Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1639 3.
Old Li, I heard that Xiaoqikong in Libo, Guizhou is very beautiful, with colorful water, like a paradise on earth, let's go there next!" Huang Pengfei looked through the travel guide on his phone, his eyes full of anticipation. Li Xiao leaned over to take a look at the pictures and immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay, it looks very interesting, let's go to Libo!"

As soon as I stepped into the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Libo, the moist and fresh air with the fragrance of plants and trees hit me in the face. The scenery in front of me is like a gorgeous watercolor painting. The Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge spans the green Hanbitan Lake. The bridge is covered with vines and moss, and the traces of time are clearly visible. "Lao Li, this bridge is so charming. It feels like I have traveled back to ancient times." Huang Pengfei couldn't wait to walk onto the bridge and gently stroked the bridge railing. Strolling along the Xiangshui River, the 68-level waterfalls are stacked layer by layer, splashing water, making a crisp roar, and the sunlight penetrates the water vapor, reflecting rainbows. "This waterfall group is so spectacular, and it also has its own rainbow special effects, which is absolutely amazing!" Li Xiao took photos excitedly.

At noon, you can taste the special food of Libo in the restaurants near the scenic spot, and the sour soup fish is indispensable. The sour soup is rich and appetizing, the fish meat is fresh and tender, and paired with the local special dipping sauce, the sour and spicy taste jumps on the tip of the tongue. "This sour soup fish, I can eat three bowls of rice!" Huang Pengfei ate heartily. In the afternoon, they came to Wolongtan. The water of the pond is deep blue, surrounded by green mountains. The water surface is as calm as a mirror. Only when the cruise ship passes by, will there be ripples. "Stay here, my heart is calm, it's so comfortable." Huang Pengfei found a stone to sit down and quietly appreciate the beautiful scenery.

After leaving Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, the two went to Libo Ancient Town. The lights in the ancient town were just coming on, and the characteristic buildings of ethnic minorities such as Buyi and Shui were scattered in an orderly manner. The small shops on the street sold all kinds of ethnic handicrafts, from exquisite batik fabrics to simple silver ornaments. "These small items are so ethnic, I'll take a few back as souvenirs." Li Xiao picked and chose, and couldn't let go. They walked into a pub and ordered a few glasses of homemade rice wine. The slightly sweet wine had a light fruity aroma, and it was very comfortable with some special stewed food.

The next day, they went to the next stop - the ancient town of Zhenyuan in Guizhou. Zhenyuan Ancient Town was built along the Wuyang River. The river meanders through the ancient town. On both sides of the river are ancient buildings with flying eaves and corners. The bluestone roads have been polished by time. "Lao Li, this Zhenyuan exudes a gentle and simple energy. It is different from the places I have been to before." Huang Pengfei said as he strolled on the river bank and watched the boats passing by in the river. At noon, find a restaurant by the river and order Zhenyuan dishes and grilled fish with tofu. Zhenyuan dishes have a mellow taste and moderate saltiness; the fish meat of the grilled fish with tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the tofu absorbs the freshness of the fish soup, making every bite intoxicating.

In the afternoon, they walked through the alleys of the ancient town and came across a local folk performance. The Miao girls were dressed in gorgeous costumes and danced happily. The sound of the reed pipe was melodious. "This folk performance is so contagious that people can't help but follow the rhythm." Li Xiao also swayed his body gently to the rhythm. In the evening, they climbed up Shiping Mountain in Zhenyuan and overlooked the whole ancient town. The brightly lit streets and the sparkling Wuyang River set off each other beautifully. "This night view is really never boring." Huang Pengfei raised his camera to freeze this charming moment.

After purchasing some Zhenyuan specialties, such as Qingxi Daqu and Zhenyuan embroidery, the two began to think about the next trip. "Lao Li, I heard that Shangri-La in Yunnan is mysterious and magnificent, why don't we go there?" Huang Pengfei looked longing. Li Xiao laughed: "Great, let's go explore Shangri-La!"

When they first arrived in Shangri-La, the vast blue sky and the endless grassland instantly caught their eyes. Herds of yaks were grazing leisurely on the grassland, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance were shining in the sun. "Lao Li, this is Shangri-La. It feels so free and unrestrained!" Huang Pengfei opened his arms and breathed in the air with the fragrance of grass. They first went to Pudacuo National Park and hiked on the plank road of Shudu Lake. The lake water was as clear as a mirror, surrounded by dense primeval forests, and little squirrels ran by their feet from time to time. "This ecological environment is great. It feels like walking into a fairy tale world." Li Xiao said softly, for fear of disturbing the tranquility.

