Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

The performance began, and the actors, dressed in bright costumes, walked onto the stage in high spirits. The instruments in their hands coordinated with each other, playing cheerful and exciting music, sometimes like a galloping horse, majestic and magnificent; sometimes like a gurgling stream, gentle and melodious. The audience was attracted by the wonderful performance and burst into applause and cheers from time to time.

"This music performance is so wonderful. I've never heard such lively music before." Li Xiao said excitedly.

Lin Yifei also nodded in agreement: "Yes, this kind of traditional music is full of life and makes people feel a strong sense of local sentiment."

After watching the performance, they continued to stroll around the scenic area. There were many shops selling specialty products on the street, and the dazzling array of goods was dazzling. They walked into a shop filled with Yingxian ceramics, Yingxian paper-cuts and other specialty products.

"This Yingxian ceramics looks very good. I heard that Yingxian ceramics have a long history, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty more than 750 years ago. It has a long history and excellent craftsmanship." Li Xiao picked up a ceramic bowl and looked at it carefully. The surface of the bowl was smooth and delicate, the pattern was exquisite, the colors were bright, and it exuded a unique luster.

Zhang Yuedong introduced: "Yingxian ceramics are not only of practical value, but also of high artistic value. It is famous for its colorful glaze and exquisite detail depiction craftsmanship. Now, Yingxian has become an important ceramic production base in northern China, and its products are exported to both home and abroad."

Finally, they selected some of their favorite specialties, such as Yingxian ceramics, Yingxian purple garlic, Yingxian paper-cutting, etc., and prepared to take them back to give to their relatives and friends.

During the one-day trip in Ying County, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei felt the unique charm of the Ying County Wooden Pagoda and the local customs and practices of Ying County. This thousand-year-old wooden pagoda is not only a miracle in the history of architecture, but also the crystallization of the wisdom of the Chinese nation. With a lot of harvest and expectations for the next journey, they left Ying County and set off for the next destination.

Hukou Waterfall, the roar of the Yellow River
In the early morning, when the sky was turning pale, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei set out from the hotel early and set off for Hukou Waterfall. Along the way, they were excited and expectant, and the magnificent scene of the Yellow River Hukou Waterfall kept appearing in their minds.

"I never thought that we would be able to witness the beauty of the Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River so soon." Li Xiao looked out the window, his eyes flashing with excitement, and said excitedly.

Zhang Yuedong nodded slightly with a smile on his face: "Yes, the Yellow River is known as the mother river of the Chinese nation, and Hukou Waterfall is the soul of the Yellow River. Its majestic momentum and powerful force will surely make us unforgettable for a lifetime."

Lin Yifei kept fiddling with the camera in his hand, eager to try: "Such a spectacular view, I must take more photos to record these beautiful moments."

As the car moved forward, the mountains in the distance gradually became clearer, and the outline of the Yellow River gradually appeared in their field of vision. When they finally arrived at the Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area, a shocking force came over them. The Yellow River was roaring and rushing down from the upper reaches, and suddenly converged at the Hukou, forming a huge waterfall, like a roaring army, or a soaring dragon, magnificent and imposing.

"Wow, this is the Hukou Waterfall, so stunning!" Li Xiao couldn't help but exclaim, unwilling to take his eyes off the waterfall for a moment.

They stood on the observation deck, overlooking the waterfall, feeling the powerful impact of the water vapor. The roar of the waterfall was deafening, as if telling the vicissitudes and grandeur of the Yellow River. The river water was like a galloping horse, surging and surging, and the splashing water was tens of meters high, forming a white mist. Under the sunlight, it reflected a series of gorgeous rainbows, like a dream, beautiful beyond words.

"The momentum of this waterfall is so amazing, it is worthy of being the symbol of the Yellow River!" Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, his face filled with awe.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, standing here, I can truly feel the greatness of nature and the insignificance of human beings. The power of the Yellow River is endless."

While taking photos, Lin Yifei said, "Such a beautiful scenery, no matter how many photos I take, I can never get enough. I want to save all these photos and savor them slowly in the future."

