蒂斯河畔斯托克顿无限桥，英格兰 Infinity Bridge in Stockton-on-Tees, England (© Bahadir Yeniceri/Shutterstock)

迈向无限 Crossing into infinity

国际无限日

8月8日，国际无限日让好奇心成为主角。这项庆祝活动的灵感来自横置的数字8——象征永无止境的无限符号。纽约哲学家让-皮埃尔·阿迪·费尼奥于1987年创立这一节日，邀请每个人通过科学、艺术和想象力探索宏大理念。它不只关乎数学，也关乎从浩瀚宇宙到人类创造力边界的种种可能。

英格兰蒂斯河畔斯托克顿的无限桥，将这种无边的惊奇化为现实。这座线条流畅的人行桥以两道醒目的钢拱横跨蒂斯河；拱形倒映水中时，便组成一个闪耀的无限环。夜幕降临，LED灯光沿步道流动，随着行人经过而变换色彩，增添灵动而近乎未来主义的氛围。

这座桥与国际无限日呼应着同一理念：有些事物没有终点，只有一条不断向前、邀你继续探索的道路。

International Infinity Day

On August 8, curiosity takes center stage on International Infinity Day—a celebration inspired by the sideways figure 8, a symbol of something without end. Founded in 1987 by New York–based philosopher Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo, the day invites everyone to explore big ideas through science, art, and imagination. It's not just about math—it's also about possibilities, from the vastness of space to the limits of human creativity.

That sense of boundless wonder comes to life at England's Infinity Bridge in Stockton-on-Tees. This sleek pedestrian bridge spans the River Tees using two striking steel arches, and when their curves reflect in the water, they form a glowing infinity loop. By night, LED lights ripple along the walkway, shifting colors as people cross and adding a dynamic, almost futuristic feel.

The bridge and International Infinity Day echo the same idea: some things have no end—just a continuous path forward, inviting you to keep exploring.

圣胡安岛石灰窑灯塔，华盛顿州，美国 Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, Washington State, USA (© Edmund Lowe Photography/Shutterstock)

指引船只穿越历史 Guiding ships through history

全国灯塔日

每年的8月7日是“全国灯塔日”，这一节日旨在颂扬那些数百年来指引船只安全航行于美国沿海的灯塔。这一日期是为了纪念乔治·华盛顿总统签署生效的《1789年灯塔法案》。

在华盛顿州的圣胡安岛（San Juan Island），石灰窑灯塔（Lime Kiln Lighthouse）生动地展现了那段历史。这座灯塔建于1919年，矗立在俯瞰哈罗海峡（Haro Strait）的岩石峭壁之上，其发出的白色闪光至今仍指引着船只安全航行。附近的石灰窑点州立公园（Lime Kiln Point State Park）则因更令人兴奋的景象而闻名——那就是虎鲸。游客常在岸边眺望海面，有时能看到这些强壮的鲸鱼从离岸不远处游过。

从灯塔看守人在漫长风暴之夜坚守岗位，到如今自动化系统的广泛应用，灯塔在不断演变的同时，始终保持着其核心作用。尽管许多灯塔已成为历史地标与观景胜地，但在导航技术高度发达的今天，它们依然是安全、坚韧与探险精神的永恒象征。

National Lighthouse Day

Every August 7, National Lighthouse Day shines a light on the beacons that have guided ships safely along America's coasts for centuries. The date commemorates the Lighthouse Act of 1789, signed into law by President George Washington.

On Washington's San Juan Island, Lime Kiln Lighthouse brings that history vividly to life. Built in 1919 on a rocky bluff overlooking Haro Strait, its white flash still guides vessels through these waters. Nearby, Lime Kiln Point State Park is famous for something even more thrilling: orcas. Visitors often scan the waves from shore and may spot these powerful whales passing close to land.

From keepers tending lamps through long, stormy nights to today's automated systems, lighthouses have evolved while preserving their essential role. Many now serve as historic landmarks and scenic viewpoints, yet even in the age of advanced navigation, they remain enduring symbols of safety, resilience, and adventure.

