Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1564 18.

The moment they stepped into Xi'an, they seemed to have traveled through time and space and returned to the prosperous ancient times. The ancient city walls stood majestically, witnessing the vicissitudes of time. The buildings on both sides of the street were quaint, with flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted buildings, making people feel a strong historical atmosphere.

"Wow, Pengfei, it really feels like going back to ancient times here. Look at this city wall, it's so spectacular!" Li Xiao said excitedly.

"Yes, Brother Xiao, I feel like I have become an ancient knight, walking on this city wall." Huang Pengfei responded with a smile, his eyes full of curiosity and love for this city.

They first came to the iconic building of Xi'an - the Bell Tower. Located in the center of Xi'an, the Bell Tower is the largest and best preserved of the existing bell towers in China. The Bell Tower is magnificent, with red walls, green tiles and a brilliant golden roof, which shines brightly under the sun. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood under the Bell Tower, looking up at this ancient building, their hearts filled with awe.

"Do you know that this clock tower used to tell time? The bell would ring every day to remind people of the time." Li Xiao said to Huang Pengfei.

"Really? That's so interesting. Just imagine, in ancient times, people knew what to do when they heard the bell. That must have been a wonderful feeling," Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Then, they came to the Drum Tower, which echoed the Bell Tower. The Drum Tower is more magnificent than the Bell Tower. There is a huge drum on the top of the tower. It is said that in ancient times, the sound of the drum could be heard throughout the city. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei climbed up the Drum Tower, overlooking the surrounding streets and buildings, and felt the prosperity and tranquility of the city.

"Brother Xiao, look over there, there are a lot of people performing traditional music and dance." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the square downstairs.

They walked down the Drum Tower and came to the square to watch a wonderful folk performance. The actors wore gorgeous ancient costumes, played ancient musical instruments, and danced gracefully, showing the unique cultural charm of Xi'an. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei were deeply attracted by this wonderful performance and applauded from time to time.

After enjoying the performance, it was already noon. They decided to try Xi'an's specialty food - mutton soup steamed bun. In a time-honored steamed bun shop, they followed the locals' example and broke the steamed bun into pieces by hand, then handed it to the chef to cook it carefully with mutton soup. Soon, a bowl of steaming mutton soup steamed bun was served on the table. The steamed bun was fragrant, and the steamed bun was soaked in the rich soup, soft in the mouth, and the mutton was tender and juicy. With the addition of pickled garlic and chili sauce, it tasted very delicious.

"Well, this mutton soup with steamed bun is so delicious! I finally understand why people in Xi'an like to eat it so much." Li Xiao praised it while eating.

"Yes, the taste is really unforgettable. I feel like my whole body is full of strength after eating this bowl of Pao Mo." Huang Pengfei also ate with relish.

After lunch, they came to the famous historical and cultural district in Xi'an - Muslim Street. Muslim Street was bustling with all kinds of snacks and special products on both sides of the street. There were fragrant kebabs, crispy hemp leaves, sweet zongzi, exquisite handicrafts, etc., which were dazzling. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei walked around Muslim Street, tasting all kinds of food and buying some special souvenirs.

"Look at this shadow puppet, it's so exquisitely made! Let's buy one and take it back to show our friends." Huang Pengfei picked up a shadow puppet and said to Li Xiao.

"Great, this is very commemorative. Xi'an's traditional culture is really profound and extensive, and these handicrafts are full of rich historical and cultural connotations." Li Xiao said in agreement.

After walking around the Muslim Street, they came to the Xi'an City Wall. They rented two bicycles and rode on the city wall. The city wall is wide and flat, with a circumference of about 14 kilometers. Riding on the city wall, they can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the city while feeling the weight of history. As the sun sets, the afterglow shines on the city wall, adding a mysterious color to this ancient building.

"Brother Xiao, we had a great time in Xi'an today. Not only did we see many historical sites, we also tasted so many delicious foods and learned about the culture of Xi'an." Huang Pengfei said with a smile.

"Yes, Xi'an is really a very charming city. Every corner here is full of stories, making people want to explore. Let's go visit the Terracotta Warriors tomorrow, which is a world-famous miracle." Li Xiao said with anticipation.

