Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood at the exit of Hangzhou East Station, large backpacks slung over their shoulders, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation. The first stop on their tour of the Xia Kingdom was Hangzhou, a city renowned as a paradise on earth.
"Hey, Old Li, Hangzhou really lives up to its reputation. It feels like there’s poetry in the very air," Huang Pengfei remarked, stretching his arms.
Li Xiao smiled and replied, "You bet. Hangzhou has plenty of beautiful sights waiting for us. Come on, let’s go to the hotel and drop off our bags, then head straight for West Lake."
The two quickly arrived at their hotel. After dropping off their bags, they eagerly set off for West Lake. The moment they reached its shore, they were stunned by the beauty before them. The lake’s surface glittered, weeping willows swayed gently along the bank, and the distant mountains, partially veiled in mist, looked like a magnificent landscape scroll come to life.
"Whoa, West Lake is gorgeous! It’s even more beautiful than in the pictures," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.
Li Xiao nodded. "Yeah, the ancients weren’t kidding. ’If you compare West Lake to the fair maiden Xizi, she is beautiful with or without her finery.’ No matter how you look at it, West Lake is always captivating."
They strolled along the shore, admiring the scenery of the lake and mountains. They passed many other tourists along the way, all of them lost in the beauty of West Lake. After walking for a while, they arrived at the Broken Bridge.
"Old Li, is this really the Broken Bridge where Lady Bai and Xu Xian met?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.
"That’s right, this is it. Legend says Lady Bai and Xu Xian met on this very bridge, sparking their romantic love story," Li Xiao replied.
Huang Pengfei sighed. "This place is so romantic. If only I could meet my own Lady Bai here."
Li Xiao laughed and teased him, "Keep dreaming. You should just focus on the scenery."
After leaving the Broken Bridge, they came to the Bai Di causeway. Both sides were lined with peach and willow trees. In spring, when the peach blossoms bloomed and the willow branches swayed, the view was said to be breathtaking. Even though it wasn’t spring, they could still imagine how beautiful it must be.
"Old Li, it would have been amazing if we’d come here in the spring," Huang Pengfei said, a little wistfully.
"It’s fine. Every season has its own unique charm. West Lake has a different kind of beauty right now," Li Xiao reassured him.
After walking for a while, they both started to feel hungry. They decided it was time to sample some of Hangzhou’s local cuisine. They went to a restaurant called Louwailou Restaurant, which was famous for its Hangzhou-style dishes.
"Old Li, I hear the West Lake Vinegar Fish and Beggar’s Chicken at Louwailou Restaurant are amazing. We have to try them," Huang Pengfei said eagerly.
"Alright, let’s get those two, plus a few other local specialties," Li Xiao said.
Before long, all the dishes arrived. The West Lake Vinegar Fish had a glossy, reddish sheen, its meat tender and fresh with a perfect sweet and sour flavor. The Beggar’s Chicken was incredibly fragrant, the meat so tender it fell off the bone, and its taste was rich and savory. The two couldn’t stop praising the food as they ate.
"The food in Hangzhou is incredible!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed between bites.
"Yeah. Hangzhou doesn’t just have beautiful scenery; the food is unforgettable, too," Li Xiao said.
After dinner, they went to see a folk performance. The performers, dressed in historical costumes, enacted the love story of Lady Bai and Xu Xian, as well as other traditional Hangzhou folklore. The spectacular show earned round after round of applause from the audience.
"Old Li, that performance was amazing. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for Hangzhou’s culture," Huang Pengfei said.
"Exactly. These folk performances aren’t just great entertainment; they also teach us about the local culture. That’s one of the great joys of traveling," Li Xiao said.
After the performance, they stopped by a souvenir shop near West Lake. The shop was filled with all sorts of Hangzhou specialties, like West Lake Longjing Tea, silk products, and fans.
"Old Li, we should buy some souvenirs to take back. We can get some gifts for our family and friends," Huang Pengfei said.
"Good idea. West Lake Longjing Tea is one of Hangzhou’s most famous products. We can buy some for any of our friends who like tea," Li Xiao said.
The two picked out a few souvenirs and left, completely satisfied.
"Old Li, today was so packed. The scenery at West Lake, the food, the folk performance—it was all so memorable," Huang Pengfei said.
"Yeah, Hangzhou is definitely a place worth visiting. And we’ve still got more places to go to experience the beautiful sights of the Xia Kingdom," Li Xiao said.
「Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei took a high-speed train from Hangzhou, arriving at Anhui Huangshan in what felt like a flash. The moment they stepped off the train, they were enveloped by the unique atmosphere of Huangshan.」
"Whoa, Old Li, Huangshan looks incredible!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly, gazing at the rolling mountain range in the distance.
Li Xiao nodded, his eyes also full of anticipation. "Huangshan is hailed as ’the most magnificent mountain under heaven.’ We have to experience its grandeur for ourselves this time."
With their packs on their backs, the two took a bus to the foot of Huangshan. Looking up, they saw majestic peaks piercing the clouds, their slopes wreathed in mist, like a scene from a fairyland.
"This is absolutely breathtaking! I feel so small," Huang Pengfei said, his mouth agape.
Li Xiao smiled. "Come on. Let’s hurry and get tickets so we can head up the mountain."
After getting their tickets, they boarded a cable car and began their slow ascent. The magnificent scenery of Huangshan unfolded before them through the window. Strange peaks and bizarre rock formations, verdant pines and cypresses, and the sea of clouds drifting between the mountains all combined to form a perfect, breathtaking painting.