This is the Jiaohe Ruins. The reason we're not calling it an ancient city is that it was abandoned by the people around the 14th century. The entire city was built around the 2nd century BC on the natural loess plateau between two rivers, hence the name "Jiaohe", meaning "confluence of rivers".

这里是交河故城。 我们不称其为古城，原因是它在14世纪左右遭废弃。 交河故城始建于公元前2世纪左右，位于两河交汇处的天然黄土高原土台上，故名“交河”， 意为“河流交汇处”。

What makes it so special? Instead of erecting the houses and city walls, people carved them out from the ground, creating one of the world's largest and best-preserved earthen cities. Where I'm standing is actually the basement, and the ground floor is over there.

是什么让它如此特别？ 人们没有建造房屋和城墙，而是从地面上直接雕刻出来， 创造了世界上最大、保存最完好的土城之一。 我现在站的地方实际上是位于地下，地面在那边。

The layout was very advanced at that time, with distinct zones for government, residences and temples. For example, right now, I'm standing in one of the government buildings.

当时的布局非常先进，分为官署区、居民区和寺院区。 例如，现在，我正站在其中一座官署大楼里。

The Jiaohe Ruins was also an important military and trading hub along the ancient Silk Road.

交河故城也是古丝绸之路上重要的军事和贸易中心。

If you've watched the famous TV series "Journey to the West", there was actually a scene shot right here. Today, walking through the Jiaohe Ruins, you can still feel its culture and ingenuity after all these centuries.

如果你看过著名电视剧《西游记》，有一个拍摄场景就在这里。 千百年后的今天，漫步在交河故城，仍然可以感受到它的文化和匠心。

素材来源：iYuba