非斯皇宫装饰华丽的大门，摩洛哥 Decorated gate of the Royal Palace of Fez, Morocco (© cgst26/Shutterstock)

秘境之门，匠心传世 Gates of a hidden kingdom

非斯皇宫装饰华丽的大门，摩洛哥

在摩洛哥的非斯，被称为“达尔·马赫赞”的王宫自13世纪以来一直是权力的中心；当时，摩洛哥的统治者围绕它建立了一座设防的皇城。其高墙之内，花园、庭院、清真寺和皇家住所错落分布于广阔的建筑群中，且至今仍供国王使用，使其既是历史古迹，又是仍在运作的活跃宫廷。

今天的照片定格了大多数游客慕名而来的景象：位于阿拉维特广场的王宫标志性大门。七扇巍峨的黄铜大门闪耀着金色的光泽，周围环绕着色彩斑斓的几何图案瓷砖与雕花雪松木，尽显精湛工艺。每一道拱门都彰显着摩洛哥的艺术魅力，精密的纹样、对称的布局与考究的材质完美融合，呈现出令游客赞叹不已的视觉盛景。

你无法步入其中，但伫立在这些宏伟的大门前，仿佛正身处历史的门槛之上。王室生活、典礼仪式与传奇故事就在近旁，却隐匿于那些历经数百年风霜的墙垣之后。

Decorated gate of the Royal Palace of Fez, Morocco

In Fez, Morocco, the Royal Palace—known as Dar al-Makhzen—has stood as a seat of power since the 13th century, when Morocco's rulers established a fortified royal city around it. Behind its high walls lie gardens, courtyards, mosques, and royal residences spread across a vast complex still used by the king today, making it both historic and fully active.

Today's image captures what most visitors come to see: the palace's iconic gates at Place des Alaouites. Seven towering brass doors gleam with a golden sheen, framed by colorful geometric tiles and carved cedar wood that reflect remarkable craftsmanship. Each arch showcases Moroccan artistry, where precise patterns, symmetry, and rich materials blend into a striking visual display admired by travelers.

You can't step inside, but standing before these monumental doors feels like standing at the threshold of history. Royal life, ceremony, and legend remain just beyond view, hidden behind walls that have stood for centuries.

马尔萨什洛克港口五彩斑斓的渔船，马耳他 Colorful boats in Marsaxlokk Harbor, Malta (© Klubovy/Getty Images)

色彩鲜艳的船只，历久弥新的传统 Bright boats, timeless traditions

马尔萨什洛克港口五彩斑斓的渔船，马耳他

色彩斑斓的“卢祖”（luzzu）——即马耳他的传统渔船——停满了马萨什洛克（Marsaxlokk）那避风港湾的水面；这座村庄坐落于马耳他东南沿海，距离首都瓦莱塔仅需短途车程。作为该国主要的渔业中心之一，这里的生活节奏始终与大海的律动保持着和谐的步调。村庄约有4000名居民，并以其充满活力的滨海区域而闻名——尤其是广受欢迎的周日鱼市，以及每天清晨满载新鲜渔获归来的船只。

“卢祖”（luzzu）这种传统船只适应了当地水域的特性，至今仍在使用。它们漆成鲜艳的蓝、黄、红、绿等色调，在港口内密集排列。每艘船的船头都绘有一对眼睛——这一源自古代地中海传统的图案，被认为能保佑水手在海上航行平安。这些船只共同构成了一道既实用又极具视觉冲击力的风景。

Colorful boats in Marsaxlokk Harbor, Malta

Colorful luzzus—traditional Maltese fishing boats—fill the sheltered harbor of Marsaxlokk, a village on Malta's southeastern coast. Just a short drive from Valletta, the island's capital, it remains one of the country's main fishing hubs, where daily life follows the steady pace of the sea. Home to roughly 4,000 residents, the village is also widely known for its lively waterfront, especially its popular Sunday fish market, and for the steady return of boats carrying fresh catches each morning.

The luzzus are adapted to local waters and remain in active use today. Painted in bright shades of blue, yellow, red, and green, they line the harbor in tight clusters. Each bears a pair of painted eyes on the bow—a symbol rooted in ancient Mediterranean traditions, believed to protect sailors at sea. Together, they create a scene that is as practical as visually striking.

