Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1615

Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei, three friends who love traveling, finally embarked on their long-awaited trip to Northwest China. Their first stop was the mysterious Dunhuang.

As soon as they got off the plane, the dry and hot air hit them in the face. Li Xiao opened his arms excitedly and shouted, "Dunhuang, we are here!" Zhang Yue smiled and took photos of Li Xiao and Lin Fei, saying, "You two are like wild horses that have broken free from their reins. You are so excited before you even start playing." Lin Fei pushed his glasses and said solemnly, "Dunhuang is a place of cultural treasures with a history of thousands of years. We are about to experience the profound history and brilliant art. How can we not be excited?"

They took a taxi to the hotel they booked. Along the way, Li Xiao looked out the window curiously. In the distance, he saw rolling sand dunes, shining golden in the sunlight. He said to Zhang Yue and Lin Fei, "Look, this is the desert scenery in the northwest. It is completely different from where we usually live." Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Yes, it feels like every inch of land here is telling an ancient story."

After a short rest at the hotel, they couldn't wait to go to the most famous attraction in Dunhuang - Mogao Grottoes. On the way to Mogao Grottoes, Li Xiao began to introduce it to everyone: "Mogao Grottoes is the largest and most content-rich Buddhist art site in the world. The murals and sculptures inside are exquisite. It is said that many of them were completed by ancient artists with great efforts." Lin Fei also added: "Moreover, Mogao Grottoes has been built through many dynasties and integrates the artistic styles of different periods. It is simply a three-dimensional art history."

When they stood in front of the Mogao Grottoes and looked up at the caves, they were filled with awe. Led by the tour guide, they walked into the caves and were instantly shocked by the scene before them. In the dim caves, the colors on the murals were still bright and eye-catching, and the characters were lifelike. Zhang Yue couldn't help but exclaimed softly: "It's amazing. After so many years, these murals can still be preserved so well." Li Xiao said: "This is all thanks to the efforts of cultural relics protectors of all generations, otherwise we wouldn't be able to see such precious art treasures today." Lin Fei looked at the details on the murals intently, muttering to himself: "Look at these lines, this composition, the artistic attainments of the ancients are really amazing."

After visiting the Mogao Grottoes, it was already noon and their stomachs began to growl. So they came to a local specialty restaurant. Li Xiao looked at the menu and said excitedly: "There are many delicious foods in Dunhuang, such as donkey meat yellow noodles and poplar stewed cakes. We must try them all." Zhang Yue smiled and said: "You only know how to eat, but I am also looking forward to these northwestern delicacies." After a while, the dishes were served. Li Xiao took the lead in picking up a chopstick of donkey meat yellow noodles, put it in his mouth and chewed it, and gave a thumbs up: "Well, the noodles are chewy, the donkey meat is tender, the soup is rich, and the taste is great!" Lin Fei also tasted a bite of the poplar stewed cake and said: "This stewed cake absorbs the fragrance of mutton and retains the toughness of the cake. It has a unique flavor."

After eating and drinking, they went to another famous attraction in Dunhuang - Crescent Lake in Mingsha Mountain. When they arrived at the foot of Mingsha Mountain and looked at the towering sand dunes, Li Xiao suggested: "Let's climb up. Crescent Lake must be very beautiful from the sand dunes." Zhang Yue hesitated: "This sand dune looks so high. Will it be tiring to climb up?" Lin Fei encouraged: "Since we are here, how can we not try? We can help each other." So the three of them began to climb the sand dunes with difficulty. Li Xiao shouted while climbing: "Come on, partners, whoever climbs to the top first will be the brave man today!" Zhang Yue responded breathlessly: "Don't shout anymore, save some energy to climb the mountain." With mutual encouragement and pulling, they finally reached the top of the sand dune.

Standing on the top of the sand dune, overlooking the Crescent Lake, which is like a crescent moon, embedded in the yellow sand and surrounded by green trees, the scenery is beautiful. Zhang Yue said excitedly: "This is simply a miracle in the desert. The workmanship of nature is amazing." Li Xiao took a deep breath: "Yes, in this vast desert, the Crescent Lake is like a shining pearl, which makes people's eyes bright." Lin Fei was busy taking pictures, wanting to record this beautiful moment: "I want to take a few more pictures and show them off to my friends when I go back."