At noon, we tasted traditional Tibetan food at a Tibetan home visit site near the park. The aroma of yak beef hotpot was overflowing, and the yak beef was stewed soft and tasty. It was paired with highland barley cakes and butter tea, which were full of Tibetan characteristics. "This Tibetan food has a unique flavor. The more you eat, the more you like it." Huang Pengfei imitated the locals and pinched the highland barley cakes with his hands and dipped them in the beef soup. In the afternoon, we came to Songzanlin Temple. This "Little Potala Palace" is magnificent, with a golden roof shining in the sun. There are many Buddha statues in the temple, butter lamps swaying, and the voices of monks chanting are low and ethereal. "Here, you can really feel the power of faith." Li Xiao said softly with a solemn face.

In the evening, strolling in the Dukezong Ancient City, the prayer wheels in the ancient city are so huge that they require the joint efforts of many people to turn. They also joined in, following the local residents to push the prayer wheels and make good wishes. On both sides of the streets of the ancient city, various Tibetan handicrafts are sold, from exquisite thangkas to quaint Tibetan carpets. "These handicrafts are so exquisite, taking them back and hanging them at home will definitely add a lot of color." Huang Pengfei picked a small thangka and carefully put it away.

The next day, the two went to Napahai. It was the rainy season at this time. The grassland turned into an ocean, forming a unique wetland landscape. Rare birds such as black-necked cranes forage and live in the wetlands. "Lao Li, this Napahai is really a bird's paradise. The ecology is so rich." Huang Pengfei held a telescope and observed the birds attentively. After the tour, they purchased some Shangri-La specialties, such as cordyceps and yak jerky, and planned the next travel destination with great anticipation. Output as many words as possible, and continue to carry the magnificence and mystery of Shangri-La. Huang Pengfei and Li Xiao's eyes were attracted by the leisurely style of Yangshuo, Guilin. "Lao Li, I still miss the slow life in Yangshuo. Let's go there for a few more days and relax." Huang Pengfei suggested while packing his luggage. Li Xiao agreed deeply: "Okay, the mountains, rivers and countryside of Yangshuo will never be boring no matter how many times you go."

Arriving in Yangshuo again, the familiar warm air and picturesque scenery instantly relieved the fatigue of the journey. They did not rush to popular attractions, but plunged into the small village of Yangshuo. In the early morning, walking along the winding ridges, the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, covering the green rice fields like a veil. In the distance, the chimneys of the farmhouses were rising with curling smoke, and occasionally a few dogs barked. "Lao Li, this is the tranquility that life should have. You can't find it in big cities." Huang Pengfei took a deep breath of the air with the fragrance of soil, full of intoxication.

Walking to the market at the entrance of the village, the small market was bustling with local villagers selling fresh fruits and vegetables grown by themselves, freshly baked baba, and hand-woven bamboo baskets. Huang Pengfei picked a few ripe mangoes with great interest, and bought a few steaming mugwort baba, and sat on the street with Li Xiao to feast on them. "This mugwort baba is soft, sweet, and has a special fragrance. It's so delicious." Li Xiao praised it highly.

At noon, they found a farmhouse restaurant and ordered Yangshuo's classic beer fish and stir-fried vegetables. The beer fish uses fresh fish caught in the Li River. After frying both sides until golden brown, pour in beer and stew. The rich malt aroma seeps into the fish meat, and every bite is firm and tender, making people unable to stop. In the afternoon, they rented two electric bikes and rode along the path along the Yulong River. The breeze brushed across the cheeks, bringing the moisture of the river water and the fragrance of flowers and plants on both sides. Along the way, you can see many students sketching, using their brushes to freeze the beautiful scenery in front of them. "It would be great if I could keep this moment forever. It's so comfortable." Huang Pengfei couldn't help but sigh.

In the evening, we walked into the old theater in Yangshuo and watched an authentic Guilin Caidiao. The actors were dressed in colorful costumes, singing gracefully and performing humorous movements, interpreting local folk stories. "Old Li, this Caidiao is interesting, and it exudes a simple joy." Huang Pengfei was amused and laughed, and applauded with the audience. After leaving the theater, the two wandered to West Street, which was still brightly lit and bustling. Dynamic music came from the bar, street performers showed cool juggling, and snack stalls were crowded with tourists of all kinds. They picked a clear bar, ordered two glasses of special fruit wine, listened to the singer humming folk songs, and shared the fun of the past few days. "Yangshuo is such a magical place, and I have a new feeling every time I come here." Li Xiao gently shook the wine glass, his eyes full of comfort.

After purchasing some Yangshuo specialty tea and handmade soap as local specialties, Huang Pengfei suddenly had an idea the next day: "Old Li, let's go to the northeast, to Harbin to see the ice sculptures and experience the winter in the ice city." Li Xiao's eyes lit up: "What a good idea! It's a good opportunity to experience different climates."

