Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1800

"It's such an honor to be able to visit Mr. Shen Congwen's former residence. I've read his 'Border Town' many times, and I'm always moved by the stories in it." Li Xiao stood in front of the former residence, her eyes filled with admiration.

Zhang Yuedong also said, "Yes, Mr. Shen Congwen used his words to depict the unique charm of Fenghuang Ancient Town, allowing more people to understand this beautiful border town."

Lin Yifei looked at the exhibits in the former residence with great care: "From these manuscripts and photos, I can feel Mr. Shen Congwen's love for life and his dedication to literature."

After leaving Shen Congwen's former residence, they continued their stroll through the ancient town. Before they knew it, they arrived at the Tuojiang River. The Tuojiang River is the mother river of Fenghuang Ancient Town; its waters are crystal clear and flow gently. The wooden stilted houses along the riverbank are arranged in a charming, staggered pattern, their upturned eaves creating a picturesque scene reflected in the water. "The scenery along the Tuojiang River is truly beautiful; no wonder Mr. Shen Congwen found inspiration here," Li Xiao exclaimed, gazing at the river.

Zhang Yuedong also said, "Yes, here, time seems to slow down, and people's hearts become peaceful."

Lin Yifei playfully said, "If I could stay here for a while and look at this beautiful scenery every day, that would be wonderful."

They strolled along the path beside the Tuojiang River, admiring the scenery on both banks. Occasionally, a few small boats would glide across the water, the boatmen at the bows leisurely rowing and singing melodious folk songs, adding a touch of life and vitality to the tranquil scene. "Listen, how beautiful these folk songs are! They're full of the rich flavor of western Hunan," Zhang Yuedong said, stopping to listen quietly with his eyes closed.

Lin Yifei also smiled and said, "Yes, I feel completely intoxicated by the singing, as if I am in a paradise."

Li Xiao said, "This is the charm of Fenghuang Ancient Town. It not only has beautiful scenery, but also a unique culture and lifestyle, which makes people not want to leave once they come."

Boating on the Tuojiang River: Experience romance and tranquility
After strolling for a while, the three decided to try boating on the Tuo River. They arrived at the dock and boarded a small boat. The boatman skillfully rowed, and the boat slowly moved towards the center of the river.

A gentle breeze caressed my face on the river, bringing a touch of coolness that felt incredibly comfortable. Sunlight shone on the water, making it sparkle like countless diamonds. The stilted houses and green trees on both banks were reflected in the water, swaying with the waves, creating a dreamlike scene. "Wow, this scenery is so beautiful! Sitting on the boat, I feel like I'm traveling through a painting," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed excitedly, looking around at the scenery and taking photos incessantly.

Lin Yifei nodded in agreement: "Yes, this is even more romantic than I imagined. It's so enjoyable."

Li Xiao closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze and the flowing river: "Here, it's as if all worries have been thrown to the winds, leaving only inner peace and tranquility."

The small boat glided slowly across the river, the boatman rowing as he introduced the scenic spots and historical culture along the banks. They learned that the stilted houses along the Tuojiang River are a distinctive architectural feature of Fenghuang Ancient Town, with a history spanning hundreds of years. These stilted houses, built along the riverbanks, are both moisture-proof and well-ventilated, a testament to the wisdom of the Miao and Tujia people. "These stilted houses are not only beautiful but also very practical; I truly admire the wisdom of the ancients," Li Xiao exclaimed, looking at the stilted houses on both sides of the river.

Zhang Yuedong also said, "Yes, they have witnessed the rise and fall of Fenghuang Ancient Town and are part of the city's history."

Lin Yifei asked curiously, "Are there still people living in these stilted houses now?"

The boatman smiled and replied, "Of course there are, but many stilted houses have now been converted into guesthouses and shops for tourists to stay and shop. However, some locals still live there, preserving this ancient culture."

During their boat trip, they also saw many tourists releasing river lanterns. The colorful lanterns floated on the river, moving slowly forward like twinkling stars, a truly beautiful sight. "Let's release some lanterns too," Zhang Yuedong suggested. "I heard that if you make a wish on a lantern, it will come true."

