Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1533 1449.

Li Xiao stood in the airport's departure hall, holding a ticket to Yunnan. The sun shone through the huge French windows onto his face, reflecting his slightly nervous yet expectant expression. Today, he will start a new journey, exploring China's beautiful mountains and rivers with his good friend Huang Pengfei.

"Brother Xiao, are you ready?" Huang Pengfei's voice came from behind, interrupting Li Xiao's thoughts.

Li Xiao turned around and looked at Huang Pengfei's smiling face. The tension in his heart suddenly dissipated a lot. "Pengfei, I'm ready, how about you?"

Huang Pengfei patted his backpack and smiled confidently: "Of course, I can't wait to start this trip."

  The two walked towards the boarding gate side by side, their hearts filled with curiosity about the unknown and yearning for the beautiful scenery.
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The plane slowly landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei walked out of the cabin and were greeted by the warm sunshine and fresh air unique to Yunnan. Their first destination was Kunming's Stone Forest, a place known as the "World Karst Natural Museum".

"Brother Xiao, look at the stones over there, they are so amazing!" Huang Pengfei pointed to the stone pillars of various shapes in the distance, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Li Xiao was also deeply attracted by the scene before him. They strolled in the stone forest, feeling the wonders of nature. The sunlight shone through the cracks in the rocks and sprinkled on them, forming mottled light and shadows.

"Pengfei, look at the stone pillar over there. Doesn't it look like an old man watching over this land?" Li Xiao said, pointing to a peculiarly shaped stone.

Huang Pengfei responded with a smile: "It is a bit like that, but I think it is more like a wise man, quietly pondering the mysteries of the world."

The two of them played in the Stone Forest for a long time, and left reluctantly until the sun set. They found a local specialty restaurant, tasted Yunnan's cross-bridge rice noodles and flower cakes, and felt the Yunnan food culture.

After dinner, they watched a Yunnan folk dance performance, admired the colorful folk costumes and dance moves, and felt the profound cultural heritage of Yunnan.

As night fell, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei returned to the hotel. They sat on the balcony, drinking Pu'er tea and talking about what they had seen and heard that day.

"Brother Xiao, the stone forest today is so spectacular. I never thought that nature could be so beautiful." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, every place has its own unique beauty. We will definitely gain a lot from this trip."

The two smiled at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation for the future journey.

The morning sun shines through the gaps in the curtains and falls on Li Xiao's face. He opens his eyes, stretches himself, and feels the fresh air of Yunnan. Today, they will go to the ancient city of Lijiang, a place full of history and culture.

"Brother Xiao, get up quickly, we are going to Lijiang Ancient Town today!" Huang Pengfei's voice sounded outside the door with a hint of urgency.

Li Xiao quickly put on his clothes, and the two of them, carrying their backpacks, set off on their journey to Lijiang. Along the way, they admired the scenery along the way and talked about their expectations for Lijiang.

After several hours of driving, they finally arrived at Lijiang Ancient Town. The stone streets, quaint buildings, and the sound of gurgling water in the ancient town made the two of them feel as if they had traveled through time and space and returned to that ancient era.

"The buildings here are so unique. Every stone and every window seem to be telling a story," Li Xiao exclaimed.

Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement: "Yes, and look over there, those Naxi elders, they are wearing traditional ethnic costumes, they are really charming."

The two strolled through the ancient city and visited famous attractions such as Mufu, Sifang Street, and Heilongtan. They also tried local special snacks such as chicken bean jelly and Naxi grilled fish, and they were full of praise for every bite.

In the afternoon, they sat down in a teahouse, tasted the local Pu'er tea, listened to the Naxi ancient music coming from the teahouse, and felt the tranquility and harmony of the ancient city.

"Brother Xiao, do you feel that the pace of life here is completely different from our usual life?" Huang Pengfei asked.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Of course, there is no hustle and bustle of the city here, only tranquility and leisure, which makes people feel very relaxed."