While visiting Mingsha Mountain, they also experienced sandboarding. Li Xiao was the first to sit on the skateboard and whizzed down the sand dunes, shouting with excitement. Zhang Yue was a little scared, but with the encouragement of Li Xiao and Lin Fei, she also plucked up the courage to try it once. After the sandboarding, she smiled and said, "Although it's a bit scary, it's really exciting!"

In the evening, they came to the Folk Culture Village in Dunhuang to watch folk performances. In the performance, dancers dressed in gorgeous ethnic costumes and performed the cheerful Dunhuang dance. Li Xiao was fascinated and said to Zhang Yue: "This Dunhuang dance is really beautiful, with light and graceful movements, as if taking us back to ancient Dunhuang." Zhang Yue said: "Yes, this dance contains the culture and history of Dunhuang, which makes people intoxicated." After the performance, they also participated in some folk interactive activities and made Dunhuang's characteristic handicrafts by hand.

When leaving the Folk Culture Village, Li Xiao saw a small shop selling Dunhuang specialties on the roadside, so he took Zhang Yue and Lin Fei in. The shop was filled with various exquisite handicrafts, such as copies of Dunhuang murals, colored sculptures, camel dolls, etc. Li Xiao picked up a copy of a Dunhuang mural and said to Zhang Yue: "This is good. If you buy it and hang it on the wall, it will definitely have an artistic atmosphere." Zhang Yue picked out a few camel dolls: "I think these little camels are very cute. I will take them back to give to relatives and friends." Lin Fei bought a book about Dunhuang culture: "I want to study the culture of Dunhuang carefully. This trip cannot just be a cursory visit."

The one-day trip to Dunhuang ended, and they returned to the hotel with a lot of gains and good memories. Li Xiao lay on the bed and said to Zhang Yue and Lin Fei: "I am so happy today. Dunhuang is indeed a charming place." Zhang Yue nodded in agreement: "Yes, I am already looking forward to tomorrow's trip." Lin Fei also smiled and said: "I wonder what kind of surprises the next city will bring us?" In the vision of the future journey, they gradually fell asleep, and their journey to the northwest continued...

Continue the journey to the northwest: Zhangye Adventure

After spending a wonderful day in Dunhuang, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei set out for Zhangye facing the rising sun.

On the way, Li Xiao looked at the constantly changing scenery outside the window and said excitedly: "Zhangye is known as the 'South of the Yangtze River on the Great Wall'. I heard that the colorful Danxia landform there is unparalleled in the world. I can't wait to see it." Zhang Yue, who was packing his backpack, responded: "Yes, I also saw a lot of beautiful photos of the colorful Danxia on the Internet. The gorgeous colors are like a palette overturned by God." Lin Fei drove the car attentively and said with a smile: "With me as an experienced driver, you can enjoy the scenery with peace of mind and ensure a safe arrival."

After a few hours' drive, they finally arrived at Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Area. As soon as they entered the scenic area, they were amazed by the dreamlike scenery. The rolling mountains seemed to be paved with colorful silk, with red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple and other colors intertwined and gradually changing, shining under the sunlight. Li Xiao ran forward excitedly and shouted: "This is too spectacular! I have never seen such beautiful mountains." Zhang Yue followed closely behind, with the camera in his hand constantly clicking: "I want to record all these beautiful views, each one can be used as wallpaper." Lin Fei stood aside, quietly admiring, and exclaimed: "The creativity of nature is really endless, this is simply a visual feast." They walked slowly along the viewing plank road, and every step they took seemed to be in a beautiful painting. Li Xiao asked curiously, "How do you think these strange colors are formed?" Lin Fei pushed his glasses and began to explain, "This is due to the deposition of different minerals in the strata. After a long period of weathering and erosion, this colorful landform has gradually formed." Zhang Yue listened with great interest, "So that's how it is. There is such profound geological knowledge contained in it."

On a viewing platform, they met a local painter who was sketching. Li Xiao walked up to the painter and started chatting with him: "Do you often come here to paint?" The painter looked up and smiled and said: "Yes, the scenery here always brings me new inspiration, and I can never paint enough." Zhang Yue looked at the painter's paintings and praised: "Your paintings are so good, and the charm of the colorful Danxia is fully displayed." The painter said modestly: "Compared with the uncanny workmanship of nature, my paintings are still far behind."

