Lonely Planet: Roads Less Traveled | 隐世乐土

by Stephanie Manosh

Romantic and exotic, Kazakhstan offers backpackers a break from other tourists.

充满浪漫的异国风情，哈萨克是个让背包客远离观光喧嚣的乐土。

Although it is the largest landlocked country in the world, Kazakhstan does not get much recognition. Or at least it didn't until the film Borat, a mockumentary on the cultural views and ways of the Kazakh people. Taken lightly by everyone except for the people and government of Kazakhstan, Borat is a lighthearted film that offers little in terms of actual facts on the nation as a whole.

Situated in Central Asia between the Caspian Sea, Russia, and western China, Kazakhstan lies at a crossroads among various ethnic groups. This not only makes the landscape diverse but also hospitable to a range of people from a multitude of religious backgrounds. Kazakhs are known for underscoring patience and tolerance as virtues in their day-to-day lives.

Kazakhstan is home to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's largest space launch facility. It was from this site that Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite, was launched in 1957 and the first human, Yuri Gagarin, achieved international fame by orbiting the Earth in 1961.

If your interests don't lie in space, there are more terrestrial things to delight you on the Eurasian Steppe. In truth, Kazakhstan has much to offer adventurous travelers, and that is why National Geographic Channel (NGC) has teamed up with Lonely Planet to offer Roads Less Traveled. In the episode about Kazakhstan, viewers will encounter powder-shredding snowboarders, singing Sufis, and mysteriously abandoned fishing fleets. According to a Kazakh proverb, "There are three things a real man should have: a fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle." All of these and more can be found on Lonely Planet: Roads Less Traveled. This series on NGC explores the hidden gems in Kazakhstan, as well as 12 other countries.

1.  Which sentence best summarizes the article?

(A) Kazakhstan has always been a popular destination for backpackers, but now people flock there because of the space program.

(B) People from Kazakhstan are patient and true to their depiction in the film Borat.

(C) Borat revealed hidden facts about the real Kazakhstan to the world.

(D) Kazakhstan is not like Borat at all and has a number of worthwhile things to see and do.

2.  Based on the tone of the article, what is a "mockumentary"?

(A) A film accurately depicting an event, person, or place.

(B) A documentary-style movie that is a parody of actual facts.

(C) A TV program that shows cultural truths about various ethnic groups.

(D) An educational film that foreigners should watch before going abroad.

3.  What is NOT mentioned about Kazakhstan in the article?

(A) Its tolerance of people from all walks of life.

(B) Fascinating attractions for tourists and adventurers.

(C) The structure of its government.

(D) The achievements of its space program.

答案：1. (D)2. (B)3. (C)

哈萨克虽是全球最大的内陆国家，但在伪纪录片《番石榴特》用嘲弄方式介绍哈萨克的人民和文化之前，并没有太多人认识这个国家，至少在那部电影之前一直是如此。除了哈萨克人和当地政府以外，观众对《番石榴特》并没有看得太认真，因为电影本身是以轻松诙谐的角度出发，内容并无涉及太多整体国家的真实状况。

　　哈萨克位于里海、俄罗斯和中国西部之间的中亚地区，是许多不同民族的集散枢纽。这不仅丰富了它的地方景色，也让它多了一份对来自不同宗教背景人民的包容性。哈萨克人以重视耐心和宽容闻名，而这同时是他们平日生活所展现的美德。

　　哈萨克是全世界最大的太空飞行器发射场――拜科努尔太空发射场的所在地。第一颗人造卫星史普尼克一号就是于 1957 年在此发射，而 1961 年，第一位因绕行地球而享誉国际的航天员尤里‧加加林，他所乘坐的飞行器亦是由此起飞。

　　倘若你的兴趣不在太空，哈萨克欧亚草原的陆上风光一样能让你大饱眼福。事实上，哈萨克拥有许多新奇事物等待爱冒险的旅游者去发掘，这也就是国家地理频道和寂寞星球携手合作，推出《隐世乐土》系列节目的原因。在介绍哈萨克的节目中，观众将欣赏到在雪地滑板扬起粉状白雪的景象、唱颂伊斯兰歌曲的苏菲教信徒，和被神秘遗弃的捕鱼船队。哈萨克谚语说：『一个真正的男人应该要有 3 样东西：快马、猎犬和金鵰。』本月国家地理频道《隐世乐土》系列节目，除了呈献上述及更多不一样的哈萨克，还将探索哈萨克和其他 12 个国家不为人知的珍奇瑰宝。

For Your Information

拜科努尔太空发射场位于哈萨克境内，建于 1955 年 6 月，是前苏联建造的太空飞行器发射场和飞弹试验基地。该发射场拥有 13 个发射台，可以发射载人太空飞行器、大型运载火箭、航天飞机及多种飞弹。冷战结束后，拜科努尔太空发射场归属哈萨克，俄罗斯每年要向哈萨克支付 1.15 亿美元的租金，租用期至 2050 年。1961年 4 月 12 日，尤里‧加加林乘坐『东方一号』载人飞船，从这里出发进入太空，成为世界第一位航天员。（数据源：维基百科）