Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1618

"Look at these buildings, they are simply the crystallization of art, and every detail reveals a strong ethnic style." Li Xiao admired as he walked, and the camera in his hand kept recording the beautiful scenery in front of him.

Zhang Yue was attracted by a spice shop, which was filled with the unique aroma of various spices. She curiously asked the owner: "How are these spices used?" The owner enthusiastically introduced the uses of various spices, from cooking to incense, and each spice has unique effects and cultural connotations.

Lin Fei showed great interest in the traditional musical instrument store on the street. He picked up a dutar and plucked the strings gently. The clear and pleasant sound echoed in the alley. "This instrument is really unique. The sound is very ethereal and intoxicating."

After walking in the ancient city for a long time, their stomachs began to growl. So they walked into a local restaurant to taste the specialties of Kashgar. Dishes such as grilled lamb skewers, big plate chicken, and naan pit meat were served one by one, and the aroma filled the air.

"This mutton skewer is so delicious, the meat is tender and juicy, and there is no smell of mutton. It is better than any I have eaten before." Li Xiao took a bite of the mutton skewer and praised it highly.

Zhang Yue looked at the bright colors in the big plate of chicken and felt his appetite increase. "The chicken in this big plate of chicken is very tasty, the potatoes are soft and glutinous, and the wide noodles have absorbed the broth from the chicken and potatoes. Every bite is super satisfying."

Lin Fei has a special liking for naan pit meat: "This naan pit meat is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The unique aroma baked in the naan pit is unforgettable."

In the afternoon, they came to Id Kah Mosque. This magnificent mosque is the landmark of Kashgar and the largest mosque in Xinjiang. In the square inside the mosque, many Muslim believers were praying devoutly.

"Standing here, I can feel a solemn atmosphere. The power of religious belief is really strong." Li Xiao said softly, fearing to disturb the believers who were worshipping.

Zhang Yue nodded in agreement: "Different religious beliefs deserve our respect. They are an important part of human cultural diversity."

Lin Fei quietly admired the architectural style of the mosque. The tall dome, exquisite arches and minaret all demonstrated the charm of Islamic architectural art.

After leaving the Id Kah Mosque, they headed to the Grand Bazaar in Kashgar. The Grand Bazaar was crowded and bustling with all kinds of goods, including exquisite Uyghur flower hats, hand-woven carpets, gorgeous silk, and various special snacks and fruits.

Li Xiao picked up a flower hat and put it on his head, admiring himself in the mirror: "This flower hat is really beautiful, the workmanship is very fine, I want to buy one to take back as a souvenir."

Zhang Yue was attracted by the colorful silks: "These silks are soft in texture and have exquisite patterns. They are indeed the specialties of Kashgar."

Lin Fei picked some local specialty fruits: "The fruits in Kashgar are sweet and fresh. I'll bring them back for everyone to taste."

In the evening, the streets of Kashgar are filled with the aroma of naan and the laughter of children. They sit in teahouses on the street, tasting local specialties, watching people coming and going, and feeling the slow pace of life in Kashgar.

"Kashgar is such a charming place. The people here are hospitable, the culture is profound, and every corner is full of stories," Li Xiao said with emotion.

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Yes, this trip to Kashgar has given me a deeper understanding of Xinjiang's culture and made me feel the harmonious coexistence of different ethnic groups."

Lin Fei looked at the sunset in the sky and said, "I wonder what new beauty we will discover in Kashgar tomorrow?" Continue reading Northwest Spiritual Charm: Appointment in Kanas
Bidding farewell to the exotic streets and melodious chanting in the mosques of Kashgar, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei took a plane across the vast land and arrived at Kanas in northern Xinjiang. When they set foot on this land, the fresh and cold air instantly rushed into their lungs, as if they had done a clear baptism for their souls.

"Wow, the air here is so fresh, just like it has been filtered by nature." Zhang Yue couldn't help but take a deep breath, his face full of intoxication.

Li Xiao looked around and was deeply shocked by the scenery in front of him: "Look, the snow-capped mountains in the distance are towering, contrasting with the blue sky, and there are large tracts of forest. It is simply a paradise on earth."

