Chapter 444 - 21: Part 2

Chapter 444: Chapter 21: Part 2

"Look at these buildings. They’re so distinctive," Huang Pengfei said, pointing to a traditional Bai Clan residence.

Li Xiao explained, "The Bai Clan’s architectural style is unique, with a focus on ornamentation and detail. These buildings aren’t just places to live; they’re important vessels of Bai Clan culture."

In Xizhou Ancient Town, they also sampled local delicacies, such as flaky pastries and rice noodles.

"This flaky pastry is delicious! The outside is crispy, and the filling is soft and chewy," Huang Pengfei praised endlessly as he ate.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement. "The rice noodles have a great chewy texture, too. They’re delicious with all the different seasonings."

After exploring Xizhou Ancient Town, they continued their ride along Erhai Lake. As evening approached, they arrived at a small lakeside village and decided to stay the night.

The village guesthouse was lovely, and the owner was warm and hospitable. They sat in the courtyard, sipping local tea while admiring the beautiful view of Erhai Lake.

"Old Li, life in Dali is so relaxing," Huang Pengfei remarked with a sigh.

Li Xiao smiled. "It is. There’s none of the city’s hustle and bustle here, only peace and beauty."

「The next day,」

They went to Cangshan. After taking a cable car up the mountain, they were left breathless by the sight before them. The slopes were covered in dense vegetation and shrouded in clouds and mist, making it feel as if they had stepped into a paradise.

"Cangshan is just gorgeous," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao said, "Cangshan isn’t just scenic; it’s also home to many rare plants and animals. We can really experience the charm of nature here."

They strolled through the mountains, admiring all sorts of unusual plants and the beautiful landscape. Along the way, they met some locals who eagerly told them about the history and culture of Cangshan.

"Old Li, we’ve gotten so much out of this trip," Huang Pengfei said.

Li Xiao nodded. "We have. Every place has its own unique charm and story. We haven’t just been admiring the sights; we’ve also been learning about different cultures and customs."

After their tour of Cangshan, they went to see a folk performance by the Bai Clan. The venue was packed, and on stage, performers in traditional Bai Clan attire put on a show of songs, dances, and acrobatics.

"These performances are amazing. They’ve given us a better understanding of Bai Clan culture," Huang Pengfei said, applauding.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the show. "Folk performances are such an important window into a local culture," he mused. "Watching this, you can really feel the passion and ingenuity of the Bai people."

After the show, they headed into the streets of Dali to buy some local specialties, such as tie-dyed fabrics, silver jewelry, and Pu’er Tea.

"Old Li, look at this tie-dye! It’s beautiful. We could buy some to give to our friends back home," Huang Pengfei said, picking up a piece of the fabric.

Li Xiao took a look. "Good idea. Tie-dyeing is a traditional craft of the Bai Clan. It’s very distinctive."

They picked out a few specialty goods and put them in their backpacks.

"Well, that’s it for our tour of Dali," Li Xiao announced.

Huang Pengfei was a little disappointed. "It’s over already? I feel like I haven’t had my fill of fun yet."

Li Xiao chuckled. "Don’t worry, there are still plenty of places we haven’t been. So, where to next?"

Huang Pengfei thought for a moment. "How about Sanya? I hear the beaches there are incredible, and we can go diving."

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

Full of anticipation, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in sunny Sanya. The moment they stepped off the plane, they were greeted by the scorching sun and a humid sea breeze.

"Man, Old Li, it’s really hot in Sanya, but it feels so vibrant," Huang Pengfei said excitedly, wiping sweat from his brow.

Li Xiao nodded with a smile. "It is. Sanya is a city bursting with tropical charm. Come on, let’s head to Yalong Bay first."

The two arrived at Yalong Bay and were immediately captivated by the fine white sand and the azure water. In the distance, waves crashed against the shore with a continuous roar.

"Wow, this beach is incredible!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t wait to kick off his shoes and run toward the water.

Li Xiao followed him to the water’s edge, enjoying the cool sensation of the sea. They strolled along the beach, taking in the beautiful ocean vista.

"Look at those people on jet skis. It looks so thrilling!" Huang Pengfei said, pointing at the vehicles speeding across the water’s surface.

Li Xiao said, "We could give it a try. I bet it’d be fun."

They rented a jet ski and raced across the surface of the sea. The wind howled past their ears and sea spray splashed their faces, filling them with an exhilarating thrill.

"Old Li, this is a blast!" Huang Pengfei yelled.

Li Xiao laughed in response. "It is! This is an experience I won’t forget."

After getting their fill of the jet ski, they went diving. Once they had their gear on, they submerged into an underwater world that felt like another realm. Colorful coral and all sorts of tropical fish swam around them.

"Wow, this underwater world is breathtaking!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, amazed by the view through his diving mask.

Li Xiao was also stunned by the beautiful underwater scenery. He said softly, "Nature’s creativity is truly endless."

After the dive, they were both getting hungry.

"Come on, let’s go try some of Sanya’s food," Li Xiao said.

They found a seafood restaurant and ordered some local specialties: steamed grouper, salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp, and coconut rice. It wasn’t long before all the dishes arrived.

"Wow, this grouper is so fresh," Huang Pengfei said, putting a piece of the fish into his mouth.

Li Xiao also tried a bite of the coconut rice. "This coconut rice has a really unique flavor. You can really taste the coconut."

They chatted as they enjoyed their meal.

"The food in Sanya is unforgettable," Huang Pengfei said.

Li Xiao nodded. "It is. The food in every place has its own unique flavor. We’ve really gotten to taste a wide variety of local delicacies on this trip."

After dinner, they went to watch a folk performance by the Li Clan. The venue was packed, and on stage, performers in traditional Li Clan clothing performed songs, dances, and a bamboo pole dance.

"These performances are incredible. They’ve given us a better understanding of Li Clan culture," Huang Pengfei said as he clapped.

Li Xiao looked at some coconut candies and nodded. "These are pretty good. Coconut candy is a Sanya specialty."

They picked out some specialty goods and put them in their backpacks. By now, the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Yalong Bay looked even more beautiful and captivating in the twilight.

"Old Li, the sunsets in Sanya are just stunning," Huang Pengfei remarked, gazing at the colorful clouds on the horizon.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the view. He said softly, "It is. Every moment here is enchanting. But, we should probably start thinking about our next stop."

Huang Pengfei thought for a moment. "Why don’t we go to Guilin? I feel like we didn’t get to see nearly enough last time we were there."

"Alright, let’s head to Guilin, then," Li Xiao said.

With their backpacks on, the two set off on their journey once more. After a bit of travel, they arrived again in the picturesque city of Guilin.

As soon as they got to Guilin, they eagerly made their way to the banks of the Li River. The water was as clear as they remembered, and the peaks on either side were just as varied and distinct.

"Old Li, seeing the Li River again is just as breathtaking as the first time," Huang Pengfei said, gazing out at the river.

Li Xiao nodded with a smile. "It’s true. You can never get tired of Guilin’s scenery. This time, we can visit some of the places we missed before."

They rented a small boat and began to paddle downstream along the Li River. Along the way, they admired the beautiful scenery on both banks, soaking in the peace and beauty of nature.

"Look at that peak over there. Doesn’t it look like a reclining Buddha?" Huang Pengfei said, pointing to a mountain in the distance.