Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1568 22.

Li Xiao stood in front of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, looking at the towering city walls, and felt an inexplicable excitement in his heart. His friend Huang Pengfei patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Brother Xiao, have we traveled through time? The grandeur of this Forbidden City is really shocking!"

  Li Xiao nodded with a smile on his face: "Pengfei, you are right. This Forbidden City was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. It has witnessed many historical events."

The two walked through the Meridian Gate and slowly moved forward along the central axis. The sunlight shone through the ancient pines and cypresses, and sprinkled on the mottled stone road, as if telling a thousand-year-old story.

"Brother Xiao, look at the Hall of Supreme Harmony over there. I heard that it's where the emperor holds grand ceremonies." Huang Pengfei pointed to the magnificent building in front of him, with curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the center of the Forbidden City and one of the most spectacular buildings." Li Xiao explained as he walked, "Come on, let's go in and take a look."

The two walked into the Hall of Supreme Harmony and were shocked by the magnificent decoration. Huang Pengfei couldn't help but exclaimed: "This golden dragon throne is so domineering!"

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, but don't sit down, or you'll be mistaken for a traitor."

The two stayed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a long time, and then visited the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union and Peace, and other famous attractions. Every step they took, they could feel the weight of history.

"Brother Xiao, I'm hungry. Should we go eat something?" Huang Pengfei touched his stomach with an expectant look on his face.

"That's a good idea. I know there's a time-honored Beijing roast duck restaurant nearby. Let's go try it," Li Xiao suggested.

The two left the Forbidden City and came to the roast duck restaurant. The aroma filled the restaurant, making people salivate. They ordered a table of sumptuous dishes, including roast duck, noodles with soybean paste, bean juice and other Beijing specialties.

"This roast duck is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it tastes amazing!" Huang Pengfei ate with relish and praised it highly.

"Yes, the roast duck here is a specialty. You should eat more." Li Xiao also ate with gusto.

After dinner, the two strolled in the nearby alleys, admiring the local customs and customs of Old BJ. They also watched a wonderful Peking Opera performance and felt the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

"Brother Xiao, I had a really great day today. Not only did we visit the Forbidden City, but we also tasted delicious food and watched Peking Opera," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"Yes, this is the fun of traveling." Li Xiao said with a smile, "Tomorrow, let's go to the Great Wall and experience the feeling of 'If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a true man.'"

The next morning, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei got up early and prepared to go to the Great Wall. They took the subway to the entrance of Badaling Great Wall.

"Brother Xiao, this Great Wall is so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei stood at the foot of the Great Wall, looking up at the winding and undulating walls, and exclaimed.

"Yes, this is a world cultural heritage and also an ancient Chinese military defense project." Li Xiao said as he started climbing.

The two walked up the wall step by step, admiring the surrounding mountain scenery along the way. The bricks and stones of the Great Wall looked particularly ancient and mysterious under the sunlight.

"Brother Xiao, look at the beacon tower over there. Was it used to transmit military intelligence in ancient times?" Huang Pengfei asked, pointing to a high platform not far away.

"Yes, beacon towers were important facilities used to transmit military information in ancient times." Li Xiao explained, "Once there was an enemy situation, the soldiers would light the beacon fire to notify other beacon towers."

They continued to move forward, stopping from time to time to take photos. Every corner of the Great Wall was like a beautiful painting, making people linger.

"Brother Xiao, I'm a little tired. Let's take a break." Huang Pengfei sat on the city wall, panting.

"Okay, let's rest here for a while." Li Xiao also sat down and the two began to chat.

"You know, the Great Wall is not only the pride of China, but also the precious wealth of the people of the world," Li Xiao said with emotion.

"Yes, I heard that many foreign tourists come here to visit every year," Huang Pengfei responded.

After resting, the two continued to move forward and finally reached Hero's Slope. Standing on Hero's Slope, they overlooked the Great Wall below and felt a sense of accomplishment.

"Brother Xiao, are we also considered heroes?" Huang Pengfei asked with a smile.

"Of course, we not only walked the Great Wall, but also appreciated its magnificence," Li Xiao said proudly.

After coming down the mountain, they tasted local farm dishes at a nearby farmhouse, and were full of praise for the fresh vegetables and authentic farm cooking methods.

