Chapter 419 - 9

Chapter 419: Chapter 9

They decided to visit Cangshan first. As the cable car slowly ascended, the view below grew increasingly beautiful. The mountains were shaded by lush green trees and dotted with blooming wildflowers, and they occasionally spotted small animals scurrying through the woods.

"Look, there’s a little squirrel over there," Huang Pengfei said, pointing to a tree in the distance.

Li Xiao followed his gaze and, sure enough, saw an adorable squirrel leaping between branches. "The ecosystem here is so pristine," Li Xiao remarked.

After getting off the cable car, they strolled along the mountain paths, soaking in the tranquility and beauty of nature. Cangshan had many famous sights, like Washing Horse Pool and Seven Dragon Pool. They visited each one, utterly captivated by the beautiful scenery.

"The water in this Washing Horse Pool is so clear!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, gazing at the pool.

"Legend says this is where Kublai once washed his horses," Li Xiao explained.

After touring Cangshan, they arrived at Erhai Lake. The lake was like a glittering pearl set into the landscape of Dali. Its clear, azure water created a beautiful contrast with the blue sky and white clouds above.

"Erhai Lake is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei said, standing on the shore and gazing out at the water, feeling completely at ease.

They rented bicycles and rode along the shore of Erhai Lake. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, the sun was warm, and the path was lined with beautiful scenery. Along the lakeside were many villages of the Bai Clan, their white-walled, blue-green-tiled houses brimming with ethnic charm.

"Look, those houses are gorgeous," Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the villages by the lake.

"That’s the traditional architecture of the Bai Clan. It’s very distinctive," Li Xiao replied.

After riding for a while, they stopped to rest and sample the local cuisine. Dali boasted many delicacies, such as flaky pastries, rice noodles, and the Three-Course Tea.

"Old Li, what should we eat first?" Huang Pengfei asked, looking at the food stalls lining the street.

Li Xiao thought for a moment. "Let’s start with the flaky pastries. I hear they’re a Dali specialty."

They found a stall and sat down. The owner warmly served them two portions of the flaky pastries. They were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an irresistible aroma and a delicious taste.

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

After finishing the flaky pastries, they tried the rice noodles and the Three-Course Tea. The rice noodles had a soft, chewy texture, while the tea, which symbolized the "first bitter, second sweet, and third to savor" stages of life, was truly memorable.

"The food in Dali is incredible," Huang Pengfei said contentedly.

After eating and drinking their fill, they went to a theater in Dali to watch a song and dance performance by the Bai Clan. The songs and dances of the Bai Clan were beautiful and moving. Dressed in vibrant ethnic costumes, the performers sang and danced, showcasing the passion and vitality of their people.

"This Bai Clan performance is amazing," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also deeply captivated by the performance. "These folk performances are cultural treasures of Dali," he said. "We should appreciate them and ensure they’re passed down."

After the performance, they visited a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all kinds of local products, such as tie-dyed fabrics, silverware, and Pu’er Tea.

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

Li Xiao said, "The tie-dye is very unique; we could buy a few pieces for decoration. The silverware is also nice—the craftsmanship is superb. And Pu’er Tea is a famous specialty of Yunnan, so we could bring some back to try."

They picked out a few souvenirs and returned with their hands full.

The next day, they wandered around Dali a bit more, experiencing the quiet of the early morning and the bustle of the evening. Afterward, they shouldered their packs and prepared to head to their next destination.

"Goodbye, Dali! We’ll never forget your beauty and romance," Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei said, waving farewell to the dreamlike city.

After bidding farewell to the picturesque city of Dali, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei began their journey to Chengdu. The entire way, they were filled with anticipation for their arrival.

"Old Li, Chengdu is supposed to be amazing. I hear it has tons of great food and fun things to do," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and replied, "That’s right. Chengdu is the Celestial Country and has a unique charm all its own. We can take our time and really experience its relaxed pace of life."

After a flight of several hours, they finally arrived in Chengdu. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were greeted by the city’s warmth. The air was thick with the mouth-watering aroma of hot pot.

"Wow, that hot pot smells incredible!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

They took a taxi into the city, found a hotel, and checked in. After a short rest, they eagerly set out to explore Chengdu.

Their first stop was Jinli Ancient Street. As one of Chengdu’s most iconic old streets, it was steeped in the rich cultural atmosphere of Western Sichuan. Both sides of the street were lined with quaint, traditional buildings housing a multitude of shops selling all kinds of specialty snacks, handicrafts, and souvenirs.

"This Jinli Ancient Street is so lively!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, his eyes darting from shop to shop as they walked.

"Yeah, it’s just buzzing with energy," Li Xiao replied.

On Jinli Ancient Street, they sampled a variety of local foods, like wontons in chili oil, sweet and spicy dumplings, and Dandan noodles. Each dish was unforgettable.

"The street food in Chengdu is out of this world!" Huang Pengfei said with a satisfied grin.

After their snack break, they headed to the Wuhou Temple. The temple commemorates Zhuge Liang and other heroes of the Shu Han kingdom, and it houses many priceless historical artifacts and cultural relics.

"Old Li, look at this statue of Zhuge Liang. It’s so lifelike," Huang Pengfei said, pointing it out.

"Zhuge Liang was a great statesman and military strategist. His wisdom and loyalty are truly admirable," Li Xiao said.