Lin Fei pointed to the map excitedly and said, "The Kanas Lake where we are now is the core scenic spot in this area. It is said that the color of the lake changes with the seasons and weather. It is very mysterious."

They took the scenic area's sightseeing bus and drove along the winding mountain road. On both sides of the road were dense Siberian larch and fir trees. The sunlight shone through the gaps between the branches and leaves, forming golden rays of light, like a dreamlike scene.

"The scenery is so beautiful, I feel like I have walked into an oil painting." Li Xiao's eyes were wide open and he kept pressing the shutter of the camera in his hand.

Zhang Yue was also moved by the beautiful scenery and said softly: "These trees are tall and straight. They have grown on this land for many years and witnessed the changes of many years."

Soon, Kanas Lake came into view. Under the sunlight, the lake water showed a deep and mysterious blue color, like a huge gem inlaid in the mountains. The lake surface was sparkling, and the breeze blew, creating layers of ripples.

"This is Kanas Lake. It really lives up to its reputation." Lin Fei stood by the lake, overwhelmed by the beauty of the water.

Li Xiao asked curiously, "Do you think there really is a lake monster in this lake?"

Zhang Yue smiled and replied: "Maybe it's people's beautiful fantasy about this mysterious lake, but whether there is a lake monster or not, the lake itself is full of endless charm."

They strolled along the wooden plank road by the lake, admiring the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains. The fish-watching platform in the distance was particularly eye-catching under the sunlight. Li Xiao suggested: "Let's go to the fish-watching platform to have a look. From there we should be able to overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Kanas Lake."

So, they began to climb the Fish-Watching Platform. The mountain road was rugged, but the scenery along the way made them forget their fatigue. When they finally reached the Fish-Watching Platform, the scenery in front of them amazed them speechless. The entire Kanas Lake was in full view, and the color of the lake changed at different angles and light, sometimes blue, sometimes green, sometimes deep, sometimes shallow. The surrounding peaks were rolling, and the snow on the top of the mountain shone silver under the reflection of the sun.

"This is simply God's perspective, so beautiful!" Zhang Yue shouted excitedly.

Li Xiao was also filled with emotion: "How insignificant we humans are in front of nature. I will never forget the beauty of Kanas Lake." Lin Fei was busy using his camera to record the magnificent scenery: "After I go back, I must organize these photos so that more people can see the beauty of Kanas."

After coming down from the fish viewing platform, it was almost noon. They tasted the local specialty food - grilled cold-water fish in the restaurant in the scenic area. The fish meat was tender and delicious, exuding a faint charcoal aroma.

"This grilled cold-water fish tastes great, the meat is firm, and there is no fishy smell at all." Li Xiao praised while eating.

Zhang Yue also praised the local milk tea: "This milk tea is rich and mellow. After drinking it, my whole body is warmed up."

In the afternoon, they came to the three bays of Kanas - Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay and Wolong Bay. Under the sunshine, Shenxian Bay was covered with mist, like a fairyland.

"This Shenxian Bay really looks like the place where fairies live. It's so beautiful that I don't want to leave." Zhang Yue stood by the bay, his eyes full of fascination.

Li Xiao looked at the unique crescent shape of Moon Bay and said, "Look, the shape of Moon Bay is like a crescent moon falling on the ground. The wonders of nature are truly amazing."

Lin Fei was fascinated by the scenery of Wolong Bay: "The beach in the middle of Wolong Bay is shaped like a giant lying dragon, as if it will take off at any time."

They shuttled between the three bays, enjoying the different beautiful scenery and feeling the unique charm of Kanas. Every time they arrived at a place, they couldn't help but stop to take pictures, wanting to freeze these beautiful scenes in their cameras.

In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the land of Kanas, covering the entire scenic area with a golden coat. They sat on the grass by the lake, quietly watching the sunset gradually fall, their hearts filled with nostalgia for this land.

"I had a wonderful day in Kanas today. Every scenery here made my heart beat." Li Xiao said softly.

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Zhang Yue nodded in agreement: "Yes, Kanas is like a mysterious treasure. Every exploration will bring new discoveries."

