Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Li Xiao stood at the exit of Suzhou Railway Station, took a deep breath of the warm air unique to the Jiangnan water town, and was full of expectations for this ancient city. His good friends Zhang Yue and Lin Fei were also excited as they dragged their luggage.

"Wow, we are finally in Suzhou. I heard that the gardens here are the best in the world. I must take a look at them." Zhang Yue said with sparkling eyes.

Lin Fei smiled and continued, "There is also Pingjiang Road, which is ancient and has a lot of delicious food."

Li Xiao nodded, and while calling everyone to go to the bus stop, he said, "Let's go to the hotel to drop off our luggage first, and then go straight to Pingjiang Road to experience the charm of Suzhou."

After arriving at the hotel and taking a short rest, the three of them came to Pingjiang Road. The bluestone road stretched under their feet, and on both sides of the road were white-walled and black-tiled houses in the south of the Yangtze River. The river flowed quietly, and occasionally a small boat passed by leisurely on the river, and the boatman hummed an unknown south-eastern tune.

"This is such a great feeling, just like walking into an ink painting." Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Yue walked into a small shop curiously and looked at the exquisite Suzhou embroidery products. She exclaimed: "Look at these Suzhou embroidery products. They are just like the real ones. Every stitch is so delicate."

Lin Fei joked: "If you like it, just buy it back as a dowry."

Zhang Yue blushed and said angrily, "You just like to make fun of me. Can't I buy it back and enjoy it myself?"

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Okay, okay, let's go check out other places first. Pingjiang Road is still a long way to go."

They strolled along Pingjiang Road and saw a small shop selling sugar porridge. Sweet fragrance wafted out of the shop.

"Let's go and try the Suzhou sugar porridge. It's said to be very famous." Li Xiao said as he took the lead and walked into the store.

The three of them sat at the small table, looking at the steaming, temptingly colored sugar porridge in front of them.

"This porridge looks delicious. The sweet-scented osmanthus sugar on top must be very fragrant." Zhang Yue said as he scooped a spoonful into his mouth. His eyes narrowed instantly. "Mm, it's delicious. Sweet but not greasy. The aroma of rice and sweet-scented osmanthus blend perfectly."

Lin Fei also tasted it and gave a thumbs up: "It's really good. The food in Suzhou is well-deserved."

After leaving the porridge shop, they continued to stroll around and saw a Suzhou Pingtan performance going on in a small square. A woman in a cheongsam was holding a pipa, and an old man was holding a sanxian, singing in the soft Wu dialect.

"This is Suzhou Pingtan. I've only heard it on TV before. Listening to it live feels completely different," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yue listened attentively and said softly, "This voice is so beautiful, it's like telling ancient stories."

Lin Fei took out his phone to take a photo and said, "I'm going to record it so I can savor it slowly when I get home."

After enjoying the Pingtan, they walked into a shop selling Suzhou-style cakes. Various exquisite cakes were placed on the plate, including plum blossom cakes, Dingsheng cakes, etc.

"These pastries are made like works of art. I can't bear to eat them," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yue picked out a few different cakes and said with a smile, "No, that won't do. Food is meant to be tasted. I want to try all of these."

After spending most of the day touring Pingjiang Road, they arrived at the Humble Administrator's Garden. As soon as they entered the Humble Administrator's Garden, the well-arranged pavilions, towers, rockery and pools came into view.

"This Humble Administrator's Garden is truly grand and elegant. Its layout and scenery are worthy of being the best among all gardens." Lin Fei exclaimed.

Li Xiao walked slowly along the corridor and said, "Look at these lattice windows. The scenery outside through them is like a natural picture frame."

Zhang Yue stood on a small bridge, looking at the lotus pond under the bridge. Although it was not the season for lotus to bloom, it was still a unique view. "If we come here in summer, the pond will be full of blooming lotus flowers, which will definitely be beautiful."

They walked around the Humble Administrator's Garden, feeling the charm of ancient garden architecture, resting in pavilions and wandering among rockery, as if they had traveled back to ancient times.

After visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden, it was getting dark and they came to Shantang Street, which was brightly lit at this time, and the red lanterns on both sides of the river were reflected in the water, like a dream.

"Shantang Street is so beautiful at night, like a paradise on earth." Zhang Yue said excitedly.

They found a restaurant by the river and ordered Suzhou's famous dishes such as squirrel mandarin fish and fried eel paste.

"This squirrel mandarin fish has such a beautiful shape and it must taste great too." Li Xiao said while looking at the fish on the plate.

