Episode 21 Mountains in the River江中之山

In ancient times, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, in Eastern China, was called Jingkou. Located at the golden cross of the Yangtze River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, it is a place of strategic importance. The upper reaches of the Yangtze River deposit a lot of silt here, which has gradually built up into a small island in the river. There are three beautiful mountains here, namely, Jinshan Mountain, Beigu Mountain, and Jiaoshan Mountain, which are closely connected with the Yangtze River and are called the Three Mountains of Jingkou.

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Jinshan Mountain is only 42 meters above sea level. Although Jinshan Mountain is said to be on the Yangtze River, because the river's course has moved to the north, Jinshan is now some distance away from the Yangtze.

Beigu Mountain, 10 meters higher than Jinshan Mountain, is just beside the Yangtze River. From here, Jinshan Mountain can be seen in the west and Jiaoshan Mountain in the east. The mighty river flows around the foot of the mountain.

Jiaoshan, the highest of the three, with an altitude of 70.7 meters and an area of 38 hectares. It is located in the Yangtze River, surrounded by water. Encircled by the green waves, the green mountain looks like a piece of jade floating on the river.

People can reach the island by boat to experience the gentle river water in the dry season, and appreciate the magnificent scene in the wet season.

Compared with many famous mountains, the seemingly inconspicuous local landscape composed of three beautiful mountains, coexist and integrate with the Yangtze River, becoming a landmark in this area.

Episode22 A Huge Gathering of Migrant Birds敬信湿地的候鸟大集会

Every spring around mid-March, hundreds of thousands of birds arrive at the Jingxin Wetland of northeast China's Jilin province. It turns the remote area into a fancinating paradise for the migrant birds.

The Jingxin Wetland is located on the border of China, Russia and North Korea. The diverse environment and humid climate make it an important stop-over for migrating birds. Seagulls are common here because it is very close to the Sea of Japan. These birds begin their journey back north after winter, and this is the last stop before leaving China. Here, they rest and feed.

Many large predatory birds, such as golden eagles, white-tailed sea eagles ans Steller's sea eagles are frequent visitors. They are rare and endangered species in the world and are listed as protected animals at a national level in China. Among these species, the Steller's sea eagles are especially rare, with only a few thousand remaining in the wworld.

Now, more and more rare birds such as Chinese mergansers(中华秋沙鸭)and red-crowned cranes(丹顶鹤)are being found in Jingxin Wetland, attracting hundreds of photographers. So as not to disturb the birds, the photographers wait quietly in the specified location. They wait patiently among the gathering of birds, for the right moment to capture an amazing moment in nature.

Episode 23 The Lotus Terraces 莲海梯田

Every summer, in Southeast China's Fujian Province, the Lianhai Terraces in Jianning become one of the most beautiful places in China to appreciate flowers.

In early summer, lotus leaves on the terraces are eager  to emerge from the water, and unfurl their beauty.

Jianning county is located in the middle section of Wuyi Mountain. The high terrain with its unique microclimate is perfect for growing high-quality lotuses. Lotuses have been planted here for thousands of years. The lotuses of Jianning are known as "the Best Lotus" and are listed as a tribute treasure. There are about 3300 hectares of lotus flowers here, which produces more than 4000 tons of seeds every year.

In July, the lotus blossom season, the layers of lotus fields become shrouded in mist, creating an enchanted landscape. July and August is the peak period for lotus seeds. The temperature difference between day and night can reach more than 53 degree Fahrenheit, which provides excellent conditions for the accumulation of nutrients in the lotus seeds and encouranges their expansion and plumpness.

The Lotuses of Jianning are mostly cultivated in paddy fields in the mountains. The mountain spring water flows down, bringing trace elements to the soil, irrigating the lotus fields at the foot of the mountain all the year round. As a result, the well-nourished lotuses of Jianning have large seedpods, grow well and yield high-quality lotus seeds. At this time of year, lotus seedpods(莲蓬) fill the local markets. Peel the lotus seeds, and you experience the unique lotus fragrance.

Episode 24 Monkey Island 临海的猕猴乐园

Located in Nanwan Peninsula, 14km from Lingshui Town, Hainan Province, Nanwan Monkey Island is the only tropical island nature reserve from macaques(猕猴) in China and the world, so people call it "Monkey Island".

Nanwan Monkey Island is beautiful and charming. There are clean and entrancing beaches, so typical of Hainan, with colorful coral reefs(珊瑚礁群). Monkey Island is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has a vast expanse of blue waves(碧波万顷). The rocks on the island are craggy, like an anchor thrown into the vast South China Sea.

It has a mild climate and abundant rainfall, and coconut, litchi, pineapple, carambola(杨桃) and other fruit trees are everywhere. The plants here are evergreen and flowers and fruits can be found here all year round, providing a typical tropical scenery.

It is not only suitable for the growth and reproduction of macaques, but also can provide a plentiful supply of food for the monkeys. The monkeys of the island have been domesticated, and visitors can take pictures of them or have their pictures taken with them.

The best time to watch monkeys is when the keeper feeds them. At the sound of whistle, trees and grass all over the mountain begin to shake, you can see macaques skipping, and swinging between trees. In a blink of an eye, they gather together to fight for food and make a lot of noise.

Over the years, the authorities have taken a series of protective measures for the monkeys in Nanwan Monkey Island, so the monkeys can have a worry-free life in this natural biosphere. Nanwan Monkey Island has really become a paradise for macaques.

Episode 25 The Most Beautiful Cherry Valley 美丽樱花谷

Taihu Lake is located in the south of the Yangtze River Delta. Among the numerous lakes on the north of the Yangtze River, Taihu Lake is the largest. Here, there is a lake island famous for its cherry blossoms.

Yuantouzhu is a peninsula extending into Taihu Lake. It is named after a giant stone that emerges from the lake and looks for all the world like a turtle with its head held high.

There are more than 30000 cherry trees and more than 100 varieties planted in Yuantouzhu. From mid-March to mid-April every year, it is the best time to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms. Pink clouds of cherry blossoms cover the trees,(樱花如云似霞，满树烂漫)complemented by the rippling water(水波荡漾) and flurries of falling cherry flowers(落樱飞舞).

The history of cherry planting in Yuantouzhu can be traced back to the 1930s. The cherry blossoms on either side of Changchun Bridge were planted at that time. In March 1988, more than 400 Japanese friends came to Yuantouzhu and planted 1500 cherry trees with the citizens of Wuxi. Since then, more than 10,000 Japanese friends have returned to plant yet more cherry trees. Yuantouzhu has therefore become a cherry viewing resort in China, attracting countless tourists to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom here every year.