Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

"Come and try the highland barley cakes and yak beef hotpot, they are Xining's specialties," Li Xiao recommended.

When the steaming hot yak beef hotpot was served, Zhang Yue picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth: "Wow, this beef is so chewy and has no smell at all. It goes really well with the spicy soup base."

Lin Fei also praised the highland barley cake: "This highland barley cake has a light wheat aroma and a crispy texture, which is very unique."

In the afternoon, they went to the Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining, a magnificent mosque that shone with holy glory in the sun.

"Standing here, I can feel a sense of tranquility and solemnity." Li Xiao said softly.

Zhang Yue said: "Different religious beliefs have their own unique charms, and they all inspire awe."

There are many shops selling ethnic products on the streets near the mosque. They walked into a shop filled with exquisite Tibetan carpets, silver ornaments, etc.

Li Xiao picked up a Tibetan carpet and said, "The pattern on this carpet is really beautiful. The craftsmanship must be very complicated."

Zhang Yue tried on a piece of silver jewelry: "This silver jewelry is very unique and has a very ethnic style."

Lin Fei picked out some small handicrafts with Tibetan characteristics and said: "I will take them back and give them to my friends so that they can also feel the unique charm of Xining."

At night, the streets of Xining are brightly lit. They stroll along the streets, feeling the bustle and vitality of the city at night.

"Xining has both a profound religious and cultural heritage and the vitality of a modern city. It is a truly unique place," Li Xiao said with emotion.

Zhang Yue nodded: "Yes, today's experience has given me a new understanding of this city."

Lin Fei smiled and said, "I wonder what fun places we will find in Xining next?" They ended a fulfilling day in Xining with anticipation, accumulating enthusiasm and expectations for subsequent exploration.

At dawn, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei drove to the dreamlike Qinghai Lake with beautiful memories of Xining. The car sped along the winding road, and the scenery outside the window was like a flowing painting, with the grassland and the blue sky complementing each other, and the continuous mountains like loyal guards guarding this land.

"I feel like we are sailing towards the holy lake at the horizon." Zhang Yue's eyes were full of longing and his words revealed irrepressible excitement.

Li Xiao took a deep breath of fresh air and responded, "Qinghai Lake is the pearl of Qinghai. I heard that it has ever-changing beauty in different seasons and weather. We must appreciate it today."

Lin Fei held the steering wheel attentively, with a smile on his face: "Don't worry, with me here, I will definitely make sure everyone arrives safely and doesn't miss any of the beautiful scenery."

As the distance got closer, the intoxicating blue gradually came into view. When Qinghai Lake was fully displayed in front of them, everyone was shocked by the boundless blue and speechless. The lake water rippled under the gentle breeze, blending with the blue sky. The place where the water and the sky met seemed to be the end of the world.

"This is simply a paradise on earth!" Li Xiao was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Zhang Yue couldn't wait to run to the lake. She squatted down, stretched out her hand and gently touched the lake water. The cool feeling instantly spread throughout her body. "The lake water is so cool, but it's really clear." She turned around and said to Li Xiao and Lin Fei who had followed her.

Lin Fei stood aside, gazing into the distance, and sighed: "This vast lake makes me feel as if my mind has become more open, as if all the troubles in the world have been absorbed by the lake."

They strolled along the lake, occasionally seeing groups of yaks grazing leisurely by the lake, as if they were also appreciating the beautiful scenery. Li Xiao saw some water birds playing on the lake, and excitedly said to Zhang Yue: "Look at those water birds, they are flying freely on the lake, so pleasant."

Zhang Yue responded with a smile: "They are the real masters of Qinghai Lake. We, the passers-by, should not disturb them."

As they walked, they found a field of golden rapeseed flowers. The rapeseed flowers swayed in the breeze, and the blue lake formed a beautiful picture. Li Xiao excitedly rushed into the rapeseed field, opened his arms, and shouted, "Come and take pictures, the scenery is so beautiful!"

Zhang Yue quickly took out his camera and kept pressing the shutter to record this beautiful moment. "Li Xiao, stand there and don't move. This angle will definitely make the photo look great."

Lin Fei was admiring the beautiful scenery and said, "The combination of rape flowers and Qinghai Lake is simply a stroke of genius from nature. The collision of colors is eye-catching."

