Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1704

As soon as you arrive at Wangfujing, you will be greeted by a lively atmosphere. The streets are brightly lit and bustling with people. The signs of various stores are shining brightly, dazzling you. The mall displays a wide variety of goods, from fashionable clothing, exquisite accessories to high-end electronic products and unique handicrafts.

Li Xiao was attracted by a fashionable clothing store and went in to pick out a few clothes that he liked. "There are so many styles of clothes here, and they are all very fashionable. I want to buy a few more." Li Xiao said happily.

Zhang Yuedong found several books about the history and culture of the capital in a bookstore. He couldn't wait to turn the pages and immerse himself in the ocean of knowledge. "These books contain a lot of historical allusions and cultural traditions about the capital. I must study them carefully when I return," said Zhang Yuedong.

Lin Yifei's eyes were attracted by all kinds of delicacies. He saw a Beijing Roast Duck restaurant and pulled Li Xiao and Zhang Yuedong in. "How can we not eat Beijing Roast Duck when we come to Beijing? We must try it today." Lin Yifei said excitedly.

The three of them walked into the roast duck restaurant. The restaurant was packed with people and filled with the rich aroma of roast duck. They ordered a roast duck, and it was served to the table soon. The roast duck was red in color, shiny and crispy, with an attractive sheen on the skin. The waiter skillfully sliced ​​the roast duck into thin slices, each of which was evenly sized and of moderate thickness.

"Wow, this roast duck looks delicious." Lin Yifei couldn't wait to pick up a piece of duck meat, dip it in sweet noodle sauce, put onion shreds and cucumber strips, roll it up with a lotus leaf pancake, put it in his mouth and took a bite. "It's so delicious, the skin is crispy and the meat is tender, the taste is really amazing." Lin Yifei praised while eating and gave a thumbs up.

Li Xiao and Zhang Yuedong also tasted it and were impressed by the deliciousness of the Beijing roast duck. "This roast duck is indeed worthy of its reputation and is worthy of being a special delicacy of the capital," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yuedong savored the flavor of the roast duck and said, "The production process of Beijing's roast duck is very particular. From selecting ducks, feeding, roasting to slicing ducks, every step has strict requirements. This unique flavor is the result of hundreds of years of inheritance and improvement."

In addition to Beijing roast duck, they also tasted other special snacks of the capital, such as noodles with soybean sauce, bean juice, and fried dough sticks. Noodles with soybean sauce are chewy, with rich meat sauce, and paired with various vegetables, the taste is very delicious. Bean juice is a drink with Beijing characteristics, with a unique taste. Some people may not be used to it, but for those who like it, it is a delicacy. Fried dough sticks are fried noodles with a crispy texture. When eaten with bean juice, it has a unique flavor.

"The food in this capital is so rich, and each one has its own unique flavor." Lin Yifei exclaimed as he ate.

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "Yes, this trip to the capital is really a feast for the eyes."

After dinner, the three continued to stroll in Wangfujing. They also visited Wangfujing Catholic Church, a Gothic-style church that was solemn and full of religious atmosphere. The stained glass windows of the church looked particularly beautiful under the light, making people feel the charm of Western culture.

On the streets of Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, they also saw many street performers performing. Some were singing, some were dancing, and some were performing magic tricks. Their performances attracted many tourists and won rounds of applause and cheers. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei were also attracted by these performances. They stopped to watch and feel the vibrant atmosphere.

Before they knew it, it was already late at night, and the three of them left Wangfujing with a full harvest and a happy mood. This trip to Wangfujing allowed them to feel the prosperity and modern atmosphere of the capital, and also allowed them to taste a variety of delicious capital specialties, leaving behind a wonderful memory.

On the last day in the capital, the three of them came to a theater to watch a wonderful Peking Opera performance. Peking Opera, as the quintessence of China, is one of the representatives of traditional Chinese opera art. It is famous for its unique singing, gorgeous costumes, superb performances and rich plots.

Walking into the theater, a rich cultural atmosphere hits you. The stage is decorated with exquisite props and backgrounds, and the actors are nervously preparing backstage. The audience gradually takes their seats, and everyone is looking forward to the performance.

