Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

The Wanjuan Tower is a manifestation of the Tusi of the Mu family's admiration for culture. It is said that it once housed a thousand volumes of Dongba scriptures, a hundred volumes of the Tripitaka, the poetry collections of the Six Tusi Lords, and many cultural treasures such as calligraphy and paintings by famous scholars; the Hufa Hall, also known as the Rear Meeting Hall, was where the Tusi of Mu discussed family affairs; the Guangbi Tower was earlier the library of the Lijiang prefectural government office, with carved beams and painted rafters, and was very beautiful; the Yuyin Tower was where the Tusi sang, danced, and feasted, and it was also in this building that the imperial edicts were received; the Sanqing Hall is a product of the Tusi of the Mu family's admiration for Taoist spirit, and it is also a witness to the close connection between the Naxi people and the Central Plains civilization.

"These buildings are truly exquisite, and every detail demonstrates the superb skills of ancient craftsmen," exclaimed Zhang Yuedong.

Lin Yifei also nodded and said, "Yes, and through these buildings, we can also better understand the history and culture of the Naxi people."

After visiting the Mu Mansion, their stomachs started to growl. They decided to try some Lijiang delicacies. They went to a local restaurant and ordered a bowl of Lijiang Baba, a hot pot with cured pork ribs, a bowl of chicken bean jelly and some other side dishes.

Lijiang Baba is a traditional delicacy in Lijiang, and it comes in two flavors: sweet and salty. Sweet Lijiang Baba uses rose sugar, red bean paste, etc. as fillings, and has a sweet taste; salty Lijiang Baba uses chopped green onions, ham, etc. as fillings, and has a delicious taste. Li Xiao tasted a bite of the sweet Lijiang Baba and praised it highly: "This Lijiang Baba is so delicious, the skin is crispy, and the filling is sweet. It is really delicious."

Zhang Yuedong also tried the salty Lijiang baba and nodded, saying, "This is not bad either, it's salty and delicious, with a unique flavor."

Cured pork ribs hot pot is another specialty of Lijiang. Cured pork ribs are the main ingredients, paired with potatoes, tofu, cabbage and other ingredients, and stewed in a hot pot. It is delicious and nutritious. Lin Yifei took a piece of cured pork ribs, tasted it, and said: "This cured pork ribs is so fragrant, the meat is firm, and the taste is mellow. It's really delicious."

They also tasted other delicacies such as chickpea jelly, and they enjoyed every dish with gusto.

After dinner, they went to the street to watch the folk performance of the Naxi people. The performance venue was in a square, surrounded by spectators. On the stage, actors dressed in colorful Naxi costumes were performing wonderful programs.

The first was the Dongba dance of the Naxi ethnic group. The performers held various props and danced on the stage. Their movements were vigorous and full of mystery. "This Dongba dance was so wonderful. It felt like they were talking to the gods," Li Xiao praised.

Then came the performance of ancient music of the Naxi people. The performers played various ancient instruments, such as pipa, erhu, flute, etc. The music was melodious and pleasant, as if it could take people back to ancient Lijiang through time and space. Zhang Yuedong closed his eyes and listened to the wonderful music quietly, saying: "This ancient music is really beautiful, and it makes people feel that their souls have been purified."

Finally, there was a Naxi dance performance. The actors sang and danced with happy smiles on their faces. The whole performance was full of joy. Lin Yifei was also infected by this joyful atmosphere. He stood up and clapped and cheered along with the rhythm.

After watching the folk performance, they came to a nearby specialty store to buy some Dongba wood carvings, Naxi embroidery and other specialties to bring back to their family and friends. The specialty store was filled with a variety of specialties, each of which was exquisitely made and dazzling.

Li Xiao picked a Dongba woodcarving with a Naxi deity carved on it, which was very beautiful. He said: "This woodcarving is for my father, who has always been interested in these traditional cultures."

Zhang Yuedong bought a piece of Naxi embroidery, which depicts the beautiful scenery of Lijiang Ancient Town in bright colors and lifelike. He said: "I will give this embroidery to my mother, she will definitely like it."