"These farm dishes are so delicious, even better than those in restaurants in the city," Huang Pengfei said while eating.

"Yes, the ingredients here are all fresh, so the taste is naturally good." Li Xiao also nodded with satisfaction.

After the meal, they also bought some local specialties, such as Great Wall souvenirs and some handicrafts.

"Brother Xiao, we have gained a lot today." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction as he looked at the specialty in his hand.

"Yes, that's what traveling is all about. Not only seeing the scenery, but also experiencing the local culture and life." Li Xiao said with a smile.

"Then where is our next stop?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

"Next stop, we'll go to Xi'an to see the mystery of the Terracotta Warriors." Li Xiao smiled mysteriously.

The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for the next stop.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood at the entrance of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, their hearts full of anticipation.

"Brother Xiao, the Terracotta Warriors are the eighth wonder of the world!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"Yes, these are the burial objects of Qin Shihuang, representing the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sculpture art." Li Xiao said as he led Huang Pengfei into the museum.

They first came to Pit No. 1, where they saw rows of neatly arranged terracotta warriors in various shapes and lifelike appearance.

"Brother Xiao, look at these terracotta warriors. Each one has a different expression. It's amazing!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

"Yes, these terracotta warriors are made in life-size, and each has different facial features and expressions," Li Xiao explained. "This shows the superb skills of ancient craftsmen."

The two stopped for a long time in front of Pit No. 1, and then visited Pit No. 2 and Pit No. 3. Each pit brought them different shocks.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that these Terracotta Warriors were colorful when they were first unearthed?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

"Yes, but the color faded quickly due to oxidation," Li Xiao replied. "That's why the Terracotta Warriors we see now are all earthy gray."

After visiting the Terracotta Warriors, the two bought some replicas of the Terracotta Warriors as souvenirs in the museum's souvenir shop.

"Brother Xiao, these Terracotta Warriors are so cool. I want to buy a few and give them to my friends." Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"Good idea! This is a unique gift." Li Xiao also picked out a few.

Afterwards, they came to the Muslim Street in Xi'an and tasted the local specialties. They were very satisfied with the delicious food such as Roujiamo, Liangpi, and Yangroupaomo. "This Roujiamo is really delicious, the meat is fragrant but not greasy, and the bun is soft but not mushy." Huang Pengfei praised while eating.

"Yes, the snacks here are all authentic Xi'an flavor." Li Xiao also ate with gusto.

After dinner, they also watched a Qinqiang performance. The high-pitched and passionate singing and lively performance made them feel the profound heritage of Shaanxi culture.

"Brother Xiao, this Qinqiang is so shocking, the sound goes straight to the sky." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

"Yes, Qinqiang is one of the oldest Chinese operas and has a long history," Li Xiao responded.

After the day's trip, the two reviewed what they had seen and heard that day in the hotel room.

"Brother Xiao, today was so wonderful. The mystery of the Terracotta Warriors, the delicious food in Muslim Street, and the shock of Qinqiang Opera, each one of them left a deep impression on me." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

"Yes, that's what traveling is all about, constant exploration and experience." Li Xiao said with a smile, "Tomorrow, we'll go to Chengdu to see the pandas and hotpot there."

The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for the next stop.

Chengdu, a leisurely city, is famous for its unique culture and cuisine. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early in the morning, looking forward to close contact with the national treasure giant pandas.

"Brother Xiao, look at the red pandas over there, they are eating bamboo!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly, pointing at the panda cubs not far away.

"Yes, giant pandas mainly feed on bamboo, and they eat a lot of bamboo every day." Li Xiao explained with a smile, "Let's go and take a look."

The two approached the panda park and saw several giant pandas sitting or lying, chewing bamboo leisurely. Their naive appearance made people laugh.

"Brother Xiao, the way they eat bamboo is so cute!" Huang Pengfei couldn't help but take out his mobile phone to take pictures.

"Indeed, giant pandas are an endangered species listed by the World Conservation Union and are also China's national treasure," Li Xiao said with emotion. "We must protect them well."

After visiting the panda park, the two picked up some panda dolls and key chains as souvenirs in the base's souvenir shop.

"Brother Xiao, these panda dolls are so cute. I want to take a few back." Huang Pengfei touched the dolls lovingly.

