Chapter 418 - 8: Part 2

Chapter 418: Chapter 8: Part 2

They continued onward and arrived at the Golden Whip Stream. The stream’s water was so clear you could see the bottom, where fish swam about merrily. The lush trees along the banks cast their reflections in the water, creating a breathtaking scene.

"This water is so clear!" Huang Pengfei crouched down and gently swirled his hand in the stream.

"Yeah, the ecosystem here is incredible," Li Xiao said.

After walking along the Golden Whip Stream for a while, they arrived at Yuanjiajie. Yuanjiajie is one of the core scenic areas in Zhangjiajie, home to the famous Mount Hallelujah, the prototype for the floating mountains in the movie *Avatar*.

"Whoa, so this is Mount Hallelujah! It’s incredible," Huang Pengfei exclaimed, gazing up at the peak before him.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the mountain’s magnificence. "It’s like this peak fell from the sky," he said. "Truly unbelievable."

They toured Yuanjiajie for a while, taking in sights like the World’s First Bridge and the Enchanting Platform. Every single attraction left them speechless with amazement.

After touring Yuanjiajie, they were getting hungry. So, they found a restaurant near the scenic area. The local cuisine in Zhangjiajie is primarily Tujia-style, featuring dishes like *sanxiaguo*, mixed vegetables, and blood tofu.

"Old Li, what should we get?" Huang Pengfei asked, looking at the menu indecisively.

Li Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Let’s get the *sanxiaguo*. I hear it’s a local Zhangjiajie specialty."

A short while later, the *sanxiaguo* was served. The dish is made with three main ingredients, such as cured meat, tofu, and radish. The spicy and savory flavor was incredibly appetizing.

"Mmm, this is delicious!" Huang Pengfei said, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.

After finishing the *sanxiaguo*, they also tried the mixed vegetables and blood tofu. The mixed vegetables was a stir-fry of various greens, rich in nutrients. The blood tofu was made from pig’s blood and tofu, with a delicate texture.

"The food in Zhangjiajie really is something special," Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

After eating and drinking their fill, they went to a folk performance venue in Zhangjiajie to watch a show on Tujia culture. The performance included Tujia songs and dances, the Maogusi dance, and the Baishou dance. The performers, dressed in vibrant ethnic costumes, sang and danced with incredible energy.

"These Tujia songs and dances are amazing! And this Maogusi dance is so unique," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also deeply captivated by the performance. He said, "These folk performances reflect the diligence and wisdom of the Tujia people. We should really take the time to appreciate their culture."

After the show, they went to a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, like Zhangjiajie kudzu root powder, Du Zhong Tea, and Tujia cured meat.

"Old Li, what do you think we should buy to take back?" Huang Pengfei asked.

Li Xiao said, "The kudzu root powder and Du Zhong Tea are both good choices; they’re healthy. We could also get some Tujia cured meat for our families to try."

They picked out some local specialties and returned with their hands full.

The next day, they wandered around Zhangjiajie National Forest Park again, experiencing the tranquility of the morning and the liveliness of the evening. Then, they shouldered their bags and prepared to head to their next destination.

"Goodbye, Zhangjiajie! We’ll never forget your magnificent scenery," Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei said, waving farewell to this fantastical place.

After bidding farewell to the fantastical Zhangjiajie, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set off for Xi’an. Along the way, they talked endlessly about their anticipation for visiting the historic city.

"Old Li, Xi’an was the capital of thirteen dynasties! Imagine how many historical sites and stories it must have," Huang Pengfei said, his face full of anticipation.

Li Xiao nodded in response. "Exactly. Xi’an is steeped in profound history. We have to really immerse ourselves in it this time."

After a flight of several hours, they finally arrived in Xi’an. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were captivated by the city’s unique atmosphere. The ancient city walls stood tall and majestic, as if narrating tales of a glorious past.

"Whoa, this city wall is spectacular!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, excitedly running to the base of the wall and touching the ancient bricks.

Li Xiao walked over as well, remarking, "This is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall still standing in China. Come on, let’s go for a walk on top."

