纪录片《美丽中国》 第23期 云翔天际（5）（在线收听）

Winding westwards into the hills,

蜿蜒向西深入山地

these were once some of the most important highways in Asia,

曾一度是亚洲地区的要道

the southwesterntea and silk road.

西南部的茶马古道(即为西南丝绸之路)

Built thousands of years ago,

茶马古道源于古代西南边疆的茶马互市兴于唐宋盛于明清

the southwestern tea and silk road gaveaccess tothe world beyond China's borders,

西南茶马古道越过中国的边境迎来了远自罗马的商人与旅者

carrying tradesmen and travellers fromas far away asRome.

将这片古老土地与世界相连

Wars werefought overaccess to this tiny path,

这条路上曾燃烧过连绵的战火

the only sure routein or out ofChina,

也是出入当时中国的唯一咽喉要道

that was guaranteed to be clear of snow all year round.

必须要保证全年畅通无阻

So, what causes Gaoligongshan's strange and remarkable climate?

那么是什么造就了高黎贡山独特的气候

In late May, gusts of wind arrive,

五月后旬阵风来临

bringing with them the key to Gaoligongshan's mystery.

带来了解开高黎贡山气候之谜的钥匙

The winds are hot and saturated with water.

热风富含水分

They come all the way from the Indian Ocean.

它们完全来自于印度洋

Channelled by Yunnan's unique geography,

受云南独特地形的影响

they bring with them the moisture of the tropical monsoon.

热带季风带来了充沛的雨量

The giant river valleys,created millions of years ago,

形成于千百万年前的巨大河谷

act likeimmense funnels.

如同巨大的漏斗一般

The gorges are so deep and narrow,

这些峡谷深邃狭长

that the moist warm air is driven right up into the north of Yunnan.

引导湿热气流径直流向滇北

The result is rain, in torrents!

然后就是降雨暴泄的狂流