Time Zone |
Asia/Shanghai |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Europe/Riga |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Zigong, located in the south of Sichuan Province, is a national historical and cultural city with a history of more than 2,000 years, and enjoys a good reputation in China and abroad as the "Thousand-Year-Old Salt Capital", "Light City of the South" and "Hometown of Dinosaurs". The city has a history of national-level history and culture. As an important source of salt in ancient China, Zigong well salt mining history can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty became "affluent A Shuzhong" salt center, leaving behind the Millennium Salt Road, Dongyuan Wells and other sites. The Zigong Dinosaur Museum is one of the earliest dinosaur museums in the world, with a collection of more than 200 complete dinosaur fossils, known as the "Oriental Dragon Palace". The Zigong Lantern Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, has been practiced since the Tang and Song dynasties, and now attracts tourists from all over the world with its reputation as the "No. 1 Lantern in the World," which is a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology that lights up the city's night sky. This city of history and vitality invites you to explore with its unique charm.
Valka is an important border city in northeastern Latvia, closely linked to the Estonian city of Valga, which together form a unique "twin city". The city is located about 160 km northeast of Riga and is the central administrative center of the town of Valka.
Valka covers an area of about 14.4 square kilometers and has a population of about 5,000. The city is located in the hinterland of the Baltic Sea region and has historically been an important trading hub. It is unique in that it shares urban space with Varga, Estonia, and the border line runs directly through the city, making it a model for cross-border cooperation within the European Union.
Varka, first documented in 1286, has a medieval architectural heritage, including St. Catherine's Church. The history of Latvia's national awakening movement is vividly presented in the city museum. The annual Border Culture Festival promotes cultural exchange between residents of both countries.
As a special border city within the EU Schengen area, the Varka-Varga region has a unique cross-border commuting pattern. The local economy is dominated by logistics, retail and services, capitalizing on its hub location connecting the Baltic States. the opening of a joint bus system in 2019 further strengthens regional integration.
Visitors can experience the unique border landmark of "one step between two countries" and visit the ruins of Valka Castle Hill. The neighboring Vilcasius National Park offers a wealth of eco-tourism routes, and in winter you can participate in cross-country skiing, a popular activity in the Baltic Sea region.