"The food in Kunming is amazing!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he ate.
After their meal, they went to watch a folk song and dance performance. The performers, dressed in the traditional clothing of various ethnic groups, sang and danced, showcasing the rich and diverse cultures of Yunnan.
"Old Li, that performance was incredible! It gave me a much deeper understanding of Yunnan’s ethnic cultures," Huang Pengfei said.
"That’s right. These folk performances are a great way to learn about the local culture," Li Xiao said.
After the performance, they went to a specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of Kunming’s local products, like flower cakes, Pu’er Tea, and ethnic handicrafts.
"Old Li, let’s buy some local specialties to take back. We can get some gifts for our family and friends," Huang Pengfei said.
"Good idea. The flower cakes are very unique. We can get some of those," Li Xiao said.
The two of them picked out some local products and returned to their hotel, content.
"Old Li, today was so fulfilling. The scenery at Dianchi Lake, the food, and the folk performance all left a deep impression on me," Huang Pengfei said.
Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei flew from Kunming to Lanzhou. After a few hours in the air, they arrived in the city, which was filled with the unique atmosphere of the Northwest. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were captivated by its distinctive feel.
"Old Li, Lanzhou feels completely different!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly, gazing at the surrounding mountains and the wide Yellow River.
Li Xiao nodded, his eyes full of anticipation. "Lanzhou is a city the Yellow River flows right through. There are many places worth exploring here."
The two took a taxi to their hotel. After dropping off their luggage, they eagerly headed for Lanzhou’s landmark attraction—Zhongshan Bridge. Standing on the bridge, they looked down at the surging waters of the Yellow River, feeling its majestic power.
"Wow, the Yellow River is so magnificent!" Huang Pengfei said with emotion, watching the ceaselessly flowing water.
Li Xiao was also struck by the beautiful sight. He said, "Zhongshan Bridge is a historical witness to Lanzhou. It spans the Yellow River, connecting the people on both banks."
They strolled along Zhongshan Bridge, admiring the scenery on both sides of the Yellow River. Not far away, some sheepskin rafts were drifting on the water, and tourists were screaming with excitement.
"Old Li, look at those sheepskin rafts! They look so interesting!" Huang Pengfei said, pointing at them.
Li Xiao smiled and replied, "Sheepskin rafts are a traditional mode of transport in Lanzhou. Now they’ve become a tourist activity. We could give it a try, too."
They rode a sheepskin raft, drifting along the Yellow River and experiencing its turbulent waves. As the boatman rowed, he told them stories about the Yellow River and the history of Lanzhou.
"Old Li, this is so thrilling!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.
After the rafting trip, they both felt hungry. They decided to go sample some of Lanzhou’s cuisine. They found a beef noodle shop and ordered two bowls of authentic Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles.
"Old Li, these Lanzhou noodles look so tempting!" Huang Pengfei said, looking at the steaming bowls, eager to take a bite.
"Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles are a local specialty. They’re delicious," Li Xiao said.
They began to eat. The noodles were firm and smooth, the broth was rich and savory, and the beef was incredibly tender.
"The food in Lanzhou is amazing!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he ate.
After their meal, they went to watch a Lanzhou folk performance. Performers in traditional costumes showcased the city’s folk dances, music, and handicrafts. The wonderful show earned round after round of applause from the audience.
"Old Li, that performance was incredible! It gave me a much deeper understanding of Lanzhou’s culture," Huang Pengfei said.
"That’s right. These folk performances are a great way to learn about the local culture," Li Xiao said.
After the performance, they went to a specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of Lanzhou’s local products, such as Lanzhou lily bulbs, Kushui roses, and carved gourds.
"Old Li, let’s buy some local specialties to take back. We can get some gifts for our family and friends," Huang Pengfei said.
"Good idea. The Lanzhou lily bulbs are very unique. We can get some of those," Li Xiao said.
The two of them picked out some local products and returned to their hotel, content.
"Old Li, today was so fulfilling. The scenery at Zhongshan Bridge, the food, and the folk performance all left a deep impression on me," Huang Pengfei said.
Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei flew from Lanzhou to Harbin. After a few hours in the air, they arrived in the city, which had an exotic charm. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were enveloped by Harbin’s unique, icy atmosphere.
"Old Li, it’s so cold in Harbin! But it has a lot of character," Huang Pengfei said excitedly, pulling his coat tighter around himself.
Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "Harbin is a city with a unique charm, especially in winter. The ice and snow scenery is breathtaking."
The two took a taxi to their hotel. After dropping off their luggage, they eagerly headed for Harbin’s landmark attraction—Central Avenue. They walked along the stone-paved street, admiring the European-style buildings on both sides.
"Wow, these buildings are so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei took one photo after another, wanting to capture all the lovely scenery.
Li Xiao was also drawn in by the beautiful sight. He said, "Central Avenue is one of Harbin’s most distinctive streets. The architecture here is a fusion of various styles, making you feel as if you’re in Europe."
They strolled along Central Avenue, sampling various specialty snacks like Harbin red sausage, Dalieba bread, and Madier ice pops.
"Old Li, this red sausage is really good!" Huang Pengfei said, full of praise after taking a bite.
"Harbin’s food is very distinctive. These are all traditional local delicacies," Li Xiao said.
After exploring Central Avenue, the two went to the Saint Sophia Cathedral. The cathedral was grand and magnificent, its green onion dome glittering in the sunlight.
"Old Li, this cathedral is so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei said in awe, gazing up at it.
Li Xiao was also struck by the sight. "Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of Harbin’s landmarks," he said. "It has witnessed the historical changes of this city."
They took photos around the cathedral, soaking in the charm of the ancient building.
After a full day of sightseeing, they both felt hungry. They decided to try one of Harbin’s specialty dishes—Iron Pot Stew. They found an Iron Pot Stew restaurant and ordered a fish stew with some side dishes.
"Old Li, this Iron Pot Stew looks so appetizing!" Huang Pengfei said, looking at the steaming iron pot, eager to take a bite.
"Harbin’s Iron Pot Stew is very famous, and it’s delicious," Li Xiao said.
When the food was served, they feasted with great relish. The fish was tender, the side dishes were plentiful, and the unique flavor of the stew left a lasting impression.
"The food in Harbin is amazing!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he ate.
After their meal, they went to watch an ice acrobatics show. The performers executed all kinds of difficult moves on the ice, and their spectacular show earned round after round of applause from the audience.
"Old Li, that performance was incredible! It gave me a much deeper understanding of Harbin’s culture," Huang Pengfei said.
"That’s right. These performances showcase Harbin’s ice and snow culture and its artistic charm," Li Xiao said.
After the performance, they went to a specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of Harbin’s local products, like red sausage, Qiulin Kvass, and Russian Matryoshka Dolls.
"Old Li, let’s buy some local specialties to take back. We can get some gifts for our family and friends," Huang Pengfei said.
"Good idea. The red sausage is very unique. We can get some of that," Li Xiao said.
The two of them picked out some local products and returned to their hotel, content.
"Old Li, today was so fulfilling. The scenery on Central Avenue, the food, and the ice show all left a deep impression on me," Huang Pengfei said.
"Yes, Harbin is a city full of charm. Next, we’ll go to even more places and continue our tour of the Xia Kingdom," Li Xiao said.