Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei were standing at the entrance of Fenghuang Ancient Town, carrying large bags, their eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

"Hey, Lao Li, this Fenghuang Ancient Town is really charming!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while stretching his arms.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "That's right, I've heard that Fenghuang Ancient Town is incredibly beautiful, and this time I finally get to see it with my own eyes."

The two slowly walked into the ancient city. The bluestone-paved streets were winding and twisting, as if telling an ancient story. There were antique wooden buildings on the street, some of which were inns and some were small shops, each with its own characteristics.

"Let's go and take a look at the famous Tuojiang River first." Li Xiao suggested.

Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement: "Sure, I heard that the scenery of Tuojiang River is amazing."

Soon, they arrived at the Tuojiang River. The river water was clear and flowing slowly. There were ancient stone bridges across the river, and tourists were coming and going on the bridges, some taking pictures and some enjoying the scenery.

"Wow, this is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the beautiful scenery. He said, "Look, those stilt houses are reflected in the river. It's really picturesque."

They strolled along the river, feeling the breeze and the cool breeze. A small boat passed slowly in the river, and the boatman sang local folk songs while rowing.

"Hey, boatman, this song is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei shouted loudly.

The boatman smiled and responded: "This is our Fenghuang folk song. You are welcome to come to Fenghuang to play."

As they walked, they saw a group of girls wearing Miao costumes taking photos by the river. Huang Pengfei's eyes lit up and he leaned over and said, "Girls, these clothes are so beautiful. Are they traditional Miao costumes?"

The girls smiled and nodded. One of them said, "Yes, the clothes of our Miao people are very beautiful. Are you here for tourism?"

Li Xiao replied: "Yes, we came to Fenghuang Ancient Town specifically for sightseeing. It is really beautiful here."

After chatting with the girls for a while, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei continued their journey. They came to a stone bridge, from which they could overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Tuojiang River.

"Pengfei, look, there is a tower on the mountain over there." Li Xiao said, pointing to the distance.

Huang Pengfei looked in the direction of his finger: "Well, it's really nice. This Fenghuang Ancient Town is full of scenery."

After walking around for a while, both of their stomachs started to growl.

"Let's go and find some local food." Li Xiao said.

They wandered around the ancient city and found a local restaurant, which was full of tourists and very lively.

"Boss, can you recommend any special dishes?" Huang Pengfei shouted.

The boss introduced enthusiastically: "Our blood duck and Miao fish in sour soup are very good, and the Fenghuang bacon is also very special."

"Okay, then give me one each." Li Xiao said.

Soon, all the dishes were served. The duck with blood cakes was delicious, the duck meat was tender and juicy, and the blood cakes were soft and glutinous. The Miao fish in sour soup was sour and spicy, and the fish was delicious. The Phoenix bacon was fat but not greasy, and had a strong aroma.

"Wow, it's so delicious!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "It really lives up to its reputation. The taste is absolutely amazing."

After dinner, they heard that there would be a folk performance in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. As night fell, the lights in the ancient city lit up one by one, and the entire ancient city became more beautiful and moving.

They came to the performance venue, where many tourists had gathered. The performance began, and the Miao girls, wearing gorgeous costumes, danced happily. Their dancing was graceful and light, which made people intoxicated. Then, the Miao boys performed stunts such as walking on a mountain of knives and diving into a sea of ​​fire, which attracted cheers from the audience.

"This performance is really wonderful!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also fascinated: "Yes, I didn't expect to see such a wonderful folk performance."

After the performance, they visited the shops in the ancient city and bought some local specialties, including Miao silver jewelry, handmade embroidery, special snacks and so on.

"Old Li, this trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town is really worth it." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, the scenery, food, and folk performances here are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

The two left the ancient town of Fenghuang with their bags full of memories, looking forward to the next exciting attraction.

After leaving Fenghuang Ancient Town, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei rushed non-stop to Guilin, which is known as "the most beautiful landscape in the world".

