Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1802

Lin Yifei patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be afraid, we're here with you. Just don't look down."

Li Xiao also encouraged him, "Yes, since you're already here, it would be a shame not to experience it. Believe in yourself, you can do it."

Encouraged by Li Xiao and Lin Yifei, Zhang Yuedong mustered his courage and cautiously stepped onto the glass walkway. At first, he walked very slowly, his eyes fixed on what was ahead, afraid to look down. Gradually, he grew bolder and began to appreciate the surrounding scenery. "Wow, the view from here is so beautiful! I've finally overcome my fear," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed excitedly.

Lin Yifei also smiled and said, "Yes, as long as you bravely take the first step, you will find that it is not so scary."

Li Xiao took photos to commemorate the moment, saying, "Look how beautiful this scenery is! We need to capture this wonderful moment."

Besides the glass walkway, Tianmen Mountain boasts many other attractions, such as Tianmen Cave and Tianmen Mountain Temple. Tianmen Cave is the world's highest natural through-mountain cave, standing 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep, resembling a magnificent gateway to the heavens. Arriving before Tianmen Cave, they gazed up at its enormous opening, filled with awe. "Tianmen Cave is so huge! It's truly a miracle of nature," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, standing in front of this cave entrance, I feel so small. The power of nature is truly boundless."

Li Xiao said, "It is said that there are many mysterious legends about Tianmen Cave. We can go and learn about them."

At Tianmen Mountain, they also visited Tianmen Mountain Temple, experiencing the solemnity and sanctity of Buddhist culture. The temple's architecture is simple and elegant, and the surrounding environment is serene, offering a cleansing experience for the soul. "This temple is so quiet; it makes me feel much calmer," Zhang Yuedong said softly.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, here you can temporarily forget your troubles and feel inner peace."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "That's the meaning of travel. Not only can you appreciate beautiful scenery, but you can also grow your soul."

Culinary Exploration: The Allure of Tujia Flavors
After a day of sightseeing in Zhangjiajie, the three were starving, so they decided to try some local delicacies. Zhangjiajie's cuisine is mainly Tujia style, with unique flavors that leave a lasting impression.

They arrived at a famous local restaurant and ordered several signature dishes. The first dish served was "Sanxia Guo" (Three-Ingredient Pot), a traditional dish of Zhangjiajie and a staple in every household. The original Sanxia Guo consisted of pig's stomach, intestines, and trotters, along with scallions, tomatoes, and chili peppers. With the development of the times, the modern Sanxia Guo offers more options, such as cured pork, beef tripe, sheep tripe, and pig's head meat. "This Sanxia Guo smells so good! I can't wait to try it!" Zhang Yuedong said, looking at the Sanxia Guo on the table with drooling.

Lin Yifei also said with a smile, "I heard that this Sanxia Guo has a very unique flavor. We are in for a treat today."

Li Xiao explained, "Sanxia Guo can be served in two ways: dry pot and soup pot. The dry pot is spicy and numbing, suitable for people who like strong flavors; the soup pot is slightly milder and more in line with the general public's taste. We ordered the dry pot, so you can give it a try."

As they spoke, they picked up their chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and put it in their mouths. "Wow, this tastes amazing! It's both numbing and spicy, and it's incredibly satisfying," Zhang Yuedong praised as he ate.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, the meat is stewed very well and tastes great. It's really delicious."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "This 'Three-Ingredient Pot' is a specialty of Zhangjiajie. You must try it when you come to Zhangjiajie."

Besides the "Three-Pot Dish," they also ordered rock ear stewed chicken. Rock ear is a black lichen that grows on the cliffs of Zhangjiajie. It was once a tribute item, and its harvesting is extremely difficult. Combined with climate and other factors, rock ear is scarce. Rich in trace elements and amino acids, rock ear complements the free-range chicken perfectly, resulting in a rich and fragrant flavor. "The soup of this rock ear stewed chicken is so delicious, and the chicken is so tender. It tastes amazing!" Zhang Yuedong said with satisfaction after taking a sip of the soup.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, this rock ear has a very special texture; it's smooth and chewy."