Lin Yifei walked around the store and finally picked out some Naxi handmade jewelry. He said: "I will give these jewelry to my friends so that they can also experience the traditional culture of the Naxi people."

After buying the local specialties, they returned to the inn with satisfaction. Today's trip to Lijiang allowed them to experience the unique charm of Lijiang Ancient Town, the traditional culture of the Naxi people and the delicious specialties, and also gave them a deeper understanding and love for this city. They are looking forward to tomorrow's journey, wondering what kind of surprises are waiting for them.

On the last day in Lijiang, the sun still shone warmly in every corner of the ancient city. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei were packing their luggage in the courtyard of the inn. Although they were about to leave this place full of beautiful memories, their faces were still filled with satisfied smiles.

While packing, Lin Yifei sighed: "Time flies so fast. It feels like I just arrived in Yunnan and now I have to go back."

Zhang Yuedong stopped what he was doing, looked at the flowers in the yard, and said, "Yes, this trip is really unforgettable. Every city has its own unique charm. The Dianchi Lake in Kunming, the Erhai Lake in Dali, and the ancient city of Lijiang, these beautiful views I will never forget in my life."

Li Xiao also nodded in agreement: "The food and folk performances also gave us a deeper understanding of Yunnan culture. I think this trip is not only a relaxation, but also a spiritual baptism."

After packing their luggage, they came to a cafe in the ancient city, intending to enjoy the leisure time before leaving. Soft music was playing in the cafe, and tourists around were chatting happily. They found a seat by the window and ordered three cups of coffee and some snacks.

Li Xiao looked out the window at the streets of the ancient city and said, "Do you remember the first day we came to Lijiang? As soon as we entered the ancient city, we were attracted by the architecture and atmosphere here. It felt like we had walked into a paradise."

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "Of course I remember. We were lost in the ancient city at that time and had to ask many people before we found the inn."

Lin Yifei couldn't help laughing: "Haha, yes, but when I was lost, I found a lot of interesting shops and bought a lot of good things."

They recalled every detail of their trip and shared their feelings. Before they knew it, it was time to leave for the airport. They reluctantly left the cafe and took a taxi to the airport.

At the airport, they checked in and came to the terminal. Li Xiao looked at the crowd around him and suddenly said, "This trip made me realize that in addition to work and busyness, there are many beautiful things in life that are worth discovering and cherishing."

Zhang Yuedong nodded and said, "That's right. We should go out more often in the future and see this beautiful world."

Lin Yifei also said firmly: "Yes, next time we will travel to more places together."

As the boarding notice sounded on the radio, they stood up, picked up their luggage, and set off on their return journey. Although this trip to Yunnan is about to end, they know that this wonderful memory will always remain in their hearts and become the most precious treasure in their lives. In the future, there are more wonderful journeys waiting for them, and they will continue to move forward with this love for travel and expectations for life. Li Xiao also picked up a piece of Xilankapu and carefully observed the patterns and textures on it. He said: "What do these patterns mean?"

Village chief Zhang explained: "Most of the patterns on Xilankapu come from the life and legends of the Tujia people, such as dragons and phoenixes, flowers and birds, fish and insects. Each pattern has its own unique meaning. For example, dragons and phoenixes represent good luck, and flowers and birds represent happiness."

The three of them visited the workshop for a while, and then personally experienced weaving Xilankapu. Although their movements were unfamiliar, they managed to weave a small piece of Xilankapu under the guidance of the women. Zhang Yuedong looked at the Xilankapu he had woven and said with a smile: "This is really a technical job. It looks easy, but it is really difficult to do."

Lin Yifei also said: "Yes, but through this experience, we can better appreciate the wisdom and hard work of the Tujia people."

After leaving the workshop, the three of them wandered around the village and bought some Xilankapu, wood carvings and other special handicrafts. They also tasted Tujia bacon, blood tofu and other delicacies, each of which left them with an endless aftertaste.

As the sun set, the three said goodbye to the village owner Zhang and the hospitable Tujia villagers and left the Tujia village. Although they only stayed in the village for one day, the folk culture of the Tujia people had been deeply imprinted in their hearts. Zhang Yuedong said with emotion: "This trip to the Tujia village really gave me a lot of gains. Not only did I enjoy the beautiful scenery, but I also experienced the unique folk culture."