As soon as he got off the train, Li Xiao took a deep breath and said with emotion: "Pengfei, it is said that Guilin's landscape is the best in the world, and it is well-deserved. The air here feels particularly fresh."

Huang Pengfei also looked around excitedly: "Yes, Lao Li, let's find a place to put down our luggage and then enjoy the beautiful scenery of Guilin."

The two found an inn near the Li River and stayed there. After a short rest, they could not wait to rush to the Li River. Standing by the Li River, the scenery in front of them made them hold their breath instantly. The emerald green river water was like a ribbon, winding between the mountains. The peaks in the distance were of different shapes, some like camels, some like elephants, some like old men, and some like fairies. They were looming under the cover of clouds and mist, like a huge landscape painting.

"Wow, this is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei couldn't help but exclaim loudly.

Li Xiao was also intoxicated: "It's really beautiful. The Guilin landscape is indeed well-deserved."

They rented a small boat and sailed slowly on the Li River. The boatman introduced the scenery along the way to them while rowing.

"My two bosses, do you see that mountain over there? Does it look like a camel? This is the famous Camel Hump. And over there, does that mountain look like an old man sleeping? That is Old Man Mountain," the boatman introduced enthusiastically.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei looked in the direction the boatman pointed and nodded repeatedly.

"Boatman, why is the water of the Li River so green?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

The boatman smiled and replied: "The water of the Li River flows down from the mountains. It is not polluted, so it is very clear. In addition, the surrounding green mountains are reflected in the water, making it look even greener."

The boat moved slowly on the river, and the breeze brought coolness. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei quietly appreciated the beautiful scenery, feeling particularly relaxed.

"Old Li, how beautiful would the Guilin landscape be if it were painted?" Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "It must be beautiful. However, the beauty of nature cannot be described in pictures. Only by experiencing it in person can you appreciate its charm." After touring the Li River, the two were hungry. They decided to try Guilin's special food. On the recommendation of the locals, they came to a rice noodle shop.

"Boss, give me two bowls of Guilin rice noodles." Huang Pengfei shouted.

Soon, two bowls of steaming rice noodles were served. The rice noodles were white and delicate, and paired with special brine, braised meat, sour bamboo shoots, chopped green onions and other seasonings, the aroma was fragrant.

"Wow, this rice noodle looks delicious." Huang Pengfei couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks and taste it. "Well, it tastes really good. The flavor of the brine is very rich, and the rice noodles are also very chewy."

Li Xiao also tasted it and nodded in praise: "It is indeed delicious. This Guilin rice noodle is indeed worthy of its reputation."

After eating rice noodles, they heard that there would be a large-scale landscape performance "Impression of Liu Sanjie" in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. The performance venue was on the bank of the Li River, with the landscape as the background, and the scene was very spectacular. The actors were dressed in ethnic costumes, and performed the story of Liu Sanjie with the cooperation of lights and music.

"This performance is so shocking!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also moved by the wonderful performance: "Yes, I didn't expect to see such a wonderful performance. This real-life landscape performance is really unique."

After the performance, they went to the night market in Guilin and bought some local specialties, including Guilin Sanhua wine, osmanthus cake, and monk fruit.

"Lao Li, this trip to Guilin was really great." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, the landscape, food and performances in Guilin are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

After bidding farewell to the beautiful landscape of Guilin, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set off on a journey to Hangzhou. They were both filled with anticipation at the thought of experiencing the famous West Lake.

After a lot of twists and turns, they finally arrived in Hangzhou. As soon as they walked out of the station, the fresh air hit them in the face, making them feel relaxed and happy.

"Old Li, Hangzhou feels very different here. It has a special charm." Huang Pengfei said while stretching his body.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, they say there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Hangzhou must have its unique charm. Let's go to West Lake first."

The two took the bus and soon arrived at the West Lake. Standing by the lake, the scenery in front of them instantly intoxicated them. The lake was sparkling, like a huge mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, green mountains and trees. The Leifeng Pagoda in the distance was shining in the sunlight, as if telling an ancient story.