马尔萨什洛克港口五彩斑斓的渔船，马耳他 Helsinki's shoreline during blue hour, Uusimaa, Finland (© Klubovy/Getty Images)

色彩鲜艳的船只，历久弥新的传统 Daughter of the Baltic

马尔萨什洛克港口五彩斑斓的渔船，马耳他

色彩斑斓的“卢祖”（luzzu）——即马耳他的传统渔船——停满了马萨什洛克（Marsaxlokk）那避风港湾的水面；这座村庄坐落于马耳他东南沿海，距离首都瓦莱塔仅需短途车程。作为该国主要的渔业中心之一，这里的生活节奏始终与大海的律动保持着和谐的步调。村庄约有4000名居民，并以其充满活力的滨海区域而闻名——尤其是广受欢迎的周日鱼市，以及每天清晨满载新鲜渔获归来的船只。

“卢祖”（luzzu）这种传统船只适应了当地水域的特性，至今仍在使用。它们漆成鲜艳的蓝、黄、红、绿等色调，在港口内密集排列。每艘船的船头都绘有一对眼睛——这一源自古代地中海传统的图案，被认为能保佑水手在海上航行平安。这些船只共同构成了一道既实用又极具视觉冲击力的风景。

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Finland is famous for the northern lights, its high happiness rankings, saunas, and thousands of lakes. Helsinki adds history, design, and the Baltic Sea to that list. The story begins in 1550, when King Gustav I of Sweden founded a trading town that would become Finland's capital in 1812. Today, a walk through the city can take you from Senate Square and the white-domed Helsinki Cathedral to the sea fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible by ferry.

Over 70% of Helsinki's 265-square-mile area is water. The city stretches across more than 300 islands, giving residents easy access to parks, forests, and the shoreline. Visiting in autumn? You're in luck. The surrounding forests offer bilberries, lingonberries, and mushrooms that people can forage under Finland's Everyman's Right. If you work up an appetite, try karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies), creamy salmon soup, or a warm cinnamon bun with coffee. Watch out for the trams and cyclists. And if someone lends a hand, 'kiitos'—thank you—goes a long way.

大批熔岩流涌入大洋，大岛，夏威夷州，美国 A series of lava flows spill into the ocean, Big Island, Hawaii, USA (© Ken McCurdy/Getty Images)

基拉韦厄火山的威力 The power of Kīlauea

大岛上的熔岩流涌入海洋, 夏威夷

大多数地貌的演变历时数千年，而火山却能在短短数小时内重塑地貌——在夏威夷大岛，这一过程至今仍在持续。为了保护这一不断变化的环境及其所蕴含的科学与自然价值，夏威夷火山国家公园于1916年8月1日正式成立。一个多世纪以来，该公园一直致力于保护这片占地超过35万英亩的区域，其中包括火山地貌、原生森林以及各类珍稀野生动植物。

这座国家公园以其境内的两座火山——基拉韦厄和冒纳罗亚——命名。基拉韦厄是世界上最活跃的火山之一；在某些喷发期间，熔岩会顺坡而下流入太平洋，冷却后形成新的岩石。冒纳罗亚则是按体积计算全球最大的活火山，自1843年有明确记录的首次喷发以来，已喷发过34次。该公园也是多种珍稀生物的家园，其中包括夏威夷的州鸟——夏威夷雁，以及濒临灭绝的夏威夷圆尾鹱。值此周年纪念之际，这座公园继续守护着这片不断演变的动态景观。

Lava flows spill into the ocean on Big Island, Hawaii

Most landscapes change over thousands of years. Volcanoes can reshape them in a matter of hours, and on Hawaii's Big Island, they continue to do just that. Recognizing the scientific and natural importance of this ever-changing environment, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established on August 1, 1916. For more than a century, it has protected over 350,000 acres of volcanic terrain, native forests, and rare wildlife.

The national park is named after its two volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and during some eruptions, its lava flows downhill to the Pacific Ocean, where it cools into new rock. Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano by volume, has erupted 34 times since its first well-documented eruption in 1843. The park is also home to species such as the nēnē, Hawaii's state bird, and the endangered Hawaiian petrel. As it marks another anniversary today, the park continues to protect a landscape that never stands still.