Li Xiao introduced, "Rock ear fungus is not only delicious, but also has the effect of improving eyesight and nourishing essence. It is a nutritious delicacy."

While enjoying the food, they also ordered some other local specialties, such as Tujia Hezha and Tujia Yeye Baba. Tujia Hezha is made by soaking soybeans, grinding them into powder, and then cooking them together with vegetable leaves, bean rice, and corn rice. It has a unique flavor, with the light taste of vegetables and the milky aroma of soybeans. Tujia Yeye Baba is made with glutinous rice, making it soft, chewy, and smooth, with a rich aroma from the addition of mugwort leaves. "The taste of this Tujia Hezha is very unique; I've never had it before," Zhang Yuedong said after taking a bite.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, this Tujia leaf-shaped rice cake is also very delicious. It's sweet and has the aroma of mugwort."

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

Folk Performances: The Charm of Tujia Culture
After enjoying the delicious food, the three decided to watch a Tujia folk performance to gain a deeper understanding of the charm of Tujia culture. They arrived at a folk culture performance center, where a wonderful Tujia folk performance was being staged.

The performance began with the Baishou Dance. The Baishou Dance is an ancient traditional dance of the Tujia ethnic group, integrating song, dance, music, and drama to depict the Tujia people's production, life, customs, and religious beliefs. The dancers, dressed in traditional Tujia costumes, moved gracefully and rhythmically, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles, as if telling the audience the stories of the Tujia people. "This Baishou Dance is so beautiful! The dancers' movements are so synchronized!" Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, watching the performance on stage.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, I can feel the enthusiasm and vitality of the Tujia people from their dances."

Li Xiao explained, "The Baishou Dance is the iconic dance of the Tujia ethnic group. Every year during Tujia festivals, people dance the Baishou Dance to celebrate."

Next up was the Maogusi dance. The Maogusi dance is the most primitive dance of the Tujia ethnic group, often called a "living fossil of Chinese dance." The dancers, draped in straw and wearing straw hats, imitate the movements and expressions of ancient humans, depicting scenes of hunting, fishing, and farming. Their performance is vivid and engaging, full of primitive charm, making the audience feel as if they have traveled back in time to ancient times. "This Maogusi dance is so interesting! It feels like watching a performance of primitive life," Zhang Yuedong said with a smile.

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, this kind of dance is very unique and has given us a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the Tujia people."

Li Xiao said, "The Maogusi dance is not only a dance, but also a continuation and inheritance of Tujia culture." During the performance, they also enjoyed wonderful programs such as Tujia brocade weaving and Tujia folk songs. Tujia brocade is a traditional handicraft of the Tujia people, characterized by its vibrant colors and exquisite patterns; Tujia folk songs are songs created by the Tujia people in their daily lives, with simple lyrics and beautiful melodies. "This Tujia brocade is truly beautiful; every pattern embodies the cultural essence of the Tujia people," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed, looking at the displayed Tujia brocade.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, these Tujia folk songs are also very beautiful, and they express the feelings of the Tujia people."

Li Xiao said, "Through this performance, we have gained a more comprehensive understanding of Tujia culture, which has been very beneficial."

Specialty Product Selection: Take Away Memories of Zhangjiajie
On their last day in Zhangjiajie, the three decided to buy some local specialties to take home with them as a beautiful memory of Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie boasts a rich variety of local products, including kudzu root powder, rock ear fungus, Tujia brocade, and Sangzhi white tea.

They first visited a specialty shop, which was filled with all sorts of local products. Zhang Yuedong immediately spotted kudzu root powder: "This kudzu root powder seems to be quite famous. I've heard it has many health benefits, let's buy some to take home."

Lin Yifei also said, "Yes, kudzu root powder is one of the three treasures of Zhangjiajie. It is said to be able to relieve summer heat, strengthen the stomach, and replenish qi, which is very suitable for us to eat."

Li Xiao said, "Okay, but you should be careful to distinguish between genuine and fake products when buying them, and it's best to choose legitimate products."

Next, they saw rock ear fungus. Rock ear fungus is a specialty of Zhangjiajie, growing on cliffs and difficult to harvest, hence its relatively high price. "This rock ear fungus looks very good, let's buy some, we can stew it with chicken when we get home," Zhang Yuedong said.

