Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1595

After bidding farewell to the picturesque Suzhou, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei headed south to the beautiful coastal city of Beihai.

As soon as they got off the plane, the salty sea breeze blew in their faces, making them feel the breath of the sea instantly.

"Old Li, the North Sea looks very nice." Huang Pengfei said, looking at the sea in the distance.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, Beihai has beautiful beaches and unique customs. Let's go to the hotel to put down the luggage, and then go to the beach for a walk."

They found a hotel by the sea and stayed there. After a short rest, they couldn't wait to go to Silver Beach. The sand on Silver Beach was white and fine, sparkling under the sun. The sea water was clear and the waves gently hit the beach.

"Wow, this Silver Beach is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei ran excitedly on the beach.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the beautiful beach: "Yes, Silver Beach is indeed the best beach in the world. Let's go swim in the sea."

They put on their swimsuits and jumped into the sea. The water was cool and comfortable, making them feel particularly comfortable. They swam in the sea for a while and then lay on the beach to bask in the sun.

"Old Li, this feels so comfortable." Huang Pengfei said with his eyes closed.

Li Xiao also enjoyed this leisurely time: "Well, it's nice to relax at the beach."

After coming out of Yintan, they went to the old street. The old street preserves many ancient buildings and is full of historical charm. There are all kinds of shops on both sides of the street, some selling special snacks, some selling handicrafts, and some ancient teahouses.

"Old Li, look at these buildings. They are so unique." Huang Pengfei said, pointing at the ancient arcades.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Well, Beihai Old Street has witnessed the historical changes of this city. Let's go and try the snacks here."

They found a snack bar on the old street and ordered a shrimp cake, a pig's trotter rice noodle and a fried snail. The shrimp cake was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a fragrant aroma; the pig's trotter rice noodle was delicious, and the pig's trotter was fat but not greasy; the fried snail was spicy and delicious, very satisfying.

"The snacks in Beihai are really good!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "Well, each one is very distinctive."

After eating snacks, they strolled along the old street, admiring the ancient buildings and handicrafts. In a handicraft shop, they bought some shell crafts and pearl ornaments.

"Lao Li, this trip to Beihai is really great." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, Beihai's beaches, old streets, and delicious food are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

After leaving the warm Beihai, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei headed north and came to Harbin, known as the "Ice City".

As soon as they got off the plane, a cold breath hit them in the face, which was in stark contrast to the warm climate they had experienced before.

"Old Li, it's really cold in Harbin!" Huang Pengfei said as he tightened his clothes.

Li Xiao responded with a smile: "Haha, this is the characteristic of Harbin. Let's go to the hotel to put down the luggage and warm up."

They found a hotel near Central Street and stayed there. After a short rest, they could not wait to go to Central Street. This century-old commercial street is full of European style, with various exquisite buildings on both sides of the street.

"Wow, this Central Avenue is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei looked around, his eyes full of surprise.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the beautiful scenery here: "Yes, these buildings have different styles and are very unique. Let's go and try Harbin's special food."

They came to a Russian restaurant and ordered a red sausage, a large black bread and a pot-braised beef. The red sausage had a strong flavor and firm meat; the large black bread had a mellow taste and a strong wheat aroma; the pot-braised beef was delicious in color, aroma and taste.

"The food in Harbin is very unique!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Well, Harbin is greatly influenced by Russian culture, and these delicacies have a strong Russian flavor."

After dinner, they strolled along the central street and enjoyed the performances of street artists, including violinists, singers, and magicians.

"Old Li, it's so lively here." Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, Central Street has always been full of vitality."

Then they came to the Hagia Sophia, a magnificent Orthodox church with a solemn and majestic appearance and a breathtakingly beautiful architecture.

"This church is so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei said as he looked up at the church.

Li Xiao was also shocked by the beauty of the church: "Yes, Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of Harbin's landmark buildings. It has witnessed the historical changes of this city."

After visiting Saint Sophia Cathedral, they heard that there was an ice lantern show in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. Harbin at night is particularly beautiful, and the ice lantern show makes people feel like they are in a fairy tale world. Various exquisitely shaped ice sculptures are colorful under the light.

"This ice lantern show is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also moved by the beautiful scenery: "Yes, Harbin's ice lantern exhibition is indeed well-deserved."

After watching the ice lantern show, they went to visit Harbin's night market and bought some local specialties such as red sausage and black fungus.

"Lao Li, this trip to Harbin is really great." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, Harbin's European-style architecture, food and ice lanterns are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

After leaving the ice and snow kingdom of Harbin, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei embarked on a new journey. This time they came to Kunming, where the four seasons are like spring.

As soon as they got off the plane, the warm and pleasant climate made them feel particularly comfortable.

"Old Li, the weather in Kunming is so comfortable." Huang Pengfei said as he stretched.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, Kunming is indeed the City of Spring. Let's go to the hotel to put down our luggage, and then go to visit Kunming's attractions."

They found a hotel near Green Lake and stayed there. After a short rest, they came to Green Lake. The water of Green Lake was clear, surrounded by green trees, and there were many cute birds playing by the lake.

"Wow, this Cui Lake is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the peaceful scenery: "Well, Green Lake is a pearl of Kunming. Let's go and take a walk on the path beside the lake."

They strolled along the lake, enjoying the beautiful scenery. There were many old people singing, dancing, and playing chess by the lake, full of the breath of life.

"Old Li, look how leisurely these old people are." Huang Pengfei said enviously.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "This is the pace of life in Kunming, leisurely and comfortable." After leaving Cuihu Lake, they went to Dianchi Lake. Dianchi Lake is the mother lake of Kunming, with a wide lake surface and sparkling water.

