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- The Great Wall Over the centuries the Chinese built not one wall but a vast network of walls to keep foreigners out. Now two foreigners, a writer and a photographer, set off on an unprecedented mission: to follow as much of the walls as they can by car, traveling deep into China’s rural heart.

By Peter Hessler Photographs by Michael Yamashita

- Strangest Volcano on Earth? In a remote corner of Tanzania stands an astonishing mountain called Ol Doinyo Lengai, where lava fountains harden in midair then shatter like glass.

By Joel K Bourne, Jr. Photographs by Carsten Peter

- Dreamweavers The textiles of tomorrow are still on the drawing board. But one day—maybe not so long from now—they could take humans to outer space, make soldiers invisible, keep people in touch with their friends, and move buildings.

By Cathy Newman Photographs by Cary Wolinsky

- Egypt’s Forgotten Treasures They’ve opened the vaults. An exclusive look at Cairo’s Egyptian Museum centennial exhibit includes stunning antiquities on display for the first time ever.

By Zahi Hawass Photographs by Kenneth Garrett

- Japan’s Winter Wildlife A frosted stage gathers red-crowned cranes, whooper swans, sika deer, and snow monkeys. Can Japan turn an ancient reverence for its animals into modern conservation? By Jennifer Ackerman Photographs by Tim Laman

- ZipUSA: Athen, Ohio And they’re off! From dawn to dusk one cloudy day, 114 photography students at Ohio University head out to document a rural zip, and learn a few thing along the way.

By Larry Nighswander