Lin Yifei and Li Xiao both agreed. So, they asked the boatman to bring the boat ashore and bought several river lanterns. They carefully placed the lanterns in the water, then closed their eyes and made their wishes. Watching the lanterns drift away, their hearts were filled with anticipation and hope. "I hope our wishes will come true, and I hope our friendship will last forever," Li Xiao said softly, gazing at the departing lanterns.

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei nodded in agreement: "Definitely, our friendship will never change."

Culinary Temptations: The Unique Flavors of the Ancient City
After their boat trip on the Tuojiang River, the three of them were quite hungry. So, they decided to try some of the local delicacies of Fenghuang Ancient Town.

They arrived at a well-known local restaurant and ordered several signature dishes. The first dish to arrive was Phoenix Blood Duck, a traditional specialty of Phoenix Ancient Town and a staple in every household. Blood cake is made from a mixture of duck blood and glutinous rice, resulting in a soft and chewy texture. Cooked with duck meat, it not only enhances the dish's nutritional value but also enriches its flavor. "This blood duck smells so good! I can't wait to try it!" Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, his mouth watering as he looked at the dish on the table.

Lin Yifei also smiled and said, "Yes, I heard that this dish has a very unique flavor. We are in for a treat today."

Li Xiao explained, "The duck meat in this blood-cooked duck is tender, and the blood-cooked rice cake is fragrant and glutinous. When eating it, you must put the blood-cooked rice cake and duck meat into your mouth together to taste its best flavor."

As they spoke, they picked up their chopsticks, took a piece of blood-cooked duck, and put it in their mouths. "Wow, this tastes amazing! The freshness of the duck meat and the soft, glutinous texture of the blood-cooked duck are perfectly combined. It's really delicious!" Zhang Yuedong praised as he ate.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, this dish has a very rich flavor profile. The more you eat, the more fragrant it becomes, leaving you with a lingering aftertaste."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "This is a specialty of Fenghuang Ancient Town. You must try it when you come here."

Besides the blood duck, they also ordered Phoenix ginger candy. Phoenix ginger candy is a traditional snack from the Phoenix area of ​​western Hunan, made by mixing ginger juice extracted from fresh ginger with brown sugar. The candy is golden yellow in appearance, crispy in texture, sweet with a hint of spiciness, and is said to have warming, cold-dispelling, and invigorating effects. "This ginger candy looks very good; it's my first time trying it," Zhang Yuedong said, picking up a piece and putting it in his mouth.

Lin Yifei also tried a piece: "Hmm, this ginger candy has a very special flavor, with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. After eating it, I felt warm all over." Li Xiao said, "Phoenix ginger candy is not only delicious, but it also has many health benefits, making it perfect for us to eat while traveling."

While enjoying the food, they also ordered some other local specialties, such as Xiangxi rice tofu and Miao rice wine. Xiangxi rice tofu has a delicate, smooth texture and can be eaten as a snack or a main dish; Miao rice wine has a low alcohol content, is sweet and mellow without being harsh on the throat, and has a unique flavor. "This Xiangxi rice tofu is so tender and smooth! Paired with chili and pickled vegetables, it tastes absolutely amazing," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed after taking a bite.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, this Miao rice wine is also very delicious. It's sweet and not spicy at all. I can drink several cups of it."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "The food in Fenghuang Ancient Town is so abundant, each dish has its own unique flavor, making you want to eat more after you've tried it."

Folk Customs Appreciation: The Charm of Miao Culture
After enjoying the delicious food, the three decided to watch a Miao folk performance to gain a deeper understanding of Miao culture. They arrived at a folk culture performance center, where a wonderful Miao folk performance was taking place.

The performance began with the Miao drum dance. The Miao drum dance is a traditional folk dance of the Miao people, with a long history and unique artistic style. The dancers, dressed in brightly colored Miao costumes and holding drumsticks, danced gracefully to the rousing drumbeats. Their movements were powerful and vigorous, with a brisk rhythm, full of energy and passion, vividly showcasing the hospitality, bravery, and perseverance of the Miao people. "This Miao drum dance is so wonderful! The dancers' movements are so synchronized, and the drumming is so powerful!" Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, watching the performance on stage.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, from their dance, I can feel the Miao people's love for life and their inheritance of traditional culture."

Li Xiao explained, "The Miao drum dance is an important part of Miao culture. It is not only a dance, but also a way for the Miao people to express their emotions and celebrate festivals."

