Chapter 421 - 10: The Ice City

Chapter 421: Chapter 10: The Ice City

"Old Li, what should we eat first?" Huang Pengfei asked, looking at the shops along the street.

Li Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Let’s start with a seafood platter, and some Qingdao beer to go with it."

They found a beer house and sat down. The owner enthusiastically served them a seafood platter and a few bottles of Qingdao beer. The seafood was fresh and delicious, and the beer was crisp and refreshing.

"Mmm, delicious! This Qingdao beer is really something else," Huang Pengfei said, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.

After finishing the seafood, they tried other Qingdao specialty snacks, like savory crepes and grilled squid. Every snack left a lasting, wonderful impression.

"The food in Qingdao is really great," Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

After eating and drinking their fill, they went to a theater in Qingdao to watch a local folk performance. The show included the Jiaozhou Yangge Dance and Maoqiang opera, with the actors’ brilliant performances showcasing the unique regional culture of Qingdao.

"This Yangge dance is so beautiful, and this Maoqiang has so much character," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also deeply captivated by the performance. He said, "These folk performances are Qingdao’s cultural treasures. We should appreciate and preserve them."

After the show, they went to a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, such as Qingdao beer, dried seafood, and Laoshan Green Tea.

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

Li Xiao said, "We definitely have to take a few bottles of Qingdao beer back. The dried seafood is a good idea too, so our families can get a taste of Qingdao’s seafood. Laoshan Green Tea is also famous, so we can bring some back to try."

They picked out some local specialties and returned, their bags full.

The next day, they visited other attractions in Qingdao, like Laoshan Mountain and May Fourth Square. These sights gave them an even deeper appreciation for Qingdao’s charm.

"Goodbye, Qingdao! We’ll never forget your beauty and energy." Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei waved farewell to the coastal pearl, ready to head to their next destination.

After bidding farewell to the vibrant city of Qingdao, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set off on their journey to Harbin. Along the way, both were filled with curiosity and anticipation for the world of ice and snow they were about to see.

"Old Li, I’ve heard Harbin is beautiful in the winter, with ice and snow sculptures everywhere," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and replied, "That’s right. Harbin has a unique ice and snow culture. We have to experience it fully this time."

After a while, their flight finally landed in Harbin. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were enveloped by the frigid air, but their hearts were filled with excitement.

"Whoa, it’s freezing!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, pulling his winter coat tighter.

They went into the city and found a hotel to check into. After a short rest, they eagerly began their tour of Harbin.

They first made their way to Central Avenue. Central Avenue is a pedestrian street full of European charm, lined with various European-style buildings and bustling shops. The ground was paved with cobblestones, and walking on it felt like stepping back in time.

"This Central Avenue has such a great atmosphere," Huang Pengfei said as he walked, admiring the surrounding architecture.

"It does. This place is steeped in history," Li Xiao replied.

On Central Avenue, they sampled local delicacies like Hongchang sausage, Dalieba bread, and Madier popsicles. The sausage was rich and flavorful, the bread was fragrant, and the popsicle was ice-cold and refreshing.

"The food in Harbin is really great," Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

After eating, they arrived at Saint Sophia Cathedral. Saint Sophia Cathedral is a magnificent Eastern Orthodox church with a unique and imposing architectural style. The interior was exquisitely decorated; the murals and chandeliers made one feel as if they were standing in a palace of art.

"This cathedral is spectacular!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, gazing up at its dome in awe.

"Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of Harbin’s landmark buildings. It has witnessed the city’s historical changes," said Li Xiao.

After touring Saint Sophia Cathedral, they went to the Ice and Snow World. The Ice and Snow World is one of Harbin’s most iconic winter attractions. It features all kinds of ice and snow sculptures, which looked absolutely magical under the glowing lights.

"Wow, this is like a fairy tale world!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, weaving excitedly between the ice sculptures.

They admired the masterpieces created by the ice artists—castles, animals, figures, and more. Every single piece was incredibly lifelike.

"These ice sculptures are incredible!" Li Xiao was also stunned by the exquisite works of art.

At the Ice and Snow World, they also tried out ice skating, skiing, and other winter activities, having an absolute blast.

After their tour of the Ice and Snow World, they were hungry again. So, they found a Northeast-style restaurant and sampled some of the region’s specialty dishes, like Guo Bao Rou, Di San Xian, and chicken stewed with mushrooms.

"This Northeast cuisine is delicious," Huang Pengfei said, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.

After eating and drinking their fill, they went to a theater in Harbin to watch a spectacular Russian song and dance performance. The performers, dressed in magnificent costumes, sang and danced, showcasing the cultural charm of Russia.

"That performance was amazing," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the performance. He said, "Harbin is right next to Russia, so it has a very strong Russian cultural atmosphere."

After the show, they went to a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, such as Hongchang sausage, wood ear mushrooms, and hazelnuts.

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

Li Xiao said, "We should definitely take some Hongchang sausage back. The wood ear mushrooms and hazelnuts are good choices too, so our families can try them."