After playing for a long time, their stomachs began to protest. So they left the scenic area and went to ZY city to find delicious food. In a busy restaurant, they ordered the local specialty beef rice. When the steaming hot beef rice was served, Li Xiao scooped a spoonful and tasted it, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Wow, the beef is tender and juicy, the rice grains are distinct, and the soup is fresh and delicious. It's delicious!" Zhang Yue also tasted it: "Well, this unique taste, coupled with the embellishment of chopped green onions and coriander, has a unique flavor." Lin Fei said while eating: "After enjoying the beautiful scenery, it is really a pleasure to eat such delicious food."

After eating, they came to the Big Buddha Temple in Zhangye. This ancient temple is solemn and majestic, and the Buddha inside the temple is compassionate and peaceful. Li Xiao whispered, "It is said that this Buddha is the largest indoor reclining Buddha in Asia. Standing in front of it, I feel very small." Zhang Yue clasped his hands together and said devoutly, "I hope the Buddha can bless us for a safe and smooth journey on the way." Lin Fei carefully observed the temple's architecture and the carving craftsmanship of the Buddha statues: "The skills of these ancient craftsmen are really superb, and every detail is handled just right."

After leaving the Big Buddha Temple, they strolled along the streets of Zhangye, feeling the unique charm of this city. There are many small vendors on the street selling local specialties, such as luminous cups and Qilian jade. Li Xiao picked up a luminous cup and looked at it carefully in the sun: "This luminous cup has a delicate texture and a warm color. It is indeed a special handicraft of Zhangye." Zhang Yue was more interested in Qilian jade jewelry. She picked a jade bracelet: "This jade bracelet is so beautiful. It must be very elegant to wear it on your hand." Lin Fei watched them choose specialties and bought some local specialty teas: "I can take this tea back to taste it with my family and friends and share our happiness in Zhangye."

As the sky gradually darkened, they returned to the hotel. Li Xiao stretched out on the bed and said, "Today is another fruitful day in Zhangye. The beauty of the colorful Danxia will be unforgettable for me." Zhang Yue nodded in agreement, "And the delicious beef rice and unique specialties have added a lot of color to the trip to Zhangye." Lin Fei smiled and said, "I wonder what kind of surprises will be waiting for us in Xining tomorrow?" In anticipation of the future, they gradually fell asleep to recharge their batteries for the next journey. Continue Northwest Notes: Impressions of Xining
After bidding farewell to Zhangye, Li Xiao and his party headed for Xining without stopping. Outside the car window, the scenery gradually changed from the colorful Danxia in Zhangye to the vast grassland and continuous mountains. The yaks and sheep were like pearls scattered on the green carpet, leisurely and contented.

"Wow, look, there are so many sheep!" Zhang Yue leaned on the car window like a child, pointing outside excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "We have just arrived near Xining, and you are already mesmerized by the grassland scenery? It is said that there are many interesting places around Xining, such as the Ta'er Monastery, which is a holy place of Tibetan Buddhism."

Lin Fei responded while driving: "Yes, the three artistic wonders of Ta'er Temple - butter sculptures, murals and pile embroidery - are well-known. We must go and appreciate them."

After arriving in Xining, they took a short rest and then headed to Ta'er Monastery. As soon as they entered the Ta'er Monastery, the rich religious atmosphere and unique architectural style hit them. Inside the temple, believers held prayer wheels, chanted in their mouths, and their eyes were full of piety.

"Look, the colors and decorations of this building are so exquisite." Li Xiao exclaimed.

Zhang Yue asked curiously: "What is the meaning of these golden roofs and patterns on the walls?"

Lin Fei explained: "Most of these patterns and decorations are related to Buddhist teachings and legends, and each one contains profound cultural connotations. For example, this butter sculpture is made of butter. In the cold winter, the monks have to use their cold hands to pinch such exquisite flowers and figures. It is hard to imagine how difficult it is. This is also a great test of their faith and skills."

They walked into a hall, which displayed exquisite pile embroidery works. Zhang Yue came closer to take a closer look: "This pile embroidery has a strong three-dimensional sense, just like a series of relief paintings."

After leaving the Ta'er Monastery, it was almost noon and they came to a Tibetan restaurant, which was filled with the rich aroma of milk and spices.