黑龙江哈尔滨中央大街英文导游词-导游英语(2)

　　The nost interesting building along zhongyang street is the modern hotel. it was constructed in 1913. it is of an attractive outlook and magnificently decorated. it has a typical baroque style of the neo-artistic period. at first, it was invested and managed by a jewish frenchman. the origin of its chinese name once aroused the interest of many people. there was a column in newspaper for debating its origin. some held its chinese name came from the word "mother", some said it came from "modern". however, modern seemed to overwhelm mother as you can see the hotel now used the modern hotel as its english name.

　　Modern hotel has all the facilities of a modern hotel including well-decorated suites, dining rooms and medium and small-sized meeting rooms in european palatial styles. there is a legendary oil painting hanging on a wall on the landing of the first floor. it was painted a famous russian painter. he was inspired by "divine comedy"composed by dante. it shows a pretty girl saved by angels from confinement by insects and demons;the girl who endured tortures in hell was about to rise to heaven. this picture was painted red during the cultural revolution. after the cultural revolution, the original painting was restored. now we are able to appreciate its artistic charm.

　　In the past few decades, modern hotel has catered to many famous people, such as well known chinese writers guo moruo and ding ling, and a renowned painter, xu berhong. those who have stayed here also include distinguished american celebrities such as anna louise strong, edgar snow yue-sai kan. movie studios have shot movies here. "harbin in the dark night", "london inspiration", "the orient express to moscow"have left people lasting memories.

　　Opposite the modern hotel, there is huamei restaurant. it was malse restaurant serving western food. after liberation, it was rebuilt several times and two more stories have been added. however, its original european style had been kept. it was reported in 1973 that there were 260 western restaurants in harbin, with over 100 concentrated along zhongyang street. huamei restaurant was one of the best known. now it serves many specialties, such as russian dishes, potted cattle tail, french egg and fried prawns. it is said a russian celebrity who used to serve in the army once visited huamei. after dinner, he could not help praising food served in huamei. he declared the russian dishes here surpassed those in russia. he would send chefs from russia to huamei to learn to cook when he got back Home. now that you know huamei, your knowledge of zhongyang street will not be complete if you have not tried the food here.

　　Further in the front, we can see the education bookstore. it was constructed in 1909. it is a baroque construction, extravagant and novel, with bold lines and strong contrast. over the entrance, there are two staturs. they are titans in greek fairy tales. the male is atlas and the female is galliached. it is said they hold up the sky with heads and shoulders. education relates to the future of a country. may these titans hold up the building of education, and accompany us to a prosperous tomorrow.

　　Opposite to the education bookstore, the building in the neo-artistic style is qiulin department store. it is characterized by simple structure, flexible lay out, free style, and curved decoration. qiulin was constructed in 1903. in the past few decades, it has transformed from a colonial company. it has witnessed great changes in zhongyang street.

　　Many people say zhongyang street is a street of architecture as over 70 buildings appear in different styles. some state it is a small paris in the orient; some assert it is a moscow in the orient; some declare it is a symphony. when you step on this cobbled street, it is as if you could hear a prelude. as you go further along the street, you can see the women and children's department store, and the flood control monument at the riverside, as if their varied structures were different chapters constituting a harmonious tune. this symphony accompanies the people in harbin as they suffered before liberation, wandered through the cultural revolution, and ushered in the reform and opening up, and encourages them to face up to the magnificent 21st century.