"Yes, yes. I have wanted to see the Terracotta Warriors for a long time. I heard that the scene is very spectacular and it will definitely open our eyes." Huang Pengfei responded excitedly.

As night falls, Xi'an becomes more brilliantly lit. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei admire the beautiful night view on the city wall, their hearts filled with love and nostalgia for this city. They look forward to tomorrow's wonderful journey in the Terracotta Warriors, believing that it will be an even more unforgettable experience...

  carry on

Chapter 6: The Eternal Legend of Terracotta Warriors

The morning sun gently shines on the land of Xi'an. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei go to the world-famous Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum with excitement to explore the eternal legend that has been sleeping for thousands of years.

As soon as they entered the museum park, they were enveloped by the solemn and dignified atmosphere. The museum building is simple and majestic, complementing the surrounding environment, as if silently telling the vicissitudes of history. Following the flow of people, they came to the exhibition hall of Pit No. 1 of the Terracotta Warriors. When the magnificent Terracotta Army appeared before their eyes, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei could not help but be deeply shocked.

Thousands of pottery figurines are neatly arranged in the pit, each of them lifelike and with different expressions. Some of them hold weapons and have bright eyes, as if they are ready to fight at any time; some have calm faces and are thoughtful, as if they are thinking about the meaning of war and peace; and some are smiling, as if they are proud of the empire they are protecting. These pottery figurines not only have rich facial expressions, but also have vivid details such as hairstyles, clothing, and armor, which makes people marvel at the superb skills of ancient craftsmen.

"Wow, Brother Xiao, this is so spectacular! I can't believe this was created more than two thousand years ago." Huang Pengfei was so excited that his voice trembled.

"Yes, Pengfei, this is a wonder of the world! Look at these terracotta warriors, each one seems to have its own soul." Li Xiao was also deeply attracted by the scene in front of him and was reluctant to take his eyes off it for a moment.

They walked slowly along the viewing passage, admiring these precious cultural relics up close. With the guide's explanation, they learned about the production process, historical background and archaeological significance of the Terracotta Warriors. These Terracotta Warriors are not only the guardians of the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang, but also the symbol of the glorious civilization of ancient China. They witnessed the power and prosperity of that era.

"How did the ancients make these terracotta warriors on such a large scale and with such fineness?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously. "This is the wisdom of the ancients. It is said that they used a combination of molding and hand-carving, and every step was very rigorous. This also shows that the craftsmanship level during the Qin Dynasty had reached a very high level." Li Xiao replied.

After visiting Pit No. 1, they went to Pit No. 2 and Pit No. 3. Although Pit No. 2 and Pit No. 3 have not yet been excavated on a large scale, their importance and uniqueness can be seen from the terracotta figurines and relics that have been unearthed. Pit No. 2 is a military formation with mixed arms, and Pit No. 3 is considered to be the command center of the military formation. These provide valuable information for studying the military system of the Qin Dynasty.

In the museum, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei also visited some unearthed cultural relics, such as bronze chariots and horses, weapons, etc. Among them, the bronze chariots and horses opened their eyes. The bronze chariots and horses are exquisitely shaped and complexly crafted. Whether it is the structure of the body or the decoration of the horses, they all show a very high level of art. They seem to tell people about the luxury and splendor of the Qin Dynasty.

"These cultural relics are really precious. They are the treasures of our Chinese nation. We must protect them well so that future generations can also appreciate these great historical relics." Li Xiao said with emotion.

"That's right, we must cherish these historical and cultural heritages and let them be passed down forever." Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement.

After visiting the Terracotta Warriors Museum, it was already noon. They tasted the local specialties - Roujiamo and Liangpi at a restaurant near the museum. Roujiamo was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the braised meat was fragrant but not greasy, and the Liangpi was smooth and delicious, sour and spicy, which was appetizing. This simple and delicious food made them enjoy a feast.

"Well, the roujiamo and liangpi are really delicious. Like the Terracotta Warriors, they are both specialties of Xi'an." Huang Pengfei said while eating.