As soon as they got off the plane, the cold weather in Harbin gave them a shock, and the biting cold wind scraped across their faces like a knife. But when they stepped into the ice and snow world, all the coldness was forgotten. In front of them was a crystal clear ice and snow kingdom. The huge ice castle was like a dream under the reflection of colorful lights. The ice slides, ice mazes and other amusement facilities were crowded with excited and screaming tourists. "Lao Li, this is too shocking, it's like bringing the ice and snow castle in the fairy tale to reality!" Huang Pengfei couldn't wait to rush to the ice slide to experience the thrill of speeding.

At noon, I walked into a steaming Russian restaurant and ordered classic dishes such as red sausage, leba, and braised beef in a pot. The red sausage was firm and had a strong garlic flavor; the leba was large and full of wheat flavor; the braised beef in a pot was stewed soft and tasty, and the soup was rich and mellow. "This Russian food is not only filling but also delicious, it's really good." Li Xiao exclaimed that he was very satisfied with the meal.

In the afternoon, strolling along Central Avenue, this exotic old street is paved with square stones, with European-style buildings on both sides of the street, and various shops selling Harbin-style souvenirs and mink coats. There was a bustling crowd in front of the Madiel popsicle sales point on the street. Huang Pengfei bought two original popsicles and munched on them in the street temperature of minus ten degrees: "Old Li, don't tell me, these popsicles are very delicious in such a cold day!"

At night, we came to the Songhua River. The river surface was already thick with ice. Many citizens were skating and playing ice hockey on the ice. They also rented an ice sled and chased each other on the ice. The laughter echoed on the river. "This winter in Harbin is so fun. It's worth the cold!" Huang Pengfei's face was red from the cold, but he was full of smiles.

The next day, we went to the Sun Island Snow Expo, where the art of snow sculptures was displayed vividly. The snow sculptures of various shapes, from mythological characters to cartoon characters, were lifelike. After the visit, we bought some Harbin specialties, such as Qiulin kvass and Harbin red sausage, and began to think about the next surprise destination. "Lao Li, I heard that Quanzhou in Fujian is a famous historical and cultural city. Let's go there next." Huang Pengfei flipped through the travel guide and was eager to try. Li Xiao nodded: "Okay, let's go and experience the ancient charm of southern Fujian."

When I first arrived in Quanzhou, I was overwhelmed by the ancient and heavy historical atmosphere. When I entered Kaiyuan Temple, the East and West Towers stood tall. The relief carvings on the towers have been eroded by wind and rain, but the exquisite craftsmanship of the year can still be seen, telling Buddhist stories and folk legends. The temple is full of towering ancient trees and incense. Devout believers hold incense and candles and pray silently. "Old Li, this Kaiyuan Temple is so profound. Every building and every Buddha statue has accumulated years." Huang Pengfei looked up at the twin towers with awe in his heart.

At noon, we walked through the old streets and alleys of Quanzhou, looking for authentic food. The meat dumplings are indispensable. The glutinous rice is soft and sticky, wrapped with fat and lean pork belly, salted egg yolk, and then drizzled with a special sweet and spicy sauce. When you take a bite, multiple flavors intertwine on the tip of your tongue. There is also fried oysters. Fresh oysters are paired with green leeks, fried to a crispy outside and tender inside, and dipped in a dipping sauce made of vinegar and minced garlic, which is extremely delicious. "This Quanzhou food is so delicious to my taste. Every one of them can make people linger for a long time." Li Xiao ate with a mouthful of oil and praised it endlessly.

In the afternoon, we went to the Quanzhou Overseas Transportation History Museum, where a large number of maritime relics are displayed, from ancient anchors to exquisite porcelain, witnessing the glory of Quanzhou as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. "This is simply a living history of navigation, so shocking." Huang Pengfei marveled at the ancient people's navigation wisdom while visiting.

In the evening, we came to the West Street in Quanzhou. It was very lively. There were antique shops next to each other, selling puppet heads, Nanyin instruments and other special handicrafts. Street performers performed Nanyin, and the melodious tunes were like traveling through a thousand-year time tunnel. "Lao Li, this Nanyin is so charming, it makes people feel calm when listening to it." Huang Pengfei stopped and immersed himself in this ancient music.

After strolling along West Street, the two found a teahouse to sit down and ordered a few cups of Tieguanyin. They watched the tea leaves expand in the hot water, smelled the rich tea fragrance, and tasted the mellow tea soup. "This trip to Quanzhou is really worth it. We experienced both the ancient charm and the modern style." Huang Pengfei leaned back in his chair comfortably. After purchasing some Quanzhou specialties, such as Dehua porcelain and Yongchun vinegar, they began to look forward to the next journey and cast their eyes on the mysterious ancient city of Fenghuang in western Hunan.