕烟花, 里约热内卢, 巴西 New Year's Eve fireworks over Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (© Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

里约的午夜 Midnight in Rio

巴西里约热内卢的新年前夜

除夕，也被称为元旦，世界各地都会举行狂欢、烟花表演，以及一些宗教和文化仪式。许多国家用象征繁荣、长寿和来年好运的食物庆祝，许多人在午夜时分唱起苏格兰民歌《友谊地久天长》，纪念老朋友和过去的经历。在一个可以追溯到古希腊的传统中，新年通常被拟人化为一个婴儿，与一个代表即将结束的一年的老人配对。

聚会是迎接新年的常见方式，巴西里约热内卢举办了一场难忘的聚会。里约以许多事情而闻名，包括丰富多彩、热闹非凡的庆祝活动、美丽的海滩，以及今天在科帕卡巴纳海滩举行的免费除夕派对。当地人称之为Réveillon，这是世界上最大的除夕晚会，有数百万狂欢者。

New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day, is celebrated around the world with revelry, fireworks, and for some, religious and cultural observances. Many countries celebrate with foods symbolic of prosperity, long life, and good fortune for the coming year, and many people sing the Scottish folk song 'Auld Lang Syne' at the stroke of midnight in remembrance of old friends and past experiences. In a tradition that dates back to the ancient Greeks, the new year is often personified as a baby that is paired with an old man who represents the year that is ending.

Get-togethers are a common way to ring in the new year, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, throws a memorable one. Rio is known for many things, including colorful, exuberant celebrations, glorious beaches, and the free New Year's Eve party at Copacabana Beach, seen in today's image. Known as Réveillon to locals, this New Year's Eve soiree is the largest in the world, with millions of revelers.