By Xing Bao

　　THE Niagara Falls are not the widest or highest waterfalls in the world but their energy and magnificent beauty makes a deep impression on those lucky enough to have seen them.

　　According to one beautiful legend about the Niagara River, which flowssintosthe falls, the head of a local tribe once took a fancy to a girl and wanted to marry her. However, this girl looked forward to a free life, so she took a canoe and rowed it up the river on her wedding night. Rather than marry, she threw herselfsintoswater, turningsintosa fairy maiden and praying for god to bless humans. From that time on, the Niagara has never flooded and it has been regarded as a dwelling place of the gods.

　　A place with abundant water is often thought to be endowed with some natural intelligence. Ontario is such a place, with the Niagara Falls on its southern boundary.

　　In the local Indian language, Ontario means "Lively Water". It has been a source of very different experiences for people, from its complicated modern metropolis of Toronto to endless open country, from the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula to the forests in the North, along with the world's most picturesque lakes.

　　Such differences are naturally gathered in Ontario without any sharp conflicts. More than 100 nationalities, speaking a wide diversity of languages, live on this land in harmony with each other.

　　Ontario is lucky to have Toronto and Ottawa, two of the most important cities in Canada. One is a lively city combining traditional elegance with modern prosperity while the other has rich cultural resources. Their special attractions and charming scenes have attracted travellers from throughout the world.

　　Climbing to the top of the Toronto Television Tower (the CN Tower), visitors can enjoy the modern extremity of the world's tallest structure. In Ontario, the world's longest street and Canada's biggest Eaton store demonstrate flourishing prosperity. Even on cold winter days, people can still entertain themselves in the delightful underground part of Eaton store.

　　Ontario, at the same time, is a fashionable place,swherespeople can swim, row boats, play golf, ski and take adventurous hikessintosthe primordial forests.

　　In spite of its modern image, Ontario also presents many appealing counties and small towns to travellers. The Niagara area is the main site of wine production, with extensive vineyards and over 30 wineries. And Niagara town is always peaceful. The smallest church of the world sits on the bank of Niagara - it can only hold six people.

　　The four seasons in Ontario are spectacularly colourful, as the foliage changes hue with the climate. Whether spring, summer, autumn or winter, different expectations and experiences burgeon or fade.

　　Ontario is a province both surrounded and filled with green spaces. Whether in Toronto or in Ottawa, mountains and rivers are easy to find. Numerous lakes, evergreen forests and the pleasing chirps of unknown birds make this populous place full of vitality.