I returned to my hometown after winning the koi lottery.

A Trip to Chengdu: A Place for the Soul and a Splendor of Friendship

Stepping into Chengdu, a city full of charm and fireworks, Sister Tao, Li Fugui, the little god of wealth Zhang Tingjian, Zhang Nan, Zhang Bei, Xiao Xing and the lively little dog are full of anticipation and excitement for the unknown journey.

The air in Chengdu seems to be filled with leisure and comfort. The breeze blows gently, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and the unique smell of fireworks in the city.

Their first stop was the world-renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Early in the morning, the gentle sunlight bathed the earth, casting a golden glow across the road leading to the base. With great joy, everyone stepped into this adorable paradise. The base, shaded by verdant trees and bamboo forests, felt like a natural wonderland meticulously crafted for the pandas.

Walking along the winding path, they first arrived at the activity area for the baby pandas. They saw several furry little guys rolling and playing on the grass, their adorable appearance drawing gasps and laughter from the crowd.

A panda cub seemed to have a strong interest in the small branch next to it. It held the branch tightly with its two small paws and tried to bend it, but it sat down on the ground because it used too much force. Its funny appearance made people laugh.

Xiao Xing's eyes narrowed into slits as she smiled. She quickly used her phone to record this adorable moment: "Oh my, this little guy is so adorable! I feel like my heart is melting!"

Sister Xiao Tao stood aside, her eyes full of tenderness and love: "Look at how carefree they are, it's really enviable."

Li Fugui smiled and responded: "Perhaps this is the charm of Chengdu, it allows people to find a moment of tranquility and innocence in this fast-paced life."

Continuing deeper, they came to the habitat of adult pandas. A plump giant panda was sitting leisurely on the ground, nibbling on fresh bamboo without paying attention to the surroundings.

Its skillful movements are like those of an experienced gourmet savoring the world's delicacies.

Zhang Tingjian held up his camera, trying to capture every adorable expression of the panda: "The way this panda eats bamboo is so healing. I feel like I could watch it here all day."

Outside the panda delivery room, they saw the newly born panda babies through the glass.

Those tender little lives, like fragile little angels, lie quietly in the incubator.

The little dog seemed to feel the tranquility and peace as well, lying quietly on the side, looking at the little pandas with curious eyes.

Zhang Nan said softly, "Life is truly amazing. These red pandas are like precious gifts from nature."

After leaving the panda base, they strolled through the ancient streets of Chengdu.

The bluestone pavement of Kuanzhai Alley extends under your feet, with quaint buildings on both sides, with flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters, showing the charm of traditional western Sichuan architecture.

The alley is bustling with people, filled with a dazzling array of specialty shops, including hot pot restaurants emitting rich aromas, handicraft shops filled with exquisite Shu embroidery, and stalls selling traditional snacks made on site.

They walked into a teahouse, where the faint aroma of tea filled the air. Bamboo tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and ink paintings depicting the customs of Chengdu hung on the walls.

Everyone sat together, ordered a pot of gaiwan tea, and imitated the locals, gently opened the tea lid, smelled the rising tea fragrance, and tasted the mellow tea soup.

A tea artist dressed in traditional costume was performing tea art. Her movements were as graceful as flowing water, attracting applause and admiration from the crowd.

"Chengdu's tea culture is truly extensive and profound. Sitting in this teahouse, it feels like time has slowed down."

Li Fugui sighed. Xiao Xing smiled and replied, "Yes, this is what life should be like, away from the hustle and bustle, enjoying a moment of tranquility."

In the evening, they arrived at the banks of the Jinjiang River. The setting sun cast a shimmering light on the river, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Occasionally, a pleasure boat passed by, its oars slicing through the water, creating ripples.

The modern skyscrapers on the opposite bank form a sharp contrast with the ancient river under the reflection of the setting sun, showing the unique urban charm of Chengdu.

They strolled along the river, feeling the breeze, while the puppy ran happily ahead, stopping occasionally to sniff the flowers and plants along the roadside.