They bought tickets and climbed onto the city wall. Standing on top, the view was remarkably open, offering a panoramic vista of the entire Xi’an cityscape. The top of the wall was wide and flat, perfect for cycling a full loop.

"Old Li, let’s rent a couple of bikes and ride around," Huang Pengfei suggested.

"Good idea," Li Xiao readily agreed.

They rented two bicycles and began to ride along the city wall. The gentle breeze on their faces and the sunlight on their skin felt exceptionally pleasant.

"This feels amazing!" Huang Pengfei said, enjoying the surrounding scenery as he rode.

"Yeah, you can really feel the historical charm of this ancient city," Li Xiao replied.

After their ride on the city wall, they went to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an outstanding example of Buddhist architectural art from the Tang Dynasty and one of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks.

"This Big Wild Goose Pagoda is so tall!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, gazing up at it in admiration.

Li Xiao explained, "The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built to store the scriptures, Buddha statues, and relics that Master Xuanzang brought back from India. It holds significant historical value."

They entered the Big Wild Goose Pagoda scenic area and visited the pagoda, the Great Ci’en Temple, and other attractions. Inside the Great Ci’en Temple, they experienced the profound depth of Buddhist culture.

After visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, they were hungry again. So, they headed to Xi’an’s famous food street—Huimin Street. Huimin Street was bustling with activity, and the aroma of various foods filled the air.

"Old Li, what should we eat first?" Huang Pengfei asked, a bit dazzled by the endless array of snacks lining the street.

Li Xiao thought for a moment. "Let’s start with *yangrou paomo*. It’s a signature Xi’an dish."

They found a time-honored *paomo* shop and sat down. The owner enthusiastically brought them two bowls of *yangrou paomo*. The dish was fragrant, with the flatbread broken into tiny pieces and soaked in a rich lamb broth, making for a delicious meal.

"Mmm, delicious!" Huang Pengfei said, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.

After the *yangrou paomo*, they also tried *roujiamo*, *liangpi*, and Qishan Mountain savory noodles. Every dish left a lasting, delicious impression.

"The food in Xi’an is just out of this world!" Huang Pengfei said contentedly.

Once they had eaten their fill, they went to a theater in Xi’an to watch a Qinqiang opera performance. Qinqiang is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, known for its high-pitched, powerful, and emotive singing.

"This Qinqiang opera is so powerful!" Huang Pengfei was completely engrossed in the performance.

Li Xiao also nodded in approval. "Qinqiang is a cultural treasure of Xi’an. It embodies the bold and passionate spirit of the people from the Northwest."

After the show, they visited a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, including Terracotta Warriors figurines, lamb meat, and persimmon cakes.

"Old Li, what do you think we should buy to take back?" Huang Pengfei asked.

Li Xiao replied, "The Terracotta Warriors figurines would make great souvenirs. You could buy a few. The lamb and persimmon cakes are good too; we can bring some back for our families to try."

They picked out some local specialties and left with their bags full.

The next day, they visited other historical sites in Xi’an, such as Huaqing Pool and Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Warriors. These sites gave them an even deeper appreciation for Xi’an’s profound history.

"Goodbye, Xi’an! We’ll always remember your historical charm," Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei said, waving farewell to the ancient city as they prepared to head to their next destination.

After leaving the historically rich city of Xi’an, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei wasted no time heading to their next destination: Dali. Filled with longing for the "Land South of the Clouds," they set foot on this poetic land.

"Old Li, I’ve heard Dali’s scenery is absolutely gorgeous, and that Cangshan and Erhai Lake are especially intoxicating," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled in response. "That’s right. For many people, Dali has always represented poetry and a faraway dream. We have to make sure we experience it to the fullest this time."

When they arrived in Dali, the first thing that greeted their eyes was the rolling expanse of Cangshan. The mountain range stood tall and majestic, shrouded in mist and clouds, like a giant ink wash painting.

"Whoa, Cangshan is so magnificent!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t help but exclaim.