Lin Yifei also said: "Yes, the culture of the Tujia people is really extensive and profound. If I have the chance in the future, I will come here again to learn more about their culture."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "This trip is not over yet. There are more beautiful views and delicious food waiting for us. Let's go and continue."

So, the three of them embarked on a new journey with the expectation of the next destination, and the beautiful memories of the Tujia village will always remain in their hearts.

The end of the journey, memories and expectations

The trip of the three people in Enshi was gradually coming to an end. On the night before their return trip, they sat on the terrace of the hotel, enjoying this rare quiet time. The sky was full of stars and the breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness.

Zhang Yuedong looked up at the sky and said with emotion: "Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, our trip to Hubei is about to end."

Lin Yifei also said: "Yes, I still remember every detail of this journey vividly, just like a beautiful dream."

Li Xiao smiled and said: "This is not a dream, this is the wonderful time we have experienced together. This trip, we not only enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Hubei and tasted the delicious food, but also experienced different cultures and customs. It was really a fruitful trip."

Zhang Yuedong recalled the scene of eating hot dry noodles in Wuhan and said with a smile: "I will never forget the morning when I ate hot dry noodles in Wuhan. The rich aroma of sesame paste and the chewy noodles were really delicious. That was the first time I felt the charm of Wuhan cuisine."

Lin Yifei also recalled his experience at the Yellow Crane Tower, saying: "The Yellow Crane Tower also left a deep impression on me. Standing on the Yellow Crane Tower and overlooking the entire city of Wuhan, the feeling is really indescribable. The poems and historical stories in the tower also gave me a deeper understanding of China's traditional culture."

Li Xiao said: "Ancient Longzhong also left a deep impression on me. There, we seemed to travel through time and space and returned to the Three Kingdoms period, feeling the wisdom and charm of Zhuge Liang. His "Longzhong Plan" pointed out the direction for Liu Bei, and the strategic conception of dividing the world into three parts was really amazing."

Zhang Yuedong added: "There are also Xiangyang beef noodles and Yicheng prawns. I drool just thinking about the taste. Especially when we were eating Yicheng prawns, everyone sat together, eating and chatting. The atmosphere was really great."

Lin Yifei also nodded in agreement and said, "The beautiful scenery and folk culture of Enshi are also unforgettable to me. The magnificent scenery of the Enshi Grand Canyon and the unique customs of the Tujia village have made me feel the magic of nature and the charm of ethnic minority culture."

Li Xiao said: "During this trip, we not only saw beautiful scenery, but also made many friends. In the Tujia village, the village owner Zhang and the hospitable Tujia villagers made us feel the warmth of home."

The three of them talked and recalled every detail of the trip, with happy smiles on their faces. They knew that this trip to Hubei would become a precious memory in their lives.

Zhang Yuedong suddenly said, "This trip is over, but I'm already looking forward to the next one. What about you guys? Where do you want to go next time?"

Lin Yifei thought for a moment and said, "I want to go to Yunnan. I heard there is the beautiful Erhai Lake, the mysterious Shangri-La, and the unique ethnic minority culture. I really want to experience it."

Li Xiao also said: "Yunnan is indeed a good place. We can go there together if we have the chance. But I also want to go to XJ, where there are vast grasslands, magnificent deserts, clear lakes, and delicious lamb skewers and hand-pulled rice. Just thinking about it makes me yearn for it."

Zhang Yuedong said excitedly: "Okay, next time we have time, we will go to Yunnan or XJ together. I believe that the next trip will be even more exciting."

The three of them became more and more excited as they talked, and they were full of expectations for the future trip. They knew that traveling is not only about seeing the scenery, but also a life attitude, an exploration and pursuit of the unknown world. During the trip, they can relax, make friends, broaden their horizons, and gain growth.

As the night deepened, the three returned to their room with the expectation of future travel. They knew that they would embark on the return journey tomorrow, but their hearts still remained in this beautiful land. The wonderful memories of this trip to Hubei will always accompany them and become the most precious treasure in their lives. (End of this chapter)