鸟瞰弗吉尼亚爬山虎步道，达马斯克斯，弗吉尼亚州，美国 Aerial view of the Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus, Virginia, USA (© Eifel Kreutz/Getty Images)

穿越时光的足迹 Trailing through time

弗吉尼亚爬山虎步道, 达马斯克斯, 弗吉尼亚州

有些铁路会退出历史舞台，而“弗吉尼亚爬山虎步道”则实现了华丽转身。这条步道全长34.3英里，横贯弗吉尼亚州西南部，沿用了一条昔日的铁路线——该线路曾用于在阿巴拉契亚山脉间运输木材和铁矿石。步道那独特的名字，源自20世纪初那些在陡峭坡道上艰难爬行的蒸汽机车。

这条步道以被誉为“美国步道之城”的大马士革为中心，因其47座木制栈桥、壮丽的山景和丰富的户外探险活动而闻名。大马士革也是为数不多的阿巴拉契亚步道直接穿过镇中心主街的地点之一。

这条步道的一大亮点是从怀特托普站到大马士革长达17英里的下坡骑行路段；怀特托普站是全线最高点，海拔3,500英尺。骑行者几乎无需踩踏踏板，即可顺势滑行下降约1,600英尺。另一处引人注目的景观是“高架栈桥”，这是一座长550英尺、高出下方山谷100英尺的桥梁。受2024年“海伦”飓风破坏影响，该步道的上段目前因修复工作而关闭，而大马士革至阿宾登的路段则继续开放。

Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus, Virginia

Some railways retire. The Virginia Creeper Trail simply changed gears. Stretching 34.3 miles through southwest Virginia, this trail follows a former rail line once used to haul lumber and iron ore through the Appalachian Mountains. Its unusual name traces back to the steam locomotives that labored up steep grades in the early 1900s.

Centered around Damascus, known as 'Trail Town USA,' the trail is famous for its 47 wooden trestles, sweeping mountain views, and outdoor adventures. Damascus is also one of the few places where the Appalachian Trail passes directly through a town's Main Street.

One of the trail's highlights is a 17-mile downhill ride from Whitetop Station, the route's highest point at 3,500 feet, to Damascus. Riders can coast nearly 1,600 feet downhill with little pedaling. Another standout feature is the High Trestle, a 550-foot bridge that rises 100 feet above the valley below. Following damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024, the upper section remains closed for restoration, while the Damascus-to-Abingdon section continues to stay open.

在纳瓦霍族保留地的纪念碑谷，亚利桑那州，美国 Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, Arizona, USA (© Westend61/Adobe Stock)

旷野无声，活态传承之境 A landscape of living heritage

纪念碑谷在纳瓦霍族保留地，亚利桑那州，美国

在纳瓦霍族保留地，亚利桑那州与犹他州交界处，美国，有些景观举世闻名，而纪念碑谷则堪称传奇。这一沙漠奇观横跨州界，其地貌由高耸的砂岩孤峰塑造而成，这些孤峰从谷底拔地而起，高度可达1000英尺。在纳瓦霍语中，该地区被称为 Tsé Bii' Ndzisgaii（意为“岩石之谷”），它将壮丽的地质构造与鲜活的民族文化完美融合。

山谷标志性的红色源于砂岩中蕴含的氧化铁与锰；而纳瓦霍传说则讲述了另一个故事：著名的米滕孤峰——这些标志性的砂岩地貌——是巨人在一场大战后散落在地上的双手。自导演约翰·福特在《关山飞渡》和《搜索者》等经典影片中将其作为取景地后，纪念碑谷便成为了好莱坞公认的“西部荒野”背景。如今，游客可以驻足于“约翰·福特点”，这是该地区最著名的取景地之一。

一条17英里长的自驾景观路揭示了山谷的标志性地标，而由纳瓦霍人向导带领的深度游则提供了进入私人领地和获取更深层文化洞察的机会。在这里，每一处岩石地貌都承载着属于自己的独特故事。

Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, Arizona

Some landscapes are famous. Monument Valley is legendary. Straddling the Arizona–Utah border within the Navajo Nation, this desert wonder is shaped by towering sandstone buttes that rise as much as 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Known in Navajo as Tsé Bii' Ndzisgaii—'valley of the rocks'—the region blends dramatic geology with living culture.

The valley's iconic red hue comes from iron oxide and manganese in the sandstone, while Navajo legend tells a different story: the famous Mitten Buttes—iconic sandstone formations—are the hands of a giant scattered across the Earth after a great battle. Monument Valley became Hollywood's go-to Wild West backdrop after director John Ford featured it in classics such as 'Stagecoach' and 'The Searchers.' Today, visitors can stop at John Ford's Point, one of the area's most photographed viewpoints.

A self-guided, 17-mile scenic drive reveals the valley's landmarks, while Navajo-led tours provide access to hidden sites and deeper cultural insights. Here, every rock formation carries its own story.