They walked slowly along the viewing trail, enjoying the beauty of Hukou Waterfall from different angles. Sometimes, they would get close to the waterfall, feeling the coolness and stimulation of the splashing water on their faces; sometimes, they would stand on a high place, overlooking the entire waterfall and appreciating its majestic momentum. Each angle brought them different shocks and touches.

Next to the waterfall, some local residents were selling special snacks. Their stomachs began to growl, so the three decided to taste the local delicacies.

"I've heard that Linfen's beef ball noodles are very famous. I must try it today." Li Xiao said impatiently.

Soon, three bowls of steaming beef meatball noodles were served. The noodles were chewy, the beef meatballs were plump, the soup was rich and spicy, and there was a layer of red chili oil floating on top, which made people salivate. Li Xiao picked up a meatball and put it in his mouth. The meatball was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. He took a bite, and the fresh meat juice spread in his mouth instantly. The spicy taste stimulated the taste buds, making people unable to stop.

"Well, this beef meatball noodle is really as good as its reputation, it's so delicious!" Li Xiao praised it highly, saying as he ate, "This spicy taste is really satisfying, and paired with the chewy noodles and delicious meatballs, it's simply a delicacy on earth."

Zhang Yuedong also ate with gusto: "The noodles taste really good, very chewy, and the soup is also very rich, the flavor is just right."

Lin Yifei ate the noodles with big mouthfuls, saying, "This is one of the best noodles I've ever eaten. It's so spicy that I feel like I can have another bowl."

In addition to beef meatball noodles, they also tasted another Linfen specialty - oil powder rice. Oil powder rice is made from oil powder, a byproduct of mung bean vermicelli processing, and is added with millet, soybeans, mung beans, peanuts, radish strips and other ingredients. It has a slightly sour and mellow taste, rich nutrition and unique flavor.

"The taste of this rice noodle is very special. The slightly sour taste increases appetite. The ingredients in it are also very rich, and it has a layered texture when eaten." Li Xiao said after tasting the rice noodle.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, this delicacy has local characteristics and reflects the wisdom and love of life of the people of Linfen."

After lunch, they took a short break and then came to the performance square of the scenic area to watch a performance of majestic gongs and drums. The majestic gongs and drums is a folk percussion art form in Linfen area, known as "the best drum in the world". The performance began, and dozens of drummers dressed in bright clothes walked onto the stage in high spirits. Holding drumsticks, they waved their arms to their heart's content to the sound of the exciting drums, and beat out a series of soul-stirring music. The majestic momentum and the neat rhythm made people's blood boil, as if they were in a fierce battle.

"This majestic gong and drum performance is so wonderful. It makes people feel a great power and momentum." Li Xiao said excitedly.

Lin Yifei also nodded in agreement: "Yes, this kind of folk art is really great. It not only shows the spiritual outlook of the people of Linfen, but also inherits the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation." After watching the performance, they continued to stroll in the scenic area. There are many shops selling specialty products on the street, and the dazzling array of goods is dazzling. They walked into a shop filled with various Linfen specialties, such as Hongdong lotus root, Guxian walnuts, Xixian Yulu pears, etc.

"This Hongdong lotus root looks very good. I heard that it is a national geographical indication product. It has a crisp texture and is very sticky." Li Xiao picked up a lotus root and looked at it carefully.

Zhang Yuedong introduced: "Hongdong has a long history of lotus root cultivation. The lotus roots here are as white as jade, crispy and without residue, sweet in taste and rich in nutrition. And there are many ways to eat it. It can be eaten cold, cooked in soup, or fried, and it is very delicious."

Finally, they selected some specialties such as Hongdong lotus root and Guxian walnuts and prepared to take them back to give to relatives and friends.

A day at Hukou Waterfall allowed Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei to feel the majestic power of the Yellow River and the unique charm of Linfen. The beautiful scenery, food, performances and specialties here all left a deep impression on them. As the sun set, they left this land full of passion and strength with a full harvest and expectations for the next journey.