"Wow, the West Lake is so beautiful! It looks like a painting." Huang Pengfei couldn't help but exclaimed.

Li Xiao was also shocked by the beautiful scenery: "Indeed, the scenery of West Lake is really incomparable. Look at the cruise ships in the lake and the weeping willows by the lake. It makes people feel as if they are in a fairyland."

They strolled along the lake, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Tourists came and went by the lake, some were taking photos, some were strolling leisurely, and some were sitting on the benches by the lake, quietly enjoying the lake and mountains.

"Hey, Lao Li, what are those people doing over there?" Huang Pengfei suddenly said, pointing not far away.

Li Xiao looked in the direction of his finger and saw a group of people gathered together, seemingly watching some kind of performance. They walked over curiously and found that it was an old man performing calligraphy. The old man's calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, and the surrounding tourists applauded and praised him.

"This handwriting is really beautiful!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "Yes, there are so many talented people around West Lake."

After walking around for a while, their stomachs started to growl.

"Let's go and try the delicious food in Hangzhou," said Li Xiao.

They found a restaurant by the West Lake and ordered some Hangzhou specialties, such as West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, and beggar's chicken.

"Wow, this West Lake Vinegar Fish is so delicious!" Huang Pengfei praised it highly after taking a bite.

Li Xiao also picked up a piece of Longjing shrimp and put it in his mouth, savoring it carefully: "Well, this Longjing shrimp has both the deliciousness of shrimp and the fragrance of Longjing tea. The taste is indeed unique."

After dinner, they heard that there would be a musical fountain show in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. As night fell, the lights along the West Lake lit up one by one, and the entire West Lake became more beautiful. The musical fountain show began. With the rhythm of the music, the fountain sometimes went high, sometimes low, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, changing into various shapes, which was dazzling.

"This musical fountain is so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the wonderful performance: "Yes, I didn't expect to see such a wonderful musical fountain performance. The West Lake is so beautiful at night."

After the performance, they visited the shops by the West Lake and bought some local specialties, such as West Lake Longjing tea, silk, fans, etc.

"Lao Li, this trip to Hangzhou was really great." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, the West Lake, food and performances in Hangzhou are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

Starting from Hangzhou, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei traveled westwards to the charming Chengdu. As soon as they got off the plane, they could feel the unique atmosphere of this city.

"Old Li, everyone says Chengdu is a city you don't want to leave once you arrive. I'm looking forward to it now." Huang Pengfei said excitedly while dragging his suitcase.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Haha, then let's just experience it. Let's go to the hotel and put down our luggage first."

After putting away their luggage, the two could not wait to rush to Jinli Ancient Street, one of the most representative attractions in Chengdu. As soon as they entered Jinli, the ancient buildings and the bustling crowd immediately came into view. There were all kinds of small shops on both sides of the street, some selling special snacks, some selling handicrafts, and there were also traditional teahouses.

"Wow, it's so lively here!" Huang Pengfei looked around until his eyes were not enough.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, the atmosphere in Jinli is very unique. Let's go and try the snacks in Chengdu."

They came to a snack stand and ordered a bowl of Long Chao Shou, a bowl of Zhong Shui Jiao and a bowl of Dan Dan Noodles. The snacks were served with a fragrant aroma.

"This long wonton looks very tempting." Huang Pengfei picked up a wonton and put it in his mouth. "Hmm, it tastes really good, fresh and delicious."

Li Xiao also tasted the Zhong dumplings: "The taste of these dumplings is very special, with a moderate sweet and spicy taste. And the Dandan noodles, the noodles are chewy and the sauce is fragrant."

After eating snacks, they continued to stroll around Jinli. Passing by a teahouse, they heard bursts of laughter and conversation.

"Let's go in and have a cup of tea and experience Chengdu's teahouse culture," Li Xiao suggested.

The two walked into the teahouse and found a seat to sit down. The waiter quickly brought two cups of tea in covered bowls. While drinking tea, they enjoyed the performances in the teahouse, including Sichuan Opera face-changing and fire-breathing. (End of this chapter)