Distinctive Cities： Reading the European Civilization Shrouded in Historical Soul
历史是城市的灵魂，建筑是城市的要素。欧洲人崇尚自己的历史，一座城市建筑往往代表着一种文化，见证着一段历史。历史的延续性成了欧洲城市骄傲的资本。欧洲的城市，无论是大都市，还是小城镇，对空气、空间和卫生的追求，达到了历史与现实的统一，建筑与文化的统一，生态与环境的统一，美丽与内涵的统一。
1.London： The Olympic City and the Fashion City 伦敦——奥运之城，时尚之都
London， the capital of Britain， is a city full of art and history， an important political center and a fashion city， a huge financial market place and a cosmopolitan capital. The city is made up of a"collection of villages"，each area with its own character and community.It is also one of the Olympic cities in history， the site for Olympics for three times.
英国首都伦敦是一座艺术气息和历史氛围浓郁的都城，重要的政治中心和时尚之城，巨大的金融市场和国际化大都市。这个城市是一个“乡村集散地”，每个地方都有自己的特色和社区。它还是历史上的奥运之城，曾经三次举办奥运会。
●The Birth， Development and Olympic Glory of the Historical City 历史之城的诞生、发展与奥运荣光
The name"London"is derived from"Londinium"in Celtic. In 43AD， the Celtic invaded Britain， and built a bridge across the Thames River.After they found it a favorable geographical location， they added a port.In 50AD， the Roman merchants built a town nearby the bridge.So London was born.
Since 1801， London has become the world's largest city because of its superior achievements in politics， economy， culture， entertainment， science and technology. London is not only the British political center， but also the headquarters of international organizations.London is a diverse city.Its people are from all over the world， with a plurality of race， religion and culture.There are more than 300 languages used in the city.London is the world's largest financial center， the world's most important economic centerand the world famous tourist resort， with numerous attractions and museums.
London is by far the host city of the most Summer Olympics and the first city to host Summer Olympics for three times in history. The first time is 1908 Summer Olympics， the second is 1948 Summer Olympics and the third is 2012 Summer Olympics.
“伦敦”这一名字是来自凯尔特语的Londinium。公元43年，凯尔特人入侵英国，之后他们修建了一座跨越泰晤士河的桥梁，接着他们发现这里有利的地理位置，又修建了一座港口。公元50年前后，罗马商人又在桥边兴建了一个城镇，伦敦由此而诞生。
从1801年起，伦敦因其在政治、经济、人文、娱乐、科技发明等领域上的卓越成就，成为全世界最大的都市。伦敦不仅是英国的政治中心，也是是国际组织总部的所在地。伦敦是一个多元化的大都市，居民来自世界各地，多元化的种族、宗教和文化，城市中使用的语言超过300种。伦敦是全球最大的金融中心，世界上最重要的经济中心和世界闻名的旅游胜地，拥有数量众多的名胜景点与博物馆等。
伦敦是迄今为止举办夏季奥运会次数最多的城市，也是历史上首座三度举办奥运会的城市，第一次：1908年伦敦奥运会；第二次：1948年伦敦奥运会；第三次：2012年伦敦奥运会。
●The Fashion Capital and the Shopping Paradise 时尚之都与购物天堂
In 2011， London beat Paris of France， New York of America， becoming the real fashion capital of the world. It was partly caused by the wedding of Will and Kate.However， London is worth the name of fashion with a long history.It is the first choice for fashion shopping.
London is a shopping paradise. There are a variety of commodities， from expensive luxury goods to cheap popular ones， from high-tech computer products to handicraft ones.There are manyhighly unique shopping districts in London.Some areas are the collecting and distributing centers of a commodity.Others are selling all kinds of goods.
The Oxford Street is an important shopping street in London. There gathered more than 300 world brand stores and large shopping malls.Selfridges， the representative of fashion and edgy， appears in the starting point of the street， near the Triumphal Arch subway station.There are also large flagship stores of Nike Town and Topshop， public fashion brand shops of Zara and MUJI， and so on.Those shops of care-free styles for young people are also very conspicuous.This shopping street is known as Europe's busiest street.
2011年，伦敦一举击败法国巴黎和美国纽约，成为真正的全球时尚之都。其部分原因也是因为威廉王子和凯特王妃的大婚，但是伦敦是一个名副其实的历史悠久的时尚之都，它是时尚购物的首选地。
伦敦是一个购物天堂，从昂贵的奢侈品到经济实惠的大众化商品，从高科技计算机产品到手工艺品，都可以在这里找到。伦敦有许多自成一格的购物区，有些地区专门是某项商品的集散地，有些地区则是五花八门。
牛津街是伦敦重要的购物街，超过300家的世界品牌店及大型商场云集于此。在街的起点、靠近地铁凯旋门站的地方，就能看到时尚前卫的代表塞尔福里奇百货公司。还有耐克城、拓扑肖普的大型旗舰店，扎拉、无印良品等大众时尚品牌店。那些面向年轻人的随意轻松风格的店铺也很引人注目。这条购物街被誉为“欧洲最繁忙的街道”。
●Human Landscape of Historic Significance 具有历史意义的人文景点
London—the capital of England， is a racial， religious and cultural melting pot. The antiques and art treasures from every country as well as numerous exhibitions and performances can make you travel around the world within London.
伦敦——英国的首都，一座种族、宗教与文化的大熔炉。来自各个国家的古董和艺术珍品、不计其数的展出表演，让你不出伦敦便环游世界。
Millennium Wheel： The London Eye 千禧之轮——伦敦眼
The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the bank of the Thames River in London， England. The entire structure is 135 meters tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 meters.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe， and the most popular attraction in the United Kingdom， visited by over 3.5 million people annually.When erected in 1999 it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world， until surpassed first by the 160 m Star of Nanchang in 2006 and then the 165 m Singapore Flyer in 2008.
The London Eye， or Millennium Wheel， was officially called the British Airways London Eye and then the Merlin Entertainments London Eye. Since 20 January， 2011， its official name is the EDF Energy London Eye.London Eye was originally the temporary building for the 2000 celebration and would be removed after 5 years.But it was very popular to Englishmen and tourists.Therefore， the local city council decided to reserve the London Eye and protect it as a London landmark.
伦敦眼是个巨大的摩天轮，坐落在英国伦敦泰晤士河畔。总高度为135米，直径为120米。伦敦眼是欧洲最大的摩天轮，是英国红极一时的旅游景点，每年的游客多达350万人。它于1999年开幕，曾经是世界最大的观景摩天轮，后来仅次于2006年新建的南昌之星与2008年建造的新加坡观景轮。
伦敦眼又称为千禧之轮，官方命名为英国航空伦敦眼，后来又叫默林娱乐伦敦之眼。2011年1月20日以后，官方称为英国电网伦敦之眼。伦敦眼本是英国为庆祝2000年的来临而兴建的暂时性建筑，原定5年后拆卸。不过它极受英国人及游客欢迎，当地市议会于是决定长期保留伦敦眼，并把它作为伦敦的地标进行维护。