The performance began, and the first scene was a wonderful martial arts scene. The actors wore bright costumes and held weapons, showing their superb martial arts on the stage. Their movements were agile and powerful, and their moves were smooth and coherent. Every turn and every jump was amazing. In the flashing of swords and sabers, it seemed as if people had returned to the ancient battlefield.

"This martial arts scene is so exciting. The actors' skills are really amazing," Li Xiao said excitedly.

Zhang Yuedong also nodded in agreement: "Yes, the martial arts scenes in Peking Opera require not only superb martial arts, but also delicate performances, and the characters' personalities and emotions should be displayed through actions."

Next, there was a literary drama. The actors told a touching story with melodious singing and delicate performance. Their singing was sometimes high-pitched and passionate, and sometimes gentle and melodious. Every note seemed to carry emotion, deeply touching the hearts of the audience. The actors' performances were also very vivid. They showed the characters' personalities and emotions vividly through their eyes, expressions and movements.

"The singing is so beautiful. Although I don't understand what they are singing, I can feel the emotions in it," said Lin Yifei.

Zhang Yuedong explained with a smile: "There are many kinds of singing styles in Peking Opera, each with its own unique charm and emotions. Although we may not be familiar with the lyrics of Peking Opera, we can still feel its charm through the actors' singing styles and performances."

During the performance, the actors also displayed the unique facial makeup and costumes of Peking Opera. Facial makeup is one of the important symbols of Peking Opera, and different facial makeups represent different characters and identities. Red facial makeup represents loyalty and bravery, such as Guan Yu; white facial makeup represents insidiousness and cunningness, such as Cao Cao; black facial makeup represents integrity, such as Bao Zheng. The actors' costumes are also very gorgeous, with bright colors and exquisite patterns. Each piece of clothing contains rich cultural connotations.

"These facial masks and costumes are so beautiful. They are not only a kind of decoration, but also an important part of Peking Opera culture," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, the Peking Opera's facial makeup and costumes are carefully designed. They match the plot, character and identity, and can better show the artistic charm of Peking Opera."

The Peking Opera performance lasted for more than two hours, and the actors' wonderful performances won applause and cheers from the audience. After the performance, the three were still immersed in the charm of Peking Opera, and they had a deeper understanding and love for this traditional culture.

"Watching the Peking Opera performance this time gave me a new understanding of Peking Opera. It is really a remarkable art form," Li Xiao said with emotion.

Zhang Yuedong also said: "Peking opera is a treasure of Chinese traditional culture, which carries rich historical and cultural connotations. We should learn more about and inherit this traditional culture so that it can shine with new vitality in modern society." Lin Yifei said excitedly: "I will come to see Peking opera again in the future. I want to learn the singing and performance of Peking opera and pass on this art."

After leaving the theater, the three of them embarked on their journey home with their love for Peking Opera and reluctance to leave the capital. This trip to the capital has brought them a lot of gains. Not only did they appreciate the capital's history, culture and natural scenery, but they also tasted a variety of delicacies and felt the unique charm of this city. They look forward to their next trip to continue exploring China's beautiful scenery and rich culture.

The sunlight shines through the cracks in the window onto Li Xiao's face, awakening his excitement for this long-awaited trip. Li Xiao is a young man full of energy and curiosity about the world. He is of medium build, with short, clean hair, and his eyes always sparkle with a sparkle of exploration. He loves life, and is especially keen on exploring the local customs and practices of different places. Every trip is a new adventure for him.

Zhang Yuedong is Li Xiao's college classmate. He is cheerful and optimistic. He is slightly fat, with a round face and always has a bright smile. His laughter is very contagious and can instantly ignite the atmosphere around him. He has a unique love for food. Whenever he goes to a place, the first thing he looks for is the local special snacks. In his words, "food is the best way to understand the culture of a place."

Lin Yifei is Li Xiao's childhood friend. He is calm, knowledgeable, and a true history and culture fan. He is tall, wears a pair of black-framed glasses, and his eyes are wise and profound. His love for history and culture is almost obsessive. Whenever he visits a historical site, he can talk endlessly about the stories and historical origins behind it.