Near noon, they stopped at a small restaurant near Qinghai Lake. Although the restaurant was small, it was filled with the aroma of local specialties.

"We must try the Huangyu from Qinghai Lake today." Li Xiao said as he looked at the menu.

When a dish of delicious Huangyu fish was served, Zhang Yue took a bite and his eyes lit up immediately: "The fish is tender and delicious, and there is no fishy smell at all. It's so delicious!"

Lin Fei also praised the local highland barley flour steamed buns: "These highland barley flour steamed buns have a solid texture and rich wheat aroma, which goes perfectly with the Huangyu fish."

After eating and drinking, they rented some bicycles and rode along Qinghai Lake. The breeze blew on their faces, bringing the cool breath of the lake water. As they rode, they admired the scenery of the lake and mountains.

"This feels great. I can exercise my body and enjoy the beautiful scenery up close," said Li Xiao as he rode.

Zhang Yue shouted from behind: "Yes, I feel like I am almost one with this lake."

During the ride, they also met some local herdsmen, who greeted them warmly and invited them to their tents to taste yak milk tea and barley cakes.

In the herdsman's tent, Li Xiao looked at the decorations in the tent curiously and asked, "Do these patterns have any special meaning?"

The herder smiled and explained: "These patterns are symbols of our Tibetan culture, representing auspiciousness, happiness and the yearning for a better life."

Zhang Yue tasted the yak milk tea and said, "This yak milk tea tastes very special, with a faint aroma of milk and tea mixed together."

Lin Fei chatted with the herdsmen about the legends and stories of Qinghai Lake and listened with great interest.

After bidding farewell to the herdsmen, they continued riding until the sun set, dyeing the entire Qinghai Lake golden. They stopped their bicycles and quietly admired the beautiful sunset.

"The sunset over Qinghai Lake is so beautiful. This trip is really worthwhile." Li Xiao said with emotion. Zhang Yue nodded in agreement: "Yes, every moment of today is worth remembering."

Lin Fei looked at the gradually darkening sky and said, "We should go back, but I believe that the beauty of Qinghai Lake will remain in our hearts forever."

They set out on the road back to their residence with full of beautiful memories, and the love song of Qinghai Lake will echo in their hearts for a long time.
Leaving the intoxicating blue of Qinghai Lake, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei’s journey to the northwest came to Jiayuguan.

Along the way, Li Xiao looked at the slightly desolate scenery outside the window and said thoughtfully: "Jiayuguan, that is the western starting point of the Great Wall. Just thinking about it makes me feel majestic and full of historical weight."

Zhang Yue continued, "Yes, it has witnessed countless battles and changes over the years, and this time I can finally see it with my own eyes."

Lin Fei held the steering wheel steadily: "When we get there, we must experience the majesty of the ancient military fortress."

When the outline of Jiayu Pass gradually became clear in the distance, everyone could not help but sit up straight. The tall city wall exuded a simple and solemn atmosphere under the sunlight, like a resolute old man, silently telling the smoke of war in the past.

As they approached the city wall and looked up at the towering tower, Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh: "This wall is so thick, it must have been indestructible back then. It's hard to imagine how the ancients built such a magnificent project."

Zhang Yue gently stroked the bricks of the city wall and said, "These bricks may still retain the breath of the former warriors. Each one carries the memory of history."

After entering the city, they slowly climbed up the horse path and climbed up the city wall. Looking out into the distance, there was an endless Gobi Desert outside the pass, and the howling wind seemed to whisper about the fierce war in the past.

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Lin Fei stood on the tower, facing the wind and said: "Standing here, it seems as if I can see the soldiers guarding the border in those days, wearing armor, holding weapons, patrolling and standing guard on this wall to resist foreign enemies."

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, this Jiayu Pass is their solid fortress and an important line of defense to protect the Central Plains."

After visiting the tower, they came to the martial arts arena in the city, where a wonderful imitation of ancient times was being performed. Actors dressed in ancient military uniforms, holding weapons, performed various battle formations and simulated battles.

"Wow, this performance is so wonderful. It takes us back to the ancient battlefield." Zhang Yue said excitedly, his eyes fixed on the performance on the field.

