Chapter 441 - 20: Chengdu and Xi’an

Chapter 441: Chapter 20: Chengdu and Xi’an

"Alright, that concludes our tour of Zhangjiajie," Li Xiao said.

Huang Pengfei was a little wistful. "It’s over already? I’m not done having fun yet."

Li Xiao smiled. "Don’t worry, we still have plenty of places to go. So, where to next?"

Huang Pengfei thought for a moment. "How about we go to Chengdu? I’ve heard it has a ton of great food and fun things to do."

"Sounds good. Let’s head to Chengdu, then," Li Xiao said.

After a bit of travel, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in the incredibly lively city of Chengdu. The moment they set foot in the city, they were hit by its vibrant, bustling energy.

"Hey, Old Li, this place is really hopping!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, looking around excitedly at the bustling crowds on the streets.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "It is. Chengdu is a city full of charm. Come on, let’s go check out the Wuhou Temple first."

The two arrived at the Wuhou Temple, where the quaint, ancient architecture exuded a historical charm. They strolled through the courtyards, feeling the profound weight of the Three Kingdoms era’s culture.

"Old Li, just how incredible must Zhuge Liang have been to be so revered by later generations," Huang Pengfei remarked, gazing at the statue of Zhuge Liang.

Li Xiao responded, "Zhuge Liang was resourceful and brilliant. He dedicated his entire life to the Shu Han kingdom, and his wisdom and loyalty are truly admirable."

After leaving the Wuhou Temple, they headed to Jinli Ancient Street. The old street was bustling with people, a scene of lively activity. The aroma of various specialty snacks filled the air, making their mouths water.

"Whoa, this Jinli street has such an amazing vibe," Huang Pengfei said, thrilled as he looked at the old buildings and the dazzling array of goods along the street.

Li Xiao chuckled. "It’s not just food; there are also many traditional handicrafts. We can eat while we walk around."

In Jinli, they sampled Chengdu’s specialty snacks, like Dragon Wontons, Zhong’s Dumplings, and Dan Dan Noodles.

"These Dragon Wontons are so savory, and the broth is delicious too," Huang Pengfei praised endlessly as he ate.

Li Xiao picked up one of Zhong’s Dumplings and popped it into his mouth. "Mm, these are great too. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy."

After finishing their snacks, they continued to wander through the old street. The handicraft shops along the way caught their eyes.

"Old Li, look at this Shu embroidery. It’s beautiful," Huang Pengfei said, picking up an embroidered handkerchief.

Li Xiao took a closer look and nodded. "It really is. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery is exquisite. We could buy some as souvenirs."

They picked out some pieces of Shu embroidery and other handicrafts, stowing them in their backpacks.

After they finished exploring Jinli, the two went to see a Sichuan opera performance. On stage, actors in ornate costumes performed incredible feats like face-changing and fire-spitting.

"Whoa, that face-changing is incredible!" Huang Pengfei’s eyes widened in amazement.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the spectacular performance. He remarked, "Sichuan opera is one of Chengdu’s traditional cultural treasures. These performances are truly a marvel to behold."

After the performance, they took to the streets of Chengdu to experience the city’s nightlife. The bars and restaurants along the road were brightly lit, filled with people indulging in delicious food and good times.

"Chengdu is such a vibrant city," Huang Pengfei said.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement. "Yeah, people here really know how to enjoy life. The whole atmosphere is very relaxing."

「The next day.」

They went to Kuanzhai Alley. It’s composed of Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley, and each one has its own unique character.

"Old Li, look. Wide Alley and Narrow Alley have completely different styles," Huang Pengfei commented as they walked.

Li Xiao replied, "Wide Alley is livelier, with a lot of restaurants and teahouses. Narrow Alley is more artistic, with more handicraft shops and cafes."

In Kuanzhai Alley, they tried more of Chengdu’s signature dishes, like hot pot and spicy skewers.

"This hot pot is insanely spicy, but it’s so addictive," Huang Pengfei said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Li Xiao smiled. "Chengdu hot pot is famous for its spice, but it really is delicious. A bowl of ice jelly after the hot pot would be the perfect finish."

After their meal, they bought some of Chengdu’s local specialties in the alleys, like Pixian Broad-bean Paste, hot pot base, and Zhuyeqing tea.

"Alright, that wraps up our tour of Chengdu," Li Xiao said.

Huang Pengfei was a little wistful. "It’s over already? I’m not done having fun yet."

Li Xiao smiled. "Don’t worry, we still have plenty of places to go. So, where to next?"

Huang Pengfei thought for a moment. "How about we go to Xi’an? I’ve heard it has a lot of historical sites."

"Sounds good. Let’s head to Xi’an, then," Li Xiao said.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived, full of anticipation, in the ancient capital Xi’an, a city steeped in history. The moment they stepped out of the station, they were captivated by the city’s unique atmosphere.

"Old Li, you can just feel the profound weight of history in Xi’an!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly, gazing at the ancient-style buildings all around them.

Li Xiao nodded. "That’s right. Xi’an was the capital for thirteen dynasties and has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Come on, let’s go see the Terracotta Warriors first."

The two took a bus to the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Warriors Museum. Just standing at the entrance, they could already feel the breathtaking scale of the place.

Walking into Pit No. 1, they were stunned by the sight before them. Thousands upon thousands of terracotta figures stood in neat rows, as if recounting the glorious history of more than two thousand years ago.

"Oh my god, this is absolutely spectacular!" Huang Pengfei’s eyes were wide, his jaw hanging open.

Li Xiao was also stunned by the magnificent scene. He said softly, "These Terracotta Warriors are so lifelike, and every detail is exquisitely carved. It’s truly hard to imagine how the people of ancient times could have created such a wonder."