Lin Fei looked at the gradually darkening sky and said, "I wonder what kind of surprises we will encounter in Kanas tomorrow?" Continue reading Pure Land of the Western Regions: Hemu Time
Leaving the dreamlike scenery of Kanas Lake, Li Xiao and his party headed for Hemu with full of expectations and longings. Along the way, the scenery outside the window was picturesque. The continuous mountains were like the guardians of the earth, covered with white snow, majestic and solemn; the vast grasslands swayed gently in the breeze, like a green ocean with waves; and the blue sky like a gem was pure without a trace of impurities, like a huge piece of blue silk, gently wrapping the whole world.

"The scenery along the way is simply amazing. I feel like my eyes are almost not enough!" Zhang Yue excitedly leaned on the car window, his eyes sparkling, and the camera in his hand kept recording the beautiful scenery along the way.

Li Xiao took a deep breath of fresh air, his face filled with an intoxicated expression: "Yes, the scenery of Northern Xinjiang is really well-deserved. Every place is like a masterpiece carefully painted by nature. Hemu, that place is called 'God's private reserve', it must be even more beautiful."

Lin Fei drove the car attentively, and the corners of his mouth could not help but rise: "Well, according to the navigation, we will arrive soon. I can't wait to see how beautiful the legendary Hemu is."

When the village of Hemu gradually appeared in front of us, everyone was so amazed by the scene that they were speechless. The wooden houses were scattered in the valley, and the roofs were covered with a thick layer of snow, shining with golden light under the sunlight. Around the wooden houses were tall and straight birch forests. On the white trunks, black eyes seemed to be quietly watching the world. In the distance, the curling smoke rose slowly, adding a touch of fireworks to this quiet village.

"This is not the human world at all, it's clearly a scene from a fairy tale world!" Li Xiao was the first to break the silence, his voice full of amazement.

Zhang Yue couldn't wait to jump out of the car and rushed into the village: "I want to feel this fairy-tale atmosphere. This place is perfect for taking pictures!"

They strolled along the path in Hemu, and the snow under their feet made a "crunching" sound, as if it was the beautiful music played by nature. When they passed by a small wooden house, a warm-hearted Kazakh old man invited them to come in and taste homemade milk tea and naan.

"This milk tea smells so good, and has a rich and mellow taste. It's different from any I've had before." Li Xiao picked up a bowl of milk tea, took a sip, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Zhang Yue picked up a piece of naan and took a bite: "This naan is also very special, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the more you chew it, the more delicious it becomes."

Lin Fei chatted happily with the old man and learned about Hemu’s traditional lifestyle and folk culture. He felt more respect for this land.

After a short rest, they went to the Hemu Observation Deck. They climbed up the winding mountain road slowly, and although they were a little out of breath, when they stood on the observation deck and looked down at the entire Hemu village, they felt that all the hard work was worth it. The scenery in front of them was like a huge ink painting, with cabins, birch forests, snow-capped mountains, and rivers perfectly integrated together, forming a quiet and peaceful picture.

"This is simply a paradise on earth! I really want to stay here for a few more days, away from the hustle and bustle of the city." Zhang Yue closed his eyes, feeling the breeze on his face, his heart filled with attachment to this pure land.

Li Xiao was also infected by the peaceful atmosphere: "Yes, here, time seems to slow down, allowing people to calm down and feel the beauty of nature."

Lin Fei looked at the snow-capped mountains in the distance and said thoughtfully: "This land has nurtured such a unique culture and beautiful scenery. We really should protect it so that more people can appreciate its charm."

After coming down from the observation deck, it was getting dark. They came to a small restaurant and ordered a local specialty - earthen hot pot. The hot pot was rich in ingredients, including beef, mutton, various vegetables and mushrooms. The steaming hot pot exuded an attractive aroma in the cold night.

"This earthen hotpot is so warm and tastes great. The flavors of various ingredients blend together to form a unique flavor." Li Xiao said while eating.

Zhang Yue responded with a smile: "Yes, in this cold Hemu, eating a hot pot is really the best choice."

After dinner, they took a walk in the village. Hemu at night was quiet and mysterious. The starry sky was bright, and the Milky Way stretched across the sky, like a huge band of light, decorating the entire sky with incomparable splendor.

"Wow, look, the starry sky is so beautiful! I have never seen so many stars." Zhang Yue looked up, his eyes full of surprise and emotion.