These three young people came together because of their love for traveling. When Li Xiao proposed the idea of ​​traveling to Guangdong, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei responded without hesitation. They were all attracted by Guangdong's unique Lingnan culture, magnificent natural scenery and rich food.

"We're finally leaving. I can't wait to try the Guangdong delicacies!" Zhang Yuedong said excitedly, patting his round belly as he spoke.

"I am more looking forward to those historical sites, like the Zhuji Ancient Alley in Shaoguan. It is said that it carries thousands of years of history and the memories of countless families." Lin Yifei adjusted his glasses, his eyes flashing with anticipation.

Li Xiao said with a smile: "Whether it is the food or the historical sites, this trip to Guangdong will definitely be unforgettable for us."

They packed their luggage early. Li Xiao's backpack contained a camera, a notebook and some spare clothes. He planned to record every detail of the trip with his camera and words. In addition to clothes, Zhang Yuedong's bag was also stuffed with a lot of snacks. He didn't want to go hungry during the journey. Lin Yifei brought a few books on Guangdong's history and culture so that he could read them at any time.

The three of them arrived at the airport, checked in, and sat in the waiting hall, watching the planes take off and land outside the window, their anticipation growing stronger.

"What do you think? Our first stop is Danxia Mountain. Is the scenery there really as beautiful as described on the Internet?" Li Xiao asked curiously.

Lin Yifei replied: "Danxia Mountain is a world natural heritage site, famous for its unique Danxia landform. The red mountain should be very spectacular under the sunlight."

Zhang Yuedong continued, "Who cares? We won't be disappointed. Who knows, we might even find some delicious wild fruits on the mountain."

As the boarding announcement sounded, they stood up, pulled their suitcases, and headed for the boarding gate. This trip to Guangdong was like a painting that was about to unfold. They didn't know what kind of beautiful scenery, delicious food, and stories were waiting for them, but they were full of expectations and ready to welcome all unknown surprises.

The plane slowly took off, leaving the familiar city and flying towards Guangdong. At an altitude of 30,000 feet, Li Xiao looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, silently looking forward to every moment of this trip. He knew that this would be a journey full of laughter, exploration and growth.

Danxia Mountain: A magnificent poem of red cliffs

After several hours of flight, the plane slowly landed at the airport in Guangdong. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei walked out of the airport and immediately felt the unique atmosphere of Guangdong. The air here is moist and warm, with a faint floral scent, which is completely different from the dry climate in their hometown.

The three of them took a rental car and drove towards Danxia Mountain. Along the way, the scenery outside the window kept changing, and high-rise buildings were gradually replaced by green mountains and clear waters. Li Xiao looked out the window excitedly, and the camera in his hand flashed from time to time, recording the beautiful scenery along the way. Zhang Yuedong kept chatting with the driver, asking about local food and fun places. Lin Yifei quietly read the book in his hand, occasionally looking up to appreciate the scenery outside the window.

When they finally arrived at the foot of Danxia Mountain, they were amazed by the sight. The rolling red mountains, shining in the sun, looked like red giants on earth. These mountains have different shapes, some look like camels, some look like castles, and some look like sharp swords piercing the sky.

"This is Danxia Mountain, it's so spectacular!" Li Xiao couldn't help but exclaim.

Zhang Yuedong also widened his eyes and said excitedly: "This is just like a huge oil painting, more beautiful than I imagined!"

Lin Yifei pushed up his glasses and said, "Danxia Mountain is a typical representative of Danxia landform. This unique landform was formed after a long geological evolution. It has witnessed the historical changes of the earth."

They couldn't wait to enter the scenic area, and the first thing that caught their eyes was the Changlao Peak. The Changlao Peak towered into the clouds, like a majestic elder overlooking the land. The three decided to challenge themselves and climb the Changlao Peak.

Climbing the Changlao Peak is not easy. The mountain road is steep and some places even require the use of hands and feet. Li Xiao took the lead. He was agile and quickly climbed to the front. Zhang Yuedong followed behind panting and had to stop to rest every few steps. Although Lin Yifei was not as strong as Li Xiao, he climbed up step by step with his tenacious perseverance.

"Come on, Yuedong, we're almost at the top of the mountain!" Li Xiao encouraged Zhang Yuedong in front.