As night fell, the night view of Lijiang Ancient Town was even more beautiful. They climbed up the Lion Rock and overlooked the entire ancient town, which was brightly lit like pearls inlaid in the night.

"Pengfei, look, the night view is so beautiful. I think our trip is really worthwhile." Li Xiao said with emotion.

Huang Pengfei also nodded: "Yes, every trip allows us to see a different world and experience a different life. This is the charm of travel."

The two sat quietly on Lion Rock, enjoying the tranquility and beauty, and left reluctantly until late at night.

In the morning, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei woke up in the inn in the ancient city of Lijiang. They packed their bags and prepared to go to their next destination, Dali. Dali, a place with the reputation of "wind, flowers, snow and moon", is famous for its tranquility of Erhai Lake and the customs of the Bai people.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that Erhai Lake in Dali is very beautiful. I really want to see it soon." Huang Pengfei said excitedly while packing his luggage.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "I have been looking forward to it for a long time. Dali not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also rich ethnic culture. We will definitely gain a lot."

After several hours of driving, the two finally arrived in Dali. They first came to the edge of Erhai Lake, where the lake was crystal clear and the surface of the lake was sparkling. The Cangshan Mountain in the distance and the Erhai Lake complemented each other, forming a moving picture.

"The scenery here is so beautiful, I feel like my soul has been cleansed." Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao also felt the same way: "Yes, the tranquility of Erhai Lake makes people feel relaxed and happy. How about we rent a boat and go rowing on the lake?"

The two rented a boat and rowed on the Erhai Lake, enjoying the breeze and sunshine on the lake. They also visited the nearby Xizhou Ancient Town, experienced the Bai ethnic group's three-course tea culture, and tasted local specialties such as milk fan and pickled fish.

"Brother Xiao, look at the Bai people's houses over there. The architectural style is really unique, and the people here are very hospitable." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the Bai people's houses not far away.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, the Bai people's architectural style, like their culture, has a profound historical background. By the way, how about we go to see the Bai people's Bawang Whip Dance tonight?"

Huang Pengfei agreed excitedly. In the evening, they watched the Bai ethnic group's Bawang whip dance performance in the square of the ancient town. The dancers wore gorgeous ethnic costumes, held Bawang whips, and danced to a brisk rhythm, which made people feel the unique charm of Bai culture.

After the performance, the two strolled through the alleys of the ancient town, tasting local snacks and enjoying the tranquility of the night.

"Brother Xiao, today's trip is so wonderful. I feel that every stop of our trip is full of surprises." Huang Pengfei said with emotion. Li Xiao smiled and replied: "Yes, every trip is a new exploration, and we still have many unknown places waiting for us to discover."

The two continued their night tour under the moonlight and did not return to the inn to rest until late at night.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei spent a quiet night in the inn in Dali. The next morning, they set off for Guilin with a vision of a new journey. Guilin is famous for its Lijiang River landscape and Zhuang folk customs.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that Guilin's landscape is the best in the world. Are you looking forward to it?" Huang Pengfei asked excitedly on the train.

Li Xiao looked at the scenery passing by outside the window and replied with a smile: "Of course I am looking forward to it. Guilin's landscape has a high status in paintings and poems. I really want to see how beautiful it is with my own eyes."

After a long journey, they finally arrived in Guilin. Standing by the Li River, the two were deeply attracted by the scenery in front of them. The water of the Li River was crystal clear, and the mountains on both sides were of different shapes, like a flowing landscape painting.

"The mountains and rivers here are so beautiful, as if they came out of a painting," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao also felt the same way: "Yes, such scenery is refreshing. How about we rent a bamboo raft and drift along the Li River?"

The two rented a bamboo raft and, under the guidance of the boatman, began their rafting trip on the Li River. Along the way, they admired famous attractions such as the Nine Horses Painting Mountain and the Yellow Cloth Reflection, each of which made people linger.

"Brother Xiao, look at the mountain over there, it really looks like there are nine horses running." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the mountain in the distance.

Li Xiao nodded: "Indeed, the wonders of nature are truly amazing."

