Li Xiao nodded in agreement. "That’s right. Luoyang has such a rich and colorful culture. These performances gave us a much better taste of the local customs."
After the performance, they returned to their hotel. Their trip to Luoyang today had been very rewarding, and they looked forward to exploring more of the ancient city tomorrow.
The next day, they went to Luoyang’s Peony Flower Park. Although it wasn’t the season for the peonies to be in full bloom, they could still imagine what a magnificent sight it would be.
"Great, great! Let’s get going then," Huang Pengfei said, unable to wait.
With their backpacks on, the two of them set off on a new journey once again, hoping for more surprises and rewarding experiences in Suzhou.
Full of anticipation, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in the picturesque city of Suzhou.
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Li Xiao was also captivated by the performance. "Yu Opera is one of Luoyang’s cultural treasures," he said. "We should do our best to preserve and promote it."
After the show, they went to a local souvenir shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local specialties, like Tang Sancai, Peony Flower Tea, and Luoyang Palace Lanterns.
"I heard Luoyang’s peonies are really famous. It’s a shame we’re here at the wrong time," Huang Pengfei said with regret.
After touring Zhuozheng Garden, the two went to Lion Forest. Lion Forest was famous for its unique rockery formations, which were varied in shape and resembled a maze.
"Old Li, this rockery is so much fun! It feels like we’re on an adventure," Huang Pengfei exclaimed, weaving excitedly through the formations.
Li Xiao followed along, exploring with him. "The rockeries are one of Lion Forest’s main features," he said. "They make exploring the garden a lot of fun."
After a full day of sightseeing, both of them were hungry. They decided to go try some of Suzhou’s famous cuisine. Finding a local restaurant specializing in Suzhou-style food, they ordered several signature dishes: Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Yangcheng River Crab, and shrimp stir-fried with Biluochun tea.
"Old Li, this Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish looks incredible!" Huang Pengfei said, his mouth watering as he stared at the exquisitely prepared dish.
"Suzhou’s cuisine is known for its refinement and fresh flavors," Li Xiao said. "Let’s savor it."
Once the food arrived, they dug in with gusto. The Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a perfect sweet and sour flavor. The Yangcheng River Crab was plump with rich, delicious roe, and the shrimp with Biluochun tea was light and refreshing, carrying a delicate hint of tea.
"The food in Suzhou is just incredible!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he ate.
After dinner, they went to see a Suzhou Pingtan performance. The performers, dressed in traditional attire, sang moving stories in the soft, melodic Wu dialect, immersing the audience in the cultural charm of Suzhou.
"Old Li, this Pingtan is beautiful! It’s given me a deeper appreciation for Suzhou’s culture," said Huang Pengfei.
"Exactly. Suzhou Pingtan is a traditional part of Suzhou’s culture. The melodies are beautiful and the lyrics are very poetic," Li Xiao said.
After the performance, they stopped by a souvenir shop. It was filled with all kinds of Suzhou specialties, like Su Embroidery, silk, and Biluochun Tea.
"Old Li, let’s buy some souvenirs to take back as gifts for our family and friends," Huang Pengfei suggested.
"Good idea. The Su Embroidery is exquisite. We could get some of that," said Li Xiao.
The two picked out a few souvenirs and returned to their hotel, content with their purchases.
"Old Li, today was so packed. The gardens, the food, the Pingtan... everything about Suzhou was so memorable," said Huang Pengfei.
Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei flew from Suzhou to the romantic city of Xiamen. The moment they stepped out of the airport, they were embraced by the city’s warm sea breeze and bright sunshine.
"Old Li, Xiamen feels so nice!" Huang Pengfei said, his face a picture of bliss as he took a deep breath of fresh air.
Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "Xiamen is a beautiful coastal city. It has blue skies, white clouds, turquoise seas, and sandy beaches, not to mention lots of unique food and cultural sights."
The two took a taxi to the hotel they’d booked. After dropping off their luggage, they eagerly made their way to one of Xiamen’s most iconic attractions—Gulangyu Island. They took a ferry over, and the moment they stepped ashore, they were captivated by the island’s artistic atmosphere.
"Wow, Gulangyu Island is gorgeous!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, gazing at the quaint, old-fashioned architecture and tree-lined streets.
Li Xiao was also mesmerized by the scenery. "Gulangyu Island has a unique history and cultural depth," he said. "Every building here has its own story."
They strolled through Gulangyu Island, admiring the various architectural styles. There were European-style villas, Chinese-style courtyards, and a number of creative little shops and cafés.
Li Xiao smiled reassuringly. "It’s alright, we can just imagine how beautiful it looks when the peonies are in bloom. Besides, the park itself is very pretty. We can just relax here for a bit."
They strolled through the park, admiring the various flowers and landscaping. The air was fresh and the surroundings were beautiful, putting them in an exceptionally good mood.
"This park is really nice," said Huang Pengfei. "It’s perfect for a walk and just relaxing."
Li Xiao nodded in agreement. "It is. Luoyang is a city full of history and culture, but it also has a lot of beautiful natural scenery. This has been a very rewarding trip."
Bidding farewell to the historic city of Luoyang, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in the scenic city of Chizhou. The moment they set foot in this new place, they were captivated by the fresh air and picturesque landscape.
"Old Li, Chizhou looks so poetic. I bet there are a ton of beautiful sights waiting for us," Huang Pengfei said, his face full of anticipation.