蒂芙尼穹顶，芝加哥文化中心，伊利诺伊州，美国 Tiffany Dome, Chicago Cultural Center, Illinois, USA (© Felix Lipov/Shutterstock)

仰望芝城，流光溢彩 Chicago, look up!

蒂芙尼穹顶在芝加哥文化中心，美国

步入位于美国，伊利诺伊州，芝加哥文化中心的建筑内部，目光瞬间会被上方绚丽夺目的彩色顶棚——蒂芙尼穹顶所吸引。这座艺术杰作悬挂在普雷斯顿·布拉德利大厅上方，直径约38英尺，由约30,000片法夫里尔玻璃组成，每片玻璃都呈鱼鳞状。阳光透过其半透明的表面，在错综复杂的图案中映射出变幻莫测的蓝色与金色。

该建筑于1897年作为芝加哥首座中央公共图书馆正式开放，旨在展示卓越的工艺水准与公民自豪感。如今，它已转型为一个免费的文化枢纽，承载着各类展览、演出及公共项目。

该穹顶曾长期隐藏在保护性外层之下，于2008年完成全面修复，让自然光重新照进这一历史空间。在光影映衬下，建筑结构与艺术美学有机融合，将曾经的阅读室转变为这座城市最震撼的室内景观之一。

Tiffany Dome, Chicago Cultural Center, Illinois

Step inside the Chicago Cultural Center, and your eyes are instantly drawn upward to a glowing canopy of color—the Tiffany Dome. Suspended above Preston Bradley Hall, this masterpiece spans approximately 38 feet in diameter and is composed of roughly 30,000 pieces of Favrile glass, each shaped like a fish scale. Sunlight filters through its translucent surface, shifting blues and golds across its intricate pattern.

The building beneath it opened in 1897 as Chicago's first central public library, designed to showcase craftsmanship and civic pride. Today, it serves as a free cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, performances, and public programs.

Once hidden beneath a protective outer layer, the dome was fully restored in 2008, reintroducing natural light to this historic space. Beneath its glow, architecture and artistry merge, transforming a former reading room into one of the city's most striking interiors.

红树上的日出在小猪群岛，洪都拉斯 Sunrise on a red mangrove in the Pig Keys, Honduras (© Mac Stone/Tandem Stills + Motion)

海陆际会，生机肇始 Between land and sea, life begins

保护红树林生态系统国际日

在洪都拉斯小猪群岛的日出时分——那是掩映在红树林湿地中低矮的沿海小岛——一株红树将其交错的根系挺立于如镜的水面之上。这幅动人的画面精准捕捉了7月26日所庆祝的主题：保护红树林生态系统国际日，该节日的设立旨在呼吁全球关注这些至关重要的海岸森林。

红树林在咸水与陆地的交汇处生机盎然，利用特化的根系在柔软且贫氧（Oxygen-poor）的泥层中固着,它们密集的根系网络能够减缓波浪冲击、减轻侵蚀，并保护沿海社区免受风暴侵袭。在水面之下，这些根系为幼鱼、螃蟹和虾类提供了庇护所，使这些湿地成为海洋中最具生产力的育幼场之一。

在像洪都拉斯这样的地区，红树林资源丰富的沿海湿地还储存着大量的碳，并维持着当地的生计。然而，这些生态系统正在迅速消失，使得生态保育变得迫在眉睫。注视着日出穿透那些拱形枝干的光芒——你正在见证地球上最强大的天然防御屏障之一正在发挥作用。

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

At sunrise in Honduras' Pig Keys—small, low-lying coastal islets tucked within mangrove-rich wetlands—a red mangrove lifts its tangled roots above glassy water. This striking scene captures what July 26 celebrates: the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, created to spotlight these vital coastal forests.

Mangroves thrive where saltwater and land collide, using specialized roots to anchor in soft, oxygen-poor mud. Their dense networks calm waves, reduce erosion, and shield communities from storms. Beneath the surface, those same roots shelter young fish, crabs, and shrimp, making these wetlands one of the ocean's most productive nurseries.

In places like Honduras, mangrove-rich coastal wetlands also store large amounts of carbon and support local livelihoods. Yet these ecosystems are disappearing rapidly, making conservation urgent. Watch the sunrise glow through those arching branches, —and you're witnessing one of Earth's most powerful natural defenses at work.