The journey ends, and we are reluctant to say goodbye

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky orange-red, like a gorgeous oil painting. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei stood on the balcony of the hotel, looking at the city they were about to say goodbye to, their hearts full of emotion.

"Time flies so fast. It feels like we just arrived in Shanxi and now we have to leave." Li Xiao sighed slightly, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Zhang Yuedong patted Li Xiao's shoulder gently and said with a smile: "Yes, but every little bit along the way has become our most precious memories."

Lin Yifei nodded in agreement: "Yes, this trip to Shanxi not only allowed us to appreciate the beautiful scenery and delicious food in various places, but also gave us a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture."

Looking back on the journey, they felt the charm of the thousand-year-old ancient architecture in Jin Temple, appreciated the profound culture of Shanxi merchants in Pingyao Ancient City, received the baptism of Buddhist culture in Wutai Mountain, marveled at the exquisite ancient sculpture art in Yungang Grottoes, witnessed the thousand-year-old miracle of standing firm in Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and felt the majestic power of the Yellow River at Hukou Waterfall. Every place left an indelible impression on them.

"The most unforgettable thing for me during this trip is the Yungang Grottoes. Those exquisite Buddha statues and murals are simply treasures of art. Each Buddha statue seems to be telling an ancient story." Li Xiao said with emotion.

Zhang Yuedong also recalled his time in Pingyao Ancient City: "Pingyao Ancient City also left a deep impression on me. Walking on the streets of the ancient city, it was as if I had traveled back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The strong historical atmosphere was really intoxicating. And the Pingyao beef and bowl holders, the taste still makes me linger on it."

Lin Yifei smiled and said: "I feel that the Buddhist culture of Mount Wutai shocked me the most. There, I felt a kind of inner peace and strength. And the incense of the Wuye Temple is so prosperous. Everyone prays with a pious heart. That scene is really touching."

They recalled every detail of their trip and shared their feelings. Before they knew it, night had fallen and the lights in the city gradually lit up, like stars.

"Okay, stop feeling sentimental. Let's go pack up the local specialties we bought. We will be returning tomorrow." Li Xiao said.

So the three of them returned to the room and took out the specialties they had bought in the past few days, including Pingyao polished lacquerware, Wutai Mountain Buddhist beads, Datong coal carvings, Yingxian ceramics, Hongdong lotus roots, Guxian walnuts, etc. Each specialty carried their beautiful memories of Shanxi.

"Take these specialties back and give them to relatives and friends, they will definitely like them very much," said Zhang Yuedong.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, let them also feel the characteristics and charm of Shanxi."

After sorting out the specialties, they washed up, lay down on the bed, and prepared to greet the new day. Although they were a little tired from the journey, they were in a particularly good mood because it was a journey full of gains and touching moments.

The next morning, the sun shone through the gaps in the curtains onto the bed. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei got up early and checked out. They dragged their suitcases out of the hotel, took one last look at the city, and then took a taxi to the airport.

At the airport, they checked in, passed security, and came to the departure hall. People were coming and going in the departure hall, and everyone had different expressions and moods. They found a seat and sat down, waiting to board the plane.

"This trip was really fun. I hope we can travel together again in the future," said Li Xiao.

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "That's for sure. Next time when we have time, we will go somewhere else and continue to explore this beautiful world."

Lin Yifei also said with anticipation: "Yes, I am already looking forward to the next trip. I wonder where we will go next time?"

They fantasized about their next travel destination, and before they knew it, it was time to board the flight. They stood up, took their luggage, and followed the crowd to the boarding gate.

When they boarded the plane, fastened their seat belts, and the plane slowly took off, they looked out the window, looked at the land of Shanxi gradually receding, and said silently in their hearts: "Goodbye, Shanxi, we will come again."

This trip to Shanxi was like a beautiful piece of music, leaving an unforgettable melody in their lives. They returned home with full memories and gains, looking forward to the next trip to open a new chapter and explore more beauty. (End of this chapter)