Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Soon, the hot pot was served. A copper hot pot sat in the center of the table, the broth boiling and emitting an enticing aroma. The hot pot was packed with ingredients: tender slices of meat, fresh vegetables, smooth glass noodles, and a variety of unique seasonings.

"This hot pot looks so appetizing, I can't wait to try it," Li Xiao said, picking up her chopsticks and putting a piece of meat into the pot.

"This Ula Manchu hot pot is different from the hot pot we usually eat. Its soup base is made by simmering a rich broth, and the taste is especially delicious. Moreover, the way to eat it is also very particular. You should eat the meat first, then the vegetables, and finally drink the soup," the waiter patiently explained.

Following the waiter's recommendation, the three first sampled the tender slices of meat. The meat slices cooked quickly in the hot pot, and when dipped in the special sauce, they were tender, juicy, and had a rich, mellow flavor that left a lasting impression.

"This meat is so delicious! I've never had such fresh and delicious meat slices before," Li Xiao exclaimed.

“Yes, this seasoning is also very unique. It’s a perfect match with the sliced ​​meat,” Lin Yifei said.

Next, they sampled various vegetables and glass noodles. The vegetables, simmered in the hot pot, absorbed the savory broth and became even more delicious. The glass noodles were smooth and chewy, making them irresistible.

"This hot pot is so delicious! It not only tastes great, but it also has a lot of cultural significance," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed.

"Yes, through this hot pot meal, we have gained a deeper understanding of Manchu food culture," Li Xiao said.

While enjoying the food, they also learned a lot about Manchu customs and traditional culture from the waiters. The waiters warmly answered their questions, giving them a greater understanding and interest in this ancient ethnic group.

"This trip to Northeast China has been so worthwhile; I not only enjoyed the beautiful scenery but also tasted so many delicious foods," Lin Yifei said with satisfaction.

“That’s right, and I also made many new friends and learned about different cultures. That’s the real meaning of travel,” Zhang Yuedong said with a smile.

After finishing their hotpot meal, the three left the restaurant with a feeling of pure happiness. They strolled through the streets of JL City, soaking in the city's unique charm. JL City was brightly lit at night, with shops lining the streets filled with all sorts of unique goods, and people chatting and laughing in the alleyways, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

"JL City is truly a lovely city, with beautiful natural scenery, rich history and culture, and delicious food," Li Xiao remarked.

"Yes, the people here are very warm and hospitable, which makes you feel especially welcome," Zhang Yuedong said.

"Next, we want to go to more places and experience more wonderful things," Lin Yifei said with anticipation.

The three continued their stroll through the streets, chatting as they enjoyed the beautiful evening. They knew that many more surprises awaited them on this vast black soil.

Visit Beishan Park
On the third day, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei arrived at Beishan Park. Upon entering, they were immediately captivated by the beautiful scenery. The entire park was covered in snow, resembling a silver-clad world. In the distance, the mountains stretched endlessly, their branches bent low with snow, looking like countless white mushrooms. The temples nestled among the mountains were arranged in a harmonious and picturesque manner, their red walls and golden tiles standing out vividly against the white snow, like a beautiful ink painting.

"Wow, the snow scene in Beishan Park is absolutely stunning, it's like stepping into a fairy tale world," Li Xiao exclaimed.

"Yes, the ancient temple and the snow scene complement each other, adding to the tranquil and mysterious atmosphere," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed.

Lin Yifei had already picked up his camera and was snapping away, wanting to capture this beautiful moment forever. "Such a beautiful view, I must take more pictures to show my friends when I get back," he said excitedly.

They strolled slowly along the mountain path, admiring the beautiful scenery along the way. Crystal-clear icicles hung from the trees lining the road, shimmering with iridescent colors in the sunlight, like strings of sparkling crystals. Occasionally, a few small birds would fly past, breaking the tranquility and adding a touch of life and vibrancy to the scene.

"Look, that tower is so beautiful!" Li Xiao said, pointing to a towering tower in the distance.

“That’s the Lanyue Pavilion, one of the iconic buildings in Beishan Park. Let’s go take a look,” Zhang Yuedong suggested.

The three arrived at the Moon-Viewing Pavilion and looked up. The pavilion boasted a unique architectural style, with flying eaves, bracket sets, carved beams, and painted rafters—exquisitely crafted. The snow on the pavilion glittered in the sunlight, as if adorning it with a white crown.