"Good idea! These are Chengdu's specialties." Li Xiao also picked a few.

Afterwards, they came to the Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu and tasted the local specialties, such as Chuanchuanxiang, Longchao Shou, Dandan Noodles, etc., which made them enjoy a feast.

"This skewers of fried dough is really spicy, but it feels so spicy!" Huang Pengfei said while wiping the sweat off his face.

"Yes, Chengdu snacks are famous for being spicy, but they are also very fragrant." Li Xiao also ate with gusto.

After the meal, they also watched a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance, which amazed them.

"Brother Xiao, this face changing is so amazing. I didn't even see clearly how he changed it." Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"Yes, Sichuan Opera face-changing is a treasure of Chinese opera and has a long history," Li Xiao responded.

After the day's trip, the two reviewed what they had seen and heard that day in the hotel room.

"Brother Xiao, today was so wonderful. The cuteness of the giant pandas, the delicious food in Kuanzhai Alley, and the magic of Sichuan Opera face-changing, each one of them left a deep impression on me." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

"Yes, that's what traveling is all about, constant exploration and experience." Li Xiao said with a smile, "Tomorrow, we'll go to Hangzhou to see the beautiful scenery of West Lake."

The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for the next stop.

Hangzhou, a city known as a paradise on earth, is famous for its beautiful West Lake. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived at the West Lake early in the morning, ready to start their tour.

"Brother Xiao, look at the water in West Lake, it's so clear!" Huang Pengfei stood by the lake, looking at the sparkling lake surface, and exclaimed.

"Yes, West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou, a famous historical and cultural city in China, and it is also a world cultural heritage." Li Xiao said as he led Huang Pengfei for a walk along the lakeshore.

They first came to Su Causeway, which was built by the great writer Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty when he was an official in Hangzhou. Su Causeway Spring Dawn is one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake. In spring, Su Causeway is shaded by willow trees and peach blossoms are in full bloom, which is beautiful beyond words.

"Brother Xiao, look at the willow trees over there, swaying in the wind, they are so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei pointed at the willow trees by the lake and exclaimed in admiration.

"Yes, the willow trees and peach blossoms on Su Causeway are a major feature of West Lake." Li Xiao said with a smile, "Let's go take a boat and enjoy the beauty of West Lake up close."

The two rented a small boat and rowed to the center of the lake. The lake was sparkling, and the Leifeng Pagoda and the Broken Bridge in the distance were looming, like a moving picture.

"Brother Xiao, the scenery of West Lake is so beautiful. I feel like I am swimming in a painting." Huang Pengfei said intoxicatedly.

"Yes, the beautiful scenery of West Lake has attracted countless literati and poets since ancient times," Li Xiao responded.

After touring the West Lake, the two tasted Hangzhou Longjing tea in a teahouse by the lake. The fragrance of tea filled the air and made people feel relaxed and happy.

"This Longjing tea is so fragrant. After taking a sip, I feel refreshed." Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

"Yes, Longjing tea from Hangzhou is one of the top ten famous teas in China and has a long history." Li Xiao also took a sip of the tea and found it very memorable.

Afterwards, they visited the silk market and bought some silk products as souvenirs.

"Brother Xiao, this silk is so smooth and feels so good." Huang Pengfei touched the silk in his hand and couldn't let it go.

"Yes, Hangzhou silk is also one of China's traditional specialties." Li Xiao also picked out a few pieces.

After the day's trip, the two reviewed what they had seen and heard that day in the hotel room.

"Brother Xiao, today was so wonderful. The beautiful scenery of West Lake, the fragrance of Longjing tea, and the smoothness of silk, each one of them impressed me." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

"Yes, that's what traveling is all about, constant exploration and experience." Li Xiao said with a smile, "Tomorrow, we'll go to Guilin to see the mountains and rivers there."

  The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for the next stop.
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Guilin, a city known for its beautiful mountains and rivers, is famous for its unique karst landforms and the clear waters of the Li River. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived at the Li River early in the morning, ready to start their tour.

"Brother Xiao, look at the water of the Li River, it's so clear!" Huang Pengfei stood by the river, looking at the rippling green water, and exclaimed.

"Yes, the water of the Li River is crystal clear, and the mountains on both sides are of various shapes." Li Xiao said as he led Huang Pengfei onto the cruise ship.