Chapter 412 - 5_2

Li Xiao picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in his mouth. "Mm, the meat is firm and the flavor is rich. Delicious!"

After finishing the cured pork ribs, they sampled other Lijiang specialties, like chickpea jelly and Naxi grilled fish. Every dish left a lasting impression.

After their meal, they went to a folk performance venue in Lijiang. A traditional dance of the Naxi Clan was being performed. The dancers, dressed in vibrant ethnic costumes, moved with graceful and energetic steps.

"What a fantastic performance!" Huang Pengfei said, clapping his hands.

"It is. This is Lijiang’s folk culture. It’s very charming," Li Xiao said.

「The next day」, they decided to go to Yulong Snow Mountain. As they rode the cable car, they slowly ascended, and the surrounding scenery grew more and more spectacular.

"Old Li, look at this snow-capped mountain! It’s absolutely stunning," Huang Pengfei exclaimed, marveling at the view outside the window.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the scenery before him. "Yulong Snow Mountain really lives up to its reputation. Its grandeur and magnificence are unforgettable."

After reaching the summit, they were surrounded by pure white snow and an azure sky.

"Wow, this place is practically a paradise on earth!" Huang Pengfei ran excitedly across the snow.

Li Xiao also took in the rare beauty. "Up here on this snowy mountain, it feels as if everything has become pure."

They stayed on the mountain for a while, fully enjoying the beautiful scenery. Then, they started their descent, ready for their next destination.

"Old Li, we got so much out of this Lijiang trip," Huang Pengfei said, carrying bags full of local specialties.

"Yeah. We didn’t just admire the quaint charm of the Ancient City and the majesty of the snow mountain; we also tasted delicious food, watched a folk performance, and bought souvenirs. Now, it’s time for our next stop," Li Xiao said.

Filled with anticipation, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in Guilin. The moment they stepped off the train, a breath of fresh air washed over them. In the distance, mountain peaks were faintly visible amidst the clouds and mist.

"Hey, Old Li, the Guilin Scenery really lives up to the hype! Look at those mountains, they’re so unique," Huang Pengfei said excitedly, pointing at the distant peaks.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "Yes, they say ’Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven.’ We have to experience it for ourselves today. Come on, let’s go see the Li River first."

When they reached the banks of the Li River, they were immediately stunned by the beauty before them. The river water was so clear you could see the bottom, winding along like a turquoise silk ribbon. The peaks on either bank had various shapes; some looked like camels, some like elephants, some like old men, and some like fairies.

"Wow, this is like a natural landscape painting!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t help but exclaim.

They boarded a tour boat and cruised slowly along the Li River. A gentle breeze brushed against their faces, bringing a pleasant coolness. As the boatman rowed, he introduced them to the sights along the way.

"Look over there," the boatman said, pointing to a peak. "That’s called Nine Horses Painting Mountain. It’s said that anyone who can spot all nine horses is exceptionally wise."

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei studied the mountain peak carefully, trying their best to find the figures of nine horses.

"Haha, I think I see three horses!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"I see a few, too, but it really takes some imagination," Li Xiao said with a laugh.

The boat continued onward, and they saw many other beautiful sights, such as the Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection and the Xingping Scenic Area. They found it hard to tear themselves away from each view.

"Old Li, the water of the Li River is so green. It’s like a giant piece of jade," Huang Pengfei remarked with a sigh of admiration.

"It is. The way the mountains and water complement each other is just beautiful," Li Xiao said.

After touring the Li River, they were getting hungry. So, they decided to go taste some of Guilin’s local cuisine.

"I’ve heard Guilin’s rice noodles are famous. Let’s go try some," Li Xiao suggested.

"Yes, yes! I’ve been wanting to try them for ages," Huang Pengfei said eagerly.

They found a local rice noodle shop, sat down, and ordered two bowls. Before long, the steaming hot noodles were served.

"Wow, that smell... it’s amazing," Huang Pengfei said, taking a deep breath.

Li Xiao picked up his chopsticks and stirred the noodles. "Come on, dig in."

Huang Pengfei lifted a mouthful of noodles to his lips and savored them. "Mmm, the noodles are smooth and chewy, and the flavor of the marinade is really rich. Delicious!"