After the rafting, they tasted Guilin rice noodles and beer fish in a small restaurant by the river. These authentic delicacies made them scream with excitement.

After dinner, they attended a Zhuang song and dance performance. On the stage, Zhuang men and women dressed in festive costumes, danced happily, sang melodious songs, and demonstrated the unique charm of Zhuang culture.

"Brother Xiao, look at their dance and songs, they are really contagious. I can't help but want to dance along." Huang Pengfei said with a smile.

Li Xiao also smiled: "Yes, the Zhuang culture is really vibrant, and their songs and dances make people happy."

After the performance, the two took a walk along the river bank, enjoying the tranquility of the night and the cool river breeze.

"Pengfei, today's trip was so wonderful. I feel every stop of our trip was full of surprises." Li Xiao said with emotion.

Huang Pengfei nodded: "Yes, every trip allows us to see a different world and experience a different life. This is the charm of travel."

The two continued their night tour under the moonlight and returned to the hotel to rest late at night.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei left unforgettable memories in the mountains and waters of Guilin, and with the expectation of a new journey, they set off for Zhangjiajie, which is famous for its unique stone pillars and Tujia folk customs.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that the mountains in Zhangjiajie are very peculiar, like stone pillars piercing the sky. Can you imagine what that scene is like?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously on the train.

Li Xiao looked out the window, his eyes sparkling with anticipation: "I've seen some photos, but I believe it will be more shocking to see it with my own eyes. Also, I heard that the Tujia culture there is also very unique. I'm looking forward to experiencing it in person."

After several hours of driving, the two finally arrived in Zhangjiajie. Standing at the entrance of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, they were deeply shocked by the scene before them. The stone pillars towered into the sky in various shapes, like sculptures of nature.

"The mountains here are so spectacular. Each peak has its unique shape and story," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, and the natural environment here is very well protected. We can feel the magnificence of these mountains up close. Let's go to Huangshizhai first, which is the essence of Zhangjiajie."

The two took the cable car to Huangshizhai and stood on the observation deck. Looking out, they saw thousands of peaks competing for beauty and surrounded by clouds and mist, like a fairyland on earth.

"Brother Xiao, look at the mountains over there. They look like huge stalagmites. It's incredible." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the mountains in the distance.

Li Xiao also sighed: "Indeed, the mountains here are of different shapes, and each one has its own unique beauty. Moreover, the air here is also very fresh, which makes people feel relaxed and happy."

During the few days in Zhangjiajie, they visited famous scenic spots such as Jinbianxi, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain, and they were so fascinated by each one. They also tasted local Tujia delicacies, such as Tujia bacon, sour soup fish, etc., and they were very satisfied with each dish.

"Brother Xiao, the Tujia cuisine here is so delicious, especially the sour soup fish, which is sour, spicy and delicious, and makes people linger on the aftertaste." Huang Pengfei said while eating.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, the food in each place has its own unique flavor, which is also one of the pleasures of traveling. By the way, how about we go to see a Tujia dance performance tonight?"

Huang Pengfei agreed excitedly. In the evening, they watched a wonderful dance performance in the Tujia village. The dancers wore traditional ethnic costumes and danced rhythmically, showing the unique charm of Tujia culture.

After the performance, the two strolled along the village path, enjoying the tranquility of the night and the cool mountain breeze.

"Brother Xiao, today's trip was so wonderful. I feel every stop of our trip was full of surprises." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, every trip is a new exploration, and we still have many unknown places waiting for us to discover."

The two continued their night tour under the moonlight and returned to the hotel to rest late at night.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei left deep memories in the strange peaks and rocks of Zhangjiajie. With a desire for the unknown, they continued their journey in China. The next stop they chose was Huangshan, a place famous for its strange pines, strange rocks, sea of ​​clouds and hot springs.

"Brother Xiao, the sea of ​​clouds in Huangshan is said to be very spectacular. Are you looking forward to it?" Huang Pengfei asked expectantly on the train to Huangshan.