Next came the Miao song performance. Miao songs are songs created by the Miao people in their daily lives. The lyrics are simple, the melodies beautiful, and they possess a rich ethnic flavor. The singers, with their clear and melodious voices, sang one moving Miao song after another, their voices filled with love and longing for their hometown and loved ones. "These Miao songs are so beautiful. Although I can't understand the lyrics, I can feel the emotions contained in the songs," said Zhang Yuedong, closing his eyes and listening quietly.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, the singing is like heavenly music, it's intoxicating."

Li Xiao said, "Miao songs are a treasure of Miao culture. They record the history, life and emotions of the Miao people and are an important carrier for the inheritance of Miao culture."

During the performance, they also enjoyed wonderful programs such as the Miao people's Lusheng dance and the Dragon Relay dance. The Lusheng dance is one of the Miao people's favorite dances. The dancers hold Lusheng (a reed pipe instrument) and dance while playing it, their movements light and graceful. The Dragon Relay dance is a dance performed by the Miao people to pray for good weather and a bountiful harvest. The dancers imitate the movements of a dragon, winding their way forward with great momentum. "Both the Lusheng dance and the Dragon Relay dance are very unique, and the dancers' skills are truly superb," ​​Zhang Yuedong said excitedly, clapping and cheering.

Lin Yifei also said excitedly, "Yes, this performance has given me a deeper understanding of Miao culture, and I have benefited a lot from it."

Li Xiao said, "The Miao culture is rich and diverse. We have only experienced a part of it this time. There is still much for us to explore and discover."

Souvenirs: Cherishing the beauty of Fenghuang
On their last day in Fenghuang Ancient Town, the three decided to buy some local specialties to take home with them as a memento of their wonderful memories. Fenghuang Ancient Town offers a wide variety of local products, including Fenghuang ginger candy, Xiangxi cured meat, Miao silver ornaments, and batik.

They first visited a specialty shop, which was filled with all sorts of local products. Zhang Yuedong immediately spotted Miao silver ornaments: "These Miao silver ornaments are so beautiful, the craftsmanship is so exquisite, I want to buy some to take back as gifts for my friends."

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, Miao silver ornaments are a symbol of Miao culture and have high artistic and collectible value."

Li Xiao said, "Okay, but you should pay attention to distinguishing between genuine and fake when buying silver jewelry and choose high-quality silver jewelry."

Next, they saw batik. Batik is a traditional handicraft of the Miao ethnic group, famous for its unique patterns and colors. The patterns in batik works are mostly based on natural scenery and mythological legends, full of rich ethnic flavor. "The patterns in this batik are so unique, each one is like a story," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, looking at the batik works on display.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, I want to buy a piece of batik fabric to make clothes or decorations. They would be very beautiful."

Li Xiao said, "Watble-dyeing is a treasure of Miao culture. It not only has practical value but also high artistic value, making it very suitable as a souvenir."

Besides Miao silver ornaments and batik, they also bought some Phoenix ginger candy and Xiangxi cured pork. Phoenix ginger candy was a delicacy they had tasted in Phoenix Ancient Town; its unique flavor made them want to bring some back for their family and friends. Xiangxi cured pork, a traditional dish from the Xiangxi region, is bright red, tender, and fragrant, making it a perfect gift. "These Phoenix ginger candy and Xiangxi cured pork are delicious. I want to buy some to take home so my family can also experience the flavors of Phoenix Ancient Town," Zhang Yuedong said happily as he selected the candy and pork.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, these local specialties are very meaningful, and I hope they can bring us wonderful memories."

Li Xiao said, "Great! This trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town has been very rewarding. We not only enjoyed the beautiful scenery and delicious food, but also learned about Miao culture and bought so many local specialties."

While selecting local specialties, they also learned about the products and their production processes from the shop owners, gaining a deeper understanding of the culture of Fenghuang Ancient Town. "This trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town was truly an unforgettable experience. Everything here made me feel incredibly happy and warm," Zhang Yuedong said contentedly.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a charming place. I will come again in the future."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Okay, let's come to Fenghuang Ancient Town again next time and continue to explore this beautiful border town."

Filled with memories and local specialties, the three concluded their journey in Fenghuang Ancient Town. They left behind laughter and footprints, and took away the beauty and warmth of Fenghuang. They look forward to the next leg of their journey, continuing to explore more wonders in Hunan.