"Haha, yes. The city of Xi'an has both a profound historical and cultural heritage and so many delicious foods. It's really hard to love it enough." Li Xiao responded with a smile.

After lunch, they decided to go to other places in the XA city to feel the blend of modern atmosphere and historical charm of the city. They came to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square, where trees and flowers were in full bloom, and fountains danced to the rhythm of music, attracting many tourists to watch. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is towering into the clouds, solemn and majestic, and is an outstanding representative of Buddhist architectural art in the Tang Dynasty. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei strolled in the square, admiring the majestic posture of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and feeling the unique charm of the city.

"Look, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda looks even more simple and elegant against the backdrop of modern buildings. This city really is a perfect blend of history and modernity," Li Xiao said to Huang Pengfei.

"Yes, I feel that here I can touch the pulse of history and feel the vitality of modern life. Xi'an is really a very special city," Huang Pengfei responded.

After strolling around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square for a while, they came to a nearby bookstore, which was filled with books on history, culture, and art. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei walked through the shelves and picked out a few books that interested them, ready to read during their trip to learn more about Xi'an's history and culture.

As the sun sets, the sky is covered with gorgeous sunset glow, and Xi'an is shrouded in a golden glow. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood on the street, looking at this ancient and vibrant city, their hearts full of emotion and reluctance. They spent a fulfilling and unforgettable day in Xi'an, not only appreciating the eternal legend of the Terracotta Warriors, but also feeling the city's profound historical and cultural heritage and unique charm.

"We are going to our next destination tomorrow, and I am really reluctant to leave Xi'an," said Huang Pengfei.

"Yes, but our journey is still long, and there are many beautiful places waiting for us to explore. Where should we go next?" Li Xiao asked.

"Let me think... why don't we go to Chengdu? I heard there are a lot of delicious food and fun things there." Huang Pengfei suggested.

"Okay, Chengdu is also a very distinctive city. Let's go back and prepare well tonight, and then set off for Chengdu tomorrow." Li Xiao said excitedly.

In anticipation, they returned to the hotel and began to prepare for the next journey. They believed that in Chengdu, there would be more surprises and beauty waiting for them...

Bidding farewell to the historic Xi'an, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set off on a journey to Chengdu. Chengdu, a city known as the "Land of Abundance", attracts countless tourists with its leisurely pace of life, rich food culture and unique folk customs.

When they arrived in Chengdu, the first thing they felt was the bustle and prosperity of the city. The streets and alleys were bustling with people, shops were lined up, and the air was filled with the aroma of delicious food. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei put down their luggage and couldn't wait to start their exploration journey in Chengdu.

They came to the famous Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, which consists of Kuanxiang, Zhaixiang and Jingxiang arranged in parallel. It is a relatively large-scale ancient street from the Qing Dynasty left in Chengdu. Walking into Kuanzhai Alley, it seems to travel back to ancient Chengdu. The bluestone road is lined with antique buildings, with carved doors and windows and mottled walls, all revealing traces of time. There are various specialty shops in the alley, selling traditional handicrafts, special snacks, tea, silk, etc. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei strolled while admiring these distinctive shops and feeling the leisurely atmosphere of Chengdu.

"Brother Xiao, look at this face-changing mask, it's so exquisite!" Huang Pengfei stopped in front of a handicraft shop, picked up a face-changing mask and said excitedly.

"Yes, Sichuan Opera face-changing is a unique skill of Chengdu. These masks are so beautifully made and very artistic." Li Xiao responded.

They continued to stroll in the alley, and were attracted by the aroma of various delicacies from time to time. After a while, they came to a snack bar, which was full of people and very popular. They ordered several Chengdu specialty snacks, such as Long Chao Shou, Zhong Dumplings, Dandan Noodles, etc. After the snacks were served, they couldn't wait to taste the delicious food.

The skin of Long Chao Shou is as thin as paper, the filling is large and full, and the soup is delicious; the meat filling of Zhong Shui Jiao is tender and juicy, and it is spicy and delicious with the special red oil seasoning; the noodles of Dan Dan Mian are chewy and the marinade is rich and fragrant, which makes people have an endless aftertaste. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei ate with gusto, praising the unique charm of Chengdu cuisine while eating.