Li Xiao also took a bite and nodded in approval. "It really is good. Guilin’s food certainly has its own unique character."

After the rice noodles, they sampled other Guilin specialties, like Beer Fish and Stuffed River Snails. Every dish left a lasting impression.

After their meal, they went to a folk performance venue in Guilin. A song and dance show of the Zhuang Clan was underway. The performers, dressed in vibrant ethnic costumes, were singing and dancing in a lively and festive atmosphere.

"What a fantastic performance!" Huang Pengfei said, clapping his hands.

"It is. This is Guilin’s folk culture. It’s very charming," Li Xiao said.

After the folk performance, they started shopping for local specialties. Guilin’s Sanhua wine, chili sauce, and fermented bean curd are all famous local products. They picked out a few things they liked, planning to bring them back as gifts for family and friends.

"Old Li, we got so much out of this Guilin trip," Huang Pengfei said, holding his full bags.

"Yeah. We didn’t just admire the beautiful scenery; we also tasted delicious food, watched a folk performance, and bought souvenirs. Now, it’s time for our next stop," Li Xiao said.

With their bags on their backs and excited looks on their faces, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in Chengdu. The moment they walked out of the station, a lively atmosphere enveloped them.

"Hey, Old Li, Chengdu is a really bustling place!" Huang Pengfei said, looking at the bustling crowds around them.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "It is. Chengdu is the Celestial Country, and it has a unique charm. Come on, let’s go check out Jinli Ancient Street first."

They arrived at Jinli, where the quaint, historic architecture and the dazzling array of food stalls made them feel as if they had traveled back in time.

"Wow, this Jinli street has so much character! Look at these handicrafts—they’re so exquisite." Huang Pengfei was captivated by a stall selling Shu embroidery.

Li Xiao also stopped to look. "Shu embroidery is a specialty of Chengdu. The needlework is delicate, and the colors are vibrant."

They strolled through Jinli, sampling all kinds of snacks. Sweet fried dough balls, "Three Big Cannons" sticky rice, Longchaoshou wontons... they couldn’t stop praising every delicacy.

"Old Li, Chengdu’s snacks are just too good! I feel like I could eat all day," Huang Pengfei said indistinctly, his mouth full of a sweet fried dough ball.

"Haha, Chengdu is the capital of cuisine. There’s plenty more delicious food waiting for us," Li Xiao said with a laugh.

After exploring Jinli, they went to Kuanzhai Alley. The Wide and Narrow Alleys each had their own character. The Wide Alley was filled with the leisurely atmosphere of old Chengdu, while the Narrow Alley was more trendy and artistic.

"Old Li, look at this building. It’s so distinctive," Huang Pengfei said, pointing to a quaint and traditional courtyard house.

"They are. These buildings have all preserved Chengdu’s traditional style. They have a lot of charm," Li Xiao said.

In Kuanzhai Alley, they also visited some traditional craft workshops, such as silversmithing and bamboo weaving. Watching the artisans’ exquisite skills, they couldn’t help but marvel at the charm of traditional culture.

After touring Kuanzhai Alley, they were hungry again. They decided to go try Chengdu’s hot pot.

"I’ve heard Chengdu hot pot is super spicy and satisfying. Let’s go give it a try," Li Xiao suggested.

"Yes, yes! I’ve been wanting to try it for ages," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

They found a hot pot restaurant and ordered a spicy and numbing broth. Soon, the pot was bubbling with bright red chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, its fragrance filling the air.

"Wow, that looks intensely spicy," Huang Pengfei said, looking a little hesitant as he stared at the peppers in the pot.

Li Xiao laughed. "Don’t be afraid. Chengdu hot pot is supposed to be spicy to be good. Here, let’s put in some tripe first."

They ate hot pot while drinking ice-cold beer, enjoying the fiery, delicious meal.

"Old Li, this hot pot is amazing! I’m almost crying from the spice," Huang Pengfei said, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Haha, that’s the charm of Chengdu hot pot. It’s addictively spicy and leaves you wanting more," Li Xiao said.

After finishing the hot pot, they went to a folk performance venue in Chengdu. A Sichuan opera face-changing performance was taking place. The performers’ exquisite skills left them completely dumbfounded.