"This pavilion is truly magnificent. Standing here, it feels like you can overlook the entire city," Lin Yifei said, as he walked up to the pavilion and gazed into the distance.

From the Lanyue Pavilion, the entire city of JL can be seen. The city's skyscrapers appear exceptionally serene under the blanket of snow, and the Songhua River meanders through the city like a silver ribbon, with boats gliding slowly on its surface, creating a beautiful picture.

"It's so beautiful, the scenery is truly breathtaking," Li Xiao exclaimed.

"Yes, winter in JL City really has a unique charm," Zhang Yuedong remarked.

After leaving Lanyue Pavilion, they continued their tour of the park. Along the way, they came to an ancient temple. The temple gates were tightly closed, and the copper rings on the gates looked particularly rustic against the backdrop of snow. Beside the temple walls, several red plum blossoms bloomed proudly in the snow, their red flowers contrasting sharply with the pure white snow, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter day.

"These red plum blossoms are so vibrant; they stand out so brightly against this icy and snowy landscape," Li Xiao exclaimed.

"The red plum blossoms braving the snow have been a celebrated subject for poets and writers throughout history. Their spirit of blooming alone in the face of harsh winter is truly worthy of our emulation," said Zhang Yuedong.

Lin Yifei picked up his camera and started taking pictures of the red plum blossoms. "The combination of these red plum blossoms and the snow scene is simply a beautiful picture; I have to capture it," he said excitedly.

In the park, they also saw many tourists, all of whom were attracted by the beautiful snow scenery and took photos to commemorate the occasion. Some tourists even built snowmen and had snowball fights, their laughter echoing throughout the park.

"The atmosphere here is really nice; everyone seems to be enjoying this wonderful time," Li Xiao said with a smile. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei stood at the exit of Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, taking a deep breath. The air was filled with the dry, crisp scent characteristic of northern cities, mixed with a faint smell of coal smoke—a unique mark left by the industrial era, yet also adding a touch of vibrancy to the city.

"We've finally arrived in Taiyuan!" Li Xiao waved his arms excitedly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "This time, we're going to really experience the charm of Shanxi!"

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement, a smile playing on his lips: "Of course, Taiyuan is a famous historical city with lots of fun places to visit!"

Lin Yifei couldn't wait to take out his phone and start snapping pictures of the signs outside the airport, muttering, "Let me record this first, this is the beginning of my journey."

The three of them, dragging their luggage, took a taxi to the hotel. Along the way, the scenery outside the car window flashed by: skyscrapers and old buildings intertwined, modern glass curtain walls gleaming in the sunlight, while the traditional courtyard houses with their gray bricks and tiles seemed to pull time back to the past. On the streets, pedestrians hurried along, some speaking in thick Shanxi accents, their unique dialect sounding both familiar and strange.

After arriving at the hotel and resting briefly, they went to Liuxiang in Taiyuan. This is Taiyuan's most bustling commercial street, teeming with people and bustling with activity. The antique shop signs stand side by side, creating a charming contrast with the surrounding modern shopping malls.

Li Xiao was drawn to a traditional snack shop and pulled her companion inside: "Come on, let's try some of Taiyuan's delicacies first. I've heard that the snacks here are unique."

Inside the restaurant, they ordered "Tou Nao" (a type of offal soup), "Guo You Rou" (braised pork), and knife-cut noodles. When the "Tou Nao" was served, Li Xiao looked at the soup in the bowl, which contained ingredients such as mutton, yam, and lotus root, and couldn't help but wonder: "This 'Tou Nao' looks quite special. I wonder how it tastes."

Zhang Yuedong took the first bite and praised, "Hmm, it has a mellow flavor and a faint aroma of wine. It's quite good."

Lin Yifei also tried it and nodded in agreement: "Indeed, the taste is very unique. It's the first time I've tasted food with this kind of flavor."

When the knife-cut noodles were served, their long, thin, and even noodles, thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges, paired with a rich gravy and tender slices of meat, whetted the appetites of all three. Li Xiao ate the noodles with gusto and said with satisfaction, "These knife-cut noodles are absolutely amazing! The noodles are chewy, the gravy is flavorful, they're so delicious!"

Zhang Yuedong said with a smile, "This is just the beginning; there's much more delicious food waiting for us."