Lin Fei picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. After tasting it carefully, he said, "It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet and sour, and delicious. This dish is amazing."

Zhang Yue praised the fried eel paste highly: "This eel paste is so fragrant and has no fishy smell at all."

After dinner, they strolled along Shantang Street, looking at the stalls selling small specialty items, including handmade folding fans and exquisite walnut carvings.

"These little gadgets are really interesting. They'd be great to take back as souvenirs." Li Xiao said, picking up a folding fan.

Zhang Yue bought a few walnut carvings and said, "I will give these to relatives and friends so that they can also experience the charm of Suzhou."

Lin Fei saw a shop selling silk products and said, "Suzhou's silk is also very famous. Do you want to go in and take a look?"

So the three of them walked into the store and looked at the smooth and soft silk scarves, handkerchiefs, etc.

"This silk feels so comfortable to the touch, it must be of very good quality." Zhang Yue said while gently stroking a scarf.

Li Xiao selected a few handkerchiefs and said, "Buy a few and give them to mom and sister. They will definitely like them."

After strolling around Shantang Street, they returned to the hotel. Although they were a little tired after the day, their hearts were full of fond memories of their trip to Suzhou.

"I'm so happy today. Suzhou is such a great place." Zhang Yue said while lying on the bed.

Li Xiao smiled and said: "This is just the beginning. There are still many cities waiting for us to explore."

Lin Fei also said with anticipation: "I wonder what kind of surprises the next city will bring."

Just like that, they gradually fell asleep in anticipation of their future journey, and the beautiful scenery, delicious food and unique cultural charm of Suzhou were deeply imprinted in their hearts, becoming an unforgettable beginning of their journey.

Continuing the old dream of Jinling, a new chapter for the ancient capital

The morning sun shines on the streets of Suzhou. Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei embark on a journey to Nanjing with their attachment to Suzhou. The train slowly pulls into Nanjing Station, and a heavy historical atmosphere hits you.

"Nanjing is the ancient capital of six dynasties. It must have a very rich historical heritage." Li Xiao said, looking out the car window.

Zhang Yue responded excitedly: "I have long wanted to see the Confucius Temple in Nanjing, and the Qinhuai River, which must be very charming." Lin Fei flipped through the travel guide and said: "The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is also worth visiting. It is said that the architecture there is very spectacular, and you can also feel the great spirit of Mr. Sun Yat-sen."

They first checked in at a hotel near the Confucius Temple, and then walked towards the Confucius Temple impatiently. In front of the Confucius Temple, people were coming and going, and it was very lively. The ancient buildings looked solemn and majestic under the sunshine.

"The architectural style of this Confucius Temple is very unique, with carved beams and painted buildings, and every detail seems to be telling stories from the past." Li Xiao said, looking up.

Zhang Yue walked into a shop selling study items, picked up a brush, and said to Li Xiao and Lin Fei, "Look, this brush is so finely crafted. Isn't it meaningful to buy study items in Nanjing?"

Lin Fei smiled and said, "Do you want to take it back and use it as a tool to help you become a great calligrapher?"

Zhang Yue rolled her eyes at him and said, "I'm just admiring it, but it would be nice to take a set back as a souvenir."

After leaving the shop, they came to the Qinhuai River, where the water flowed slowly and pleasure boats shuttled across the river.

"This is the legendary Qinhuai River. 'Mists shroud the cold water, moonlight shrouds the sands; night mooring at Qinhuai near a tavern.' The ancients were not deceiving me." Li Xiao recited the poem softly.

They boarded a pleasure boat, and as the boat slowly moved forward, the ancient buildings and red lanterns on both sides receded. The tour guide on the boat began to tell the history of the Qinhuai River and the romantic stories that had happened here.

"It turns out there are so many stories here. The literati and poets in ancient times all liked to recite poems and paint on the banks of the Qinhuai River." Zhang Yue listened attentively.

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Lin Fei looked at the scenery on the shore and said, "It would be so pleasant if I could travel back to ancient times, sit in a tavern by the Qinhuai River and listen to some songs."

After getting off the pleasure boat, they walked into the snack street of Confucius Temple, where the aroma of various delicacies filled their noses.

"Look, that's duck blood vermicelli soup, a specialty of Nanjing. You must try it." Li Xiao pulled the two of them towards a snack bar.

Sitting in the store, looking at the steaming duck blood vermicelli soup in front of me, the duck blood is fresh and tender, the vermicelli is smooth, and the duck liver and duck intestines also have a unique flavor.