"This Dianchi Lake is so big!" Huang Pengfei said, looking at the endless lake.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, Dianchi Lake is the largest lake in Yunnan. Let's go take a boat ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dianchi Lake."

They boarded a cruise ship and sailed slowly on the Dianchi Lake. The West Mountain in the distance was looming in the clouds and mist, like a beautiful landscape painting.

"Old Li, the scenery is so beautiful." Huang Pengfei said intoxicatedly.

Li Xiao was also moved by the beautiful scenery: "Well, the scenery of Dianchi Lake is indeed beautiful."

After touring Dianchi Lake, the two were hungry. They decided to try Kunming's specialties. In a restaurant, they ordered a bowl of cross-bridge rice noodles, a bowl of steamed pork with rice flour, and a bowl of tofu rice noodles. The soup of the cross-bridge rice noodles was delicious and rich in ingredients; the steamed pork with rice flour was fat but not greasy and melted in the mouth; the tofu rice noodles had a smooth texture and tasted sour and spicy.

"The food in Kunming is really good!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "Well, each one is very distinctive."

After dinner, they heard that there would be a folk song and dance performance in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. The performance was held in a theater, and the actors wore traditional costumes of various ethnic groups and performed wonderful songs and dances.

"This performance is amazing!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the cultural charm of various ethnic groups: "Yes, Kunming is a city where many ethnic groups live together, and these ethnic songs and dances fully demonstrate the characteristics of each ethnic group."

After the performance, they went to visit Kunming's night market and bought some local specialties, such as flower cakes and Pu'er tea.

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

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, Kunming's beautiful scenery, delicious food and culture are all unforgettable. Now it's time for us to go to the next place."

Bidding farewell to Kunming, where the four seasons are like spring, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei embarked on a journey to the mysterious place LS.

As their plane gradually approached LS, they looked down at the vast land from high in the sky and felt an indescribable excitement in their hearts.

As soon as they got off the plane, the thin air and strong sunlight made them instantly feel the uniqueness of LS.

"Old Li, the feeling of this LS is different from any place we've been to." Huang Pengfei said as he adjusted his breathing.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, LS is a sacred and mysterious place. Let's go to the hotel to rest and adapt to the altitude here."

They found a hotel with Tibetan characteristics near Barkhor Street and stayed there. After a short rest, they could not wait to come to Barkhor Street. Barkhor Street is one of the most representative streets in LS, with ancient Tibetan buildings on both sides of the street and shops full of various special products.

"Wow, this Barkhor Street is so charming!" Huang Pengfei looked at everything around him excitedly.

Li Xiao was also infected by the atmosphere here: "Well, this place is full of strong Tibetan cultural atmosphere. Let's go and see those exquisite handicrafts."

In a handicraft shop, they admired various Tibetan ornaments, thangkas and wood carvings, each of which embodied the wisdom and creativity of the Tibetan people.

"Old Li, these thangkas are so beautifully painted." Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, thangka is a treasure of Tibetan culture, with bright colors and exquisite patterns."

After walking around Barkhor Street, they came to the Jokhang Temple. In front of the Jokhang Temple, believers kowtowed with piety on their faces.

"Old Li, their faith is really firm." Huang Pengfei said with emotion as he looked at those believers.

Li Xiao was also shocked by this scene: "Yes, the power of faith is infinite. Jokhang Temple is a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism with a long history and profound cultural heritage."

They walked into the Jokhang Temple and admired the ancient Buddha statues and murals. The temple was filled with the smell of incense, which seemed to cleanse people's souls.

After leaving the Jokhang Temple, they went to the Potala Palace, which is majestic and magnificent, standing on the top of the Red Hill.

"Wow, this Potala Palace is so stunning!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he looked up at the Potala Palace.

Li Xiao was also impressed by the palace's grandeur: "Yes, the Potala Palace is the highest palace in the world. It has witnessed the historical changes of XZ."

They walked up the steps slowly, feeling the majesty and sacredness of the palace. From the viewing platform of the Potala Palace, one can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire LS city.

"Old Li, the scenery here is so beautiful." Huang Pengfei said, looking at the mountains and city in the distance.

Li Xiao was also intoxicated by the beautiful scenery: "Well, the scenery of LS is really unique."

After a day of shopping, the two were hungry. They decided to try the special food of LS. In a Tibetan restaurant, they ordered a portion of yak beef, a portion of butter tea, and a portion of Tibetan steamed buns. The yak beef was tender and had a rich flavor; the butter tea was fragrant and had a mellow taste; the Tibetan steamed buns were thin in skin and large in filling, and very delicious.

"The food in LS is really good!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "Well, each one is very distinctive."

After dinner, they heard that there was a Tibetan opera performance in the evening, so they decided to go and see it. The performance was held in an open-air theater, and the actors were dressed in gorgeous Tibetan costumes and performed wonderful Tibetan opera programs.

"This Tibetan opera is so good!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also attracted by the unique charm of Tibetan opera: "Yes, Tibetan opera is an important part of Tibetan culture, with a long history and rich connotations."

After the performance, they went to the night market in LS and bought some local specialties, such as Tibetan carpets and Tibetan incense.

"Lao Li, this LS trip is really great." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, the sacredness, mystery and beauty of LS are all unforgettable. Now we should go to the next place."

After leaving the mysterious LS, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei headed eastward and arrived at Dunhuang, a city full of historical charm.

As soon as they got off the train, the dry air and vast desert scenery made them feel the unique charm of Dunhuang.

"Old Li, Dunhuang feels so historical." Huang Pengfei said, looking at the desert in the distance.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, Dunhuang is an important node on the ancient Silk Road, with rich historical and cultural heritage. Let's go to the hotel to put down the luggage first, and then go to the Mogao Grottoes."

They found a hotel in downtown Dunhuang to stay in.