Zhang Tingjian looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him and suddenly had an inspiration: "I think I should write a poem to record the beauty of this moment." After that, he fell into deep thought, muttering to himself.

Among the many poems praising Chengdu's Jinjiang River, Du Fu's "Climbing the Tower" best embodies its historical and cultural heritage. The poem reads, "Flowers near the towering tower grieve the visitor's heart; amidst the tragedies of the world, I ascend this very spot. Springtime scenery along the Jinjiang River flows from heaven and earth; the floating clouds of the Jade Tower transform the past and present. The Northern Pole court remains unchanged; bandits from the Western Mountains must not invade. It's a pity that the emperor returns to the temple, chanting Liangfu Song at dusk."

The first couplet, "Flowers near the high tower hurt the traveler's heart, a thousand miles in trouble, I ascend this tower," indicates that the poet ascended the tower to view the scenery during a time of national calamity, setting the emotional tone for the entire poem and hinting at the Jinjiang River's witness to the turbulent times.

The second couplet, "The spring scenery of Jinjiang comes from heaven and earth, and the floating clouds of Yulei change from ancient times to the present," depicts the vastness and grandeur of the spring scenery of Jinjiang. The spring scenery of Jinjiang seems to come from between heaven and earth, giving people a strong visual impact and spiritual shock, and also contains emotions about historical changes.

As Chengdu's mother river, the Jinjiang River has witnessed the city's rise and fall, honor and disgrace. Its flowing water is like the long river of history, constantly flowing and changing, carrying the past, present and future.

The second couplet, "The imperial court of the North Pole will never change, and the bandits of the Western Mountains will not invade each other," expresses the poet's loyalty to the court and his concern for the fate of the nation from a historical perspective. It also reflects the political and social context of the time. Against this historical backdrop, the Jinjiang River became the poet's emotional sustenance and vehicle for expression.

The final couplet, "Pity the Later Lord returns to the temple, chanting Liangfu Song at dusk," expresses the poet's appreciation of historical figures and reflections on reality through his description of the temple dedicated to the Later Lord, Liu Chan. The temple, nestled on the banks of the Jin River, is a historical relic and a cultural legacy, bearing witness to the rise and fall of the Shu Han regime and reflecting Chengdu's rich historical and cultural heritage.

As night fell, the streets of Chengdu were ablaze with lights. They arrived at a bustling hot pot restaurant, where the aroma of hot, spicy food filled the air.

Everyone gathered around the hot pot, salivating at the bubbling red oil and various ingredients. The tender beef, tripe, and duck intestines were dipped in the pot for a few seconds before being placed in their mouths, their rich flavors instantly blooming on their tongues.

"This Chengdu hotpot is really as good as its reputation says. It's so delicious!" Zhang Bei said incoherently while chewing the food.

Sister Xiao Tao wiped the sweat from her forehead and said with a smile: "Although it is very spicy, it is really addictive."

During their stay in Chengdu, they also visited the Wuhou Temple, feeling the charm of history and the Three Kingdoms culture;

After visiting Wenshu Monastery and listening to the long bells in the quiet temple, my soul was baptized.

Strolling through People's Park, watching the locals leisurely practicing Tai Chi and square dancing, you can experience the daily life of Chengdu citizens.

However, good times are always short-lived. As the trip progresses, they are about to leave Chengdu and continue their journey into the unknown.

At the moment of leaving, they were filled with reluctance and nostalgia. This city not only brought them beautiful scenery and delicious food, but also allowed them to gain precious friendships and unforgettable memories.

"Chengdu, we will definitely come back!" Sister Tao said softly, looking at the city gradually receding behind her. Li Fugui held her hand tightly and nodded in agreement.

Others also looked out the window, silently bidding farewell to the city in their hearts, looking forward to the next reunion.

They knew that this trip to Chengdu would become a brilliant chapter in their lives and would be forever engraved in their hearts.