After their meal, they strolled along Liuxiang Lane, soaking in its lively atmosphere. The street was lined with a dazzling array of shops, selling everything from unique handicrafts and traditional clothing to various time-honored establishments. Lin Yifei stopped in front of a paper-cutting shop, admiring the exquisite works and exclaiming, "These paper-cuts are so beautiful! Each one is so lifelike and full of artistry!"

The shop owner was a kind old man. Seeing their interest in paper cutting, he enthusiastically introduced the craft: "Shanxi paper cutting has a long history and a bold, unrestrained, simple and exaggerated style. These works are all cut by myself, and each one has its own meaning."

Li Xiao selected several paper-cuts, intending to take them back as gifts for her friends: "These paper-cuts are perfect as gifts, as they are both beautiful and meaningful."

As dusk fell, the lights of Liuxiang Lane came on one by one, making the entire street even more dazzling. The three of them found a teahouse and sat down to rest for a while. Inside the teahouse, the antique decorations and the melodious guzheng music created a relaxing atmosphere. The waiter brought over a pot of Shanxi's specialty aged vinegar tea. Li Xiao looked curiously at the tea in the cup, smelling the faint aroma of vinegar, and hesitated, "Will this vinegar tea taste good?"

Zhang Yuedong said with a smile, "Why not give it a try? Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised."

Li Xiao took a small sip carefully, and her eyes immediately lit up: "Wow, it tastes really good. It has the fragrance of tea and the richness of vinegar. It's very unique."

Lin Yifei also tried it and nodded, saying, "Indeed, this unique combination can only be tasted in Shanxi."

After resting for a while in the teahouse, the three left and continued strolling through Liuxiang. The streets were still bustling with people, a vibrant mix of shouts and laughter creating a lively symphony of everyday life. They savored the unique charm of Taiyuan, looking forward to the rest of their journey, wondering what surprises awaited them.

Exploring the ancient sites of Jinci: Awe-inspiring echoes of history

The next day, the three of them arrived at Jinci Temple. Located at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain, 25 kilometers southwest of TY city, Jinci Temple was built to commemorate Tang Shuyu, the founding ruler of the Jin State. Upon entering Jinci Temple, it felt as if one had stepped into the long river of history, with an ancient and solemn atmosphere permeating the air.

The towering ancient cypress trees blocked out the sun, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, forming golden beams of light. Li Xiao looked up at these ancient cypress trees and exclaimed, "These cypress trees must be thousands of years old. Looking at them, it feels like time has slowed down."

Zhang Yuedong nodded and said, "Yes, the Zhou Cypress in Jinci is one of the 'Three Wonders of Jinci.' It has stood for thousands of years and still stands tall. Its vitality is too strong."

While taking photos, Lin Yifei said, "The shape of this ancient cypress is so unique. Some of its branches are bent and twisted, as if telling the story of the years."

Walking along the stone path, a magnificent building comes into view—the main hall of Jinci Temple, the Hall of the Holy Mother. Facing east, the Hall of the Holy Mother features a double-eaved hip roof with flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding both solemnity and splendor. The eight wooden dragon-carved pillars in front of the hall are exquisitely crafted and lifelike, seemingly poised to take flight at any moment.

Li Xiao approached the dragon pillar, examined it carefully, and couldn't help but exclaim, "This wood carving is simply amazing! Every detail is so delicately depicted. The skills of the ancients are truly superb."

Zhang Yuedong also came over and said, "It is said that this is a relic from the Song Dynasty. It is really rare that it has been preserved so well after so many years."

Lin Yifei was busy taking pictures on the side, muttering, "Such an exquisite work of art, I must take more pictures."

Upon entering the Temple of the Holy Mother, one finds a statue of the Holy Mother Yi Jiang, adorned with a phoenix crown and a ceremonial robe, seated serenely on her throne, her expression dignified and compassionate. Surrounding her are 42 painted clay maiden statues from the Song Dynasty, each with a unique form and vivid expression; some smile, some seem lost in thought, and others appear sorrowful, as if each is telling its own story.

Li Xiao was drawn to a statue of a maidservant. The maidservant's head was slightly bowed, her hands folded in front of her, and her face bore a faint trace of sadness. Li Xiao exclaimed, "These painted sculptures are like they have life. Each one seems like a real person standing in front of me."

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, the painted sculpture art of the Song Dynasty reached a very high level. These female attendant statues are not only works of art, but also valuable materials reflecting the social life of that time." (End of this chapter)