"This duck blood vermicelli soup is so delicious, I feel like I can drink a whole bowl." Zhang Yue said while eating.

Lin Fei also ate voraciously, mumbling: "This Nanjing food is really irresistible."

After eating snacks, they headed to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, walking up the long steps, surrounded by lush pine and cypress trees.

"This staircase is so long, but the higher you go, the more solemn the atmosphere becomes," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yue panted and said: "Mr. Sun Yat-sen is really great. He has made so many contributions to China and deserves our eternal respect."

When they finally reached the top of the mountain, they stood in front of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and overlooked the entire city of Nanjing.

"The scenery is so beautiful. From here, the whole city of Nanjing is in sight. It gives me a feeling of embracing the world." Lin Fei exclaimed.

After visiting the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, they went to the Nanjing Museum, which houses numerous cultural relics and treasures, from ancient ceramics to calligraphy and painting works, which are dazzling.

"The cultural relics in this museum are so shocking. Each one carries the memory of history." Li Xiao said, looking at a piece of exquisite porcelain.

Zhang Yue stayed in the calligraphy and painting exhibition hall for a long time and said: "It is not easy for these calligraphy and painting works to be preserved until now. The artistic attainments of the ancients were too high."

Lin Fei was interested in the ancient weapons and armor, saying, "Looking at these weapons, I can imagine the scenes of ancient wars."

After leaving the museum, night had already fallen. They arrived at Nanjing's Laomendong, where ancient streets and alleys crisscross and various specialty shops and traditional food stores line the streets.

"This old Mendong is full of life. It feels like walking into the life picture of old Nanjing." Zhang Yue said.

They bought half a salted duck from a salted duck shop and ate it while sitting on a bench on the street.

"The meat of this salted duck is tender and fresh, with just the right amount of saltiness and fragrance. It's so delicious." Li Xiao praised it highly.

Lin Fei looked at the night scene around him and said, "The night in Nanjing is different from that in Suzhou. There is an extra sense of history here."

During their stay in Nanjing, they experienced the history and culture of the ancient capital, tasted the special food, and admired the natural scenery and cultural landscapes. After returning to the hotel, they sat together and shared their feelings about the day.

"Nanjing is really a very charming city, and every corner is full of stories," Zhang Yue said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, this trip to Nanjing has brought us a lot. I wonder what kind of surprises our next stop, Hangzhou, will bring us."

Lin Fei smiled and said, "No matter what, I believe it will be exciting. I can't wait."
Bidding farewell to the rich history of Nanjing, Li Xiao and his party of three took the high-speed rail to Hangzhou. When the train arrived at Hangzhou East Station, the sun was shining on this poetic city.

"Hangzhou, I have always been thinking about West Lake. 'If I want to compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, light makeup or heavy makeup always suits her.' Today I can finally see it with my own eyes." Zhang Yue said excitedly, his eyes full of anticipation.

Lin Fei dragged his luggage and responded with a smile: "There is also Lingyin Temple. It is said that it is a very Zen place. It must be very quiet among the mountains and forests."

Li Xiao looked at the map on his phone and planned a route: "Let's go to the hotel by the West Lake to put down our things, and then take a walk along the lake to feel the charm of this paradise on earth."

After a short rest at the hotel, they came to the West Lake. The water of the West Lake was rippling in the breeze, and the mountains in the distance were looming, like a natural landscape painting.

"Wow, this is the West Lake. It's so beautiful. I feel like my heart is about to be melted by this scenery." Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh.

They walked slowly along the Su Causeway, where willow trees fluttered in the wind. Zhang Yue stopped and looked at the lotus flowers blooming by the lake, saying, "Look at these lotus flowers, set against the green leaves, they look like fairies descending to the earth. No wonder the ancients loved to appreciate lotus flowers."

Lin Fei joked: "You standing here complements the scenery very well, and it has a bit of the charm of a beautiful woman admiring a lotus painting."

Zhang Yue blushed and said angrily, "You are the only one who can talk nonsense. Just enjoy the scenery."

As they walked, they saw a small shop selling West Lake Longjing ice cream.

"What a novel combination, West Lake Longjing flavored ice cream, I must try it." Li Xiao walked into the store curiously and bought three.

After taking a bite, the three of them nodded.

"This ice cream has both the fragrance of tea and the sweetness of ice cream, and the taste is very unique." Zhang Yue said. (End of this chapter)