Newsweek Select, March 2007
These little translations are fun to do. The process with them is that I find the writer, we choose the city, I work with the writer on the copy and edit the Chinese for ideas and structure and then I translate the piece into English.
4 Hours In
西双版纳地处彩云之南,它就连名字都充满少数民族的神秘色彩。
Situated in the southern region of colorful clouds, even Xishuangbanna’s name conjures up a mystical ethnic feel.
VISIT
热带植物园到处都有只在童话书中出现的巨型植物。你可试试把自己的小孩放在巨型的莲花上。
The plants at the Tropical Botanical Garden are the stuff of storybook legend. Try seating your child upon a giant lotus flower.
EAT
在傣家风味城村, 农户都在自家的竹楼里招待客人，酸酸辣辣的口感配上冰镇啤酒会让你爽到骨头里。
In Dai minority villages, country folk receive guests in their bamboo homes with hot and sour dishes complemented by ice-cold beer that cools you to the quick.
PLAY
不管什么季节，你都可以在橄榄坝傣族村感受泼水节的畅快“淋漓”。别忙了带上你的武器——水枪。
No matter what the season, you can always experience the joy of the traditional water festival at the Olive Dam Dai minority village. Don’t forget to bring your water gun.
WATCH
爬上“野象谷”古树上的观象屋静心等待，运气好的话，你会看到成群大象临泉饮水的野生奇境。
Climb an ancient tree in wild elephant valley for a peaceful view. If you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of an elephant herd at the spring-fed waterhole.
—相德宝
–Xiang De Bao
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