Li Xiao was also deeply attracted: "Looking at their uniform movements and vigorous and powerful moves, the military training of the ancients must have been very strict."

After the performance, they saw various souvenirs with Jiayuguan characteristics at a small stall next to the martial arts arena, such as models of the Great Wall, small ornaments of ancient weapons, etc.

Li Xiao picked up an exquisite Jiayuguan Great Wall model and said to Zhang Yue: "This is very commemorative. Buy it and put it at home. It will always remind you of our experience in Jiayuguan."

Zhang Yue picked out several badges with Jiayuguan patterns: "These badges are very beautiful. I can give them to my friends so that they can also feel the charm of Jiayuguan."

As noon approached, their stomachs began to growl, so they went to a local restaurant and ordered the local specialty steamed beef and mutton and hotpot.

When the steamed beef and mutton were served, they were steaming hot and fragrant. Li Xiao picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, saying with satisfaction: "The mutton melts in your mouth, and the aroma of the rice noodles is also completely integrated into it. The taste is wonderful."

Zhang Yue tasted a bite of the hot pot and his eyes lit up: "This hot pot is very unique, with rich and varied ingredients and a rich and mellow taste."

After lunch and a short rest, they headed to the cantilever Great Wall of Jiayuguan. Although they were a little out of breath after climbing the steep steps, they felt that all the hard work was worth it when they stood on the top of the Great Wall and overlooked the magnificent scenery around them.

"This cantilevered Great Wall is like a giant dragon winding over the mountain ridge. It's so shocking." Lin Fei exclaimed.

Li Xiao looked at the mountains and Gobi Desert in the distance and said, "In this vast world, Jiayuguan seems so small yet so great. It is the crystallization of human wisdom and courage."

Zhang Yue took out her camera and recorded this unforgettable scenery: "These photos will become precious memories of our trip."

As the sun sets, Jiayu Pass is dyed golden. Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei return home with a lot of harvest and respect for this ancient pass. The majestic figure of Jiayu Pass has been deeply engraved in their hearts and has become a highlight of their journey to the northwest.
Starting from Jiayuguan, Li Xiao and his party arrived in Lanzhou, where the Yellow River runs through the city.

"Lanzhou, I heard that this is a bustling city with so much delicious food that makes people salivate." Li Xiao couldn't help but say as soon as he stepped into Lanzhou.

Zhang Yue took a deep breath and said, "I also know that there is a famous Zhongshan Bridge in Lanzhou, which spans the Yellow River and has witnessed the vicissitudes of time."

Lin Fei smiled and said, "Then let's go to Zhongshan Bridge first and feel the historical charm of this city."

When they stood on the Zhongshan Bridge, the Yellow River was roaring and surging. Li Xiao leaned on the bridge railing, watching the Yellow River rushing eastward, and said with emotion: "The Yellow River is worthy of being the mother river of the Chinese nation. This majestic momentum is awe-inspiring."

Zhang Yue was taking photos nearby, capturing not only the Yellow River and the bridge, but also citizens strolling leisurely along the shore. "Look at this picture, how harmonious, where modernity and history blend together."

After walking across Zhongshan Bridge, they came to a park on the bank of the Yellow River. There were many elderly people practicing Tai Chi in the park, and children flying kites. Li Xiao looked at the kites of various shapes and said to Zhang Yue, "Do you still remember the time when we flew kites together when we were little?"

Zhang Yue smiled and replied: "Of course I remember. I was so carefree back then."

Lin Fei also joined in the reminiscence: "Time flies so fast. Now we are experiencing a different style in the northwest."

Near noon, they walked into a Lanzhou beef noodle restaurant, which was filled with the rich aroma of beef soup.

"When you come to Lanzhou, how can you not eat a bowl of authentic Lanzhou beef noodles?" Li Xiao said excitedly.

When three bowls of beef noodles were served, the green chopped green onions, coriander, red chili oil, chewy noodles, and rich beef soup made people salivate. Zhang Yue took a sip of the soup first: "Wow, this soup is so delicious, it feels like my taste buds are dancing."

Li Xiao ate the noodles in big mouthfuls: "These noodles are of uniform thickness and have a smooth texture. They are indeed the signature delicacy of Lanzhou." (End of this chapter)