Lin Yifei hesitated, "Rock ear fungus is so expensive, aren't we buying a bit too much?"

Li Xiao said with a smile, "Rock ear fungus is indeed quite expensive. We can buy a little less, mainly to take it back and try it out."

Besides kudzu root powder and rock ear fungus, they also bought some Tujia brocade and Sangzhi white tea. The Tujia brocade is brightly colored and exquisitely patterned, making it a suitable decoration for the home; the Sangzhi white tea has a mellow taste and elegant aroma, making it an excellent gift. "This Tujia brocade is so beautiful! I want to buy a piece to hang in my room so I can often think of Zhangjiajie," Zhang Yuedong said happily, selecting a piece of Tujia brocade.

Lin Yifei also said, "This Sangzhi white tea tastes very good. I'll buy a few boxes to give to my family and friends."

Li Xiao said, "Great! These local specialties are very meaningful. I hope they can bring us wonderful memories."

While selecting local specialties, they also learned about the products and their production processes from the shop owners, gaining a deeper understanding of Zhangjiajie's culture. "This trip to Zhangjiajie has been incredibly rewarding. I not only enjoyed the beautiful scenery and delicious food, but I also learned about Tujia culture and bought so many local specialties," Zhang Yuedong said contentedly.

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, Zhangjiajie is truly an unforgettable place. I want to come back again in the future."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Okay, let's come to Zhangjiajie again next time and continue to explore this magical land."

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

Fenghuang Ancient Town: A Border Town in a Traditional Chinese Ink Painting

After leaving Zhangjiajie, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei embarked on their journey to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Along the way, they were filled with anticipation, imagining what this border town, described as a dreamlike paradise by Shen Congwen, would be like. "I've heard that the night view of Fenghuang Ancient Town is especially beautiful. The lights along the Tuojiang River and the stilted houses reflect each other, creating a scene like a fairyland," Zhang Yuedong said excitedly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Lin Yifei responded with longing: "Yes, and there are many ancient buildings and unique folk culture there. I must experience it properly this time."

Li Xiao said with a smile, "That's right, we can also stroll around the ancient city and look for the shadow of Cui Cui from Mr. Shen Congwen's writings."

As night fell, they finally arrived at Fenghuang Ancient Town. Upon entering, they were immediately awestruck by the night view. The stilted houses along the Tuojiang River were brightly lit, their lights reflecting on the shimmering water, creating a breathtaking scene. The streets of the ancient town were bustling with people, and various unique shops displayed their distinctive charm. "Wow, this is so beautiful! It's like stepping into a painting!" Zhang Yuedong exclaimed excitedly, eager to immerse himself in the enchanting night.

Lin Yifei kept taking pictures, wanting to preserve this beautiful moment forever: "The scenery is even more beautiful than I imagined, it's truly breathtaking."

Li Xiao took a deep breath, feeling the atmosphere of the ancient city: "Fenghuang Ancient City truly lives up to its reputation. The journey ahead is sure to be very exciting."

Strolling through the ancient city: In tracing the border town depicted by Shen Congwen

The next morning, sunlight streamed onto the ancient city walls, casting a golden glow over Fenghuang Ancient Town. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei rose early and began their stroll through the ancient town.

They walked slowly along the bluestone path, the stones beneath their feet making a crisp sound, as if telling the story of the ancient city's history. The buildings along the street were antique, with wooden doors and windows and exquisite carvings, all showcasing the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients. "These buildings are so well preserved, it feels like traveling back to ancient times," Li Xiao said, touching the buildings along the street.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, every brick and every tile bears the marks of time, making people feel the weight of history."

Lin Yifei looked around curiously: "I wonder who lives here. Their lives must be very comfortable."

As they walked, they arrived at Shen Congwen's former residence. Shen Congwen was a famous Chinese writer, whose masterpiece, "Border Town," made Fenghuang Ancient Town world-famous. The former residence is a typical Xiangxi courtyard house, displaying Shen Congwen's manuscripts, photographs, and personal belongings, allowing people to gain a deeper understanding of his life and creative journey.