"Brother Su, where are you planning on going today? Need to whip up a quick guide for you?"
Su Chen had just co downstairs when he ran into Boss Yu watering plants in the courtyard.
"I was just wondering where to go today. A guide from you, Boss Yu... that would save a lot of trouble!"
Hearing this, Boss Yu imdiately put down his watering can and led Su Chen to the common lounge area.
Boss Yu produced a water bottle from sowhere, the kind people used back in their school days.
"Here, try my homade milk tea. I’m not sure if it’s to your liking!"
It was a large, full cup, still steaming.
He blew on it gently and took a small sip. The aroma of tea and milk filled his mouth, compelling him to take a few more gulps.
"Boss Yu, this milk tea is amazing! You must have put a lot of effort into this!"
Boss Yu chuckled at his words. "Brother Su, to be honest... it really didn’t take much effort. The ingredients are all local to Lijiang, but I go to the source to pick them up myself!"
Su Chen understood. Yunnan Province was a major tea-producing province, and many famous teas originated from there.
"I wonder if you have any extra, Boss Yu. Think you could spare so for before I leave?"
"Hahaha! That’s a small thing. All that matters is that you have a good ti in Lijiang, Brother Su!" Boss Yu bead.
After all, it was a happy thing to have his homade milk tea be so well-liked.
During their chat, an inn employee brought out several of Lijiang’s specialty breakfast dishes. Paired with the milk tea... it was simply delicious.
Once they had both nearly finished eating, Boss Yu got down to business. "Brother Su, are you just planning to wander around the ancient town, or do you want to head toward Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?"
"Is there so distinction between them?" Su Chen asked, looking at Boss Yu with so confusion.
"It’s not a huge deal, but if you go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it’s not just about climbing the mountain. There are several other worthwhile spots nearby, and they’re all conveniently on the sa route. You can spend a day and hit them all!"
"If you’re just going to explore Lijiang Ancient Town, I strongly suggest you check out Mu Mansion. It’s considered Lijiang’s version of the Forbidden City and is a must-see for understanding Naxi Culture!"
’Mountain climbing...’ Su Chen wasn’t very interested. ’It feels like paying for misery, and I’d have to worry about altitude sickness and all that. I’m not looking to make myself suffer.’
’Vacations are for having fun, not torturing yourself.’
’I can skip the mountain, but those other spots Boss Yu ntioned are worth a look.’
Su Chen asked for more details. Places like Baisha Ancient Town, the Lijiang Romance Park, and Lugu Lake were all worth visiting.
The two chatted for a while longer, and Boss Yu laid out a rough itinerary for him.
The first stop was Mu Mansion. It was, after all, located right inside Lijiang Ancient Town, making it the closest attraction to where Su Chen was.
The second stop would be the Lijiang Romance Park. You pretty much had to stay until evening to see everything it had to offer.
In the afternoon, the park featured various performances, and at night, you could even join in on a specialty of Yunnan Province—the Datiao folk dance!
After leaving the inn, Su Chen headed straight for Mu Mansion.
The inn wasn’t far from Mu Mansion; he could even see it from his bedroom. But as Su Chen started walking toward it, he finally understood the old saying: "A mountain in sight can run a horse to death."
After walking for almost half an hour, Su Chen finally arrived at Mu Mansion.
Lijiang Ancient Town by day was a completely different scene.
There was hardly anyone around!!!
This surprised Su Chen. When he had gone out the previous night, the ancient town was incredibly crowded; every single street had been packed with tourists.
On his way there, Su Chen hadn’t seen many people, and most of those he did see were elderly folks on group tours.
’It seems most people who co to Lijiang are here for its enchanting nightlife!’
"Need a temporary tour guide? Only 10 yuan!"
Su Chen was just about to enter when he heard a male tour guide nearby shouting loudly while holding up a flag.
The guide had a dark complexion and wasn’t very tall. He wore a Tang-style suit and light-colored sunglasses, occasionally exchanging a few words with the people beside him.
Seeing a decent number of people gathering around the guide, Su Chen’s interest was piqued. ’After all, for a place with as much cultural depth as Mu Mansion, the average person wouldn’t really understand what they’re seeing without an explanation!’
"Guide, I’d like to join!" Su Chen said, striding over without hesitation.
"That’ll be 10 yuan, please!"
The guide presented a QR code, and Su Chen promptly scanned it to pay the ten yuan.
After a short wait, a few more individual tourists joined, bringing the group to a total of about twenty people.
"Hello, everyone. I’m your guide, Xiaohei. Now, please follow my lead and let’s go experience the splendors of Mu Mansion!"
The guide, Xiaohei, raised his flag and gave it a wave, then led the group inside.
Upon entering Mu Mansion, the first thing they saw was a huge plaza.
"This plaza you’re looking at was the old parade ground. Back in the day, this is where the troops would gather for war!"
After a quick look around the plaza, Xiaohei led them toward another building.
"The Council Hall!"
Xiaohei stopped in front of the Council Hall.
"Do you all see the three plaques under the eaves?"
"The three plaques all bear the sa four words: ’Loyally Serve The Nation’! They were bestowed by three emperors of the Ming Dynasty: Emperor Hongwu, the Ming Cheng Emperor, and Emperor Jiajing. If you’re interested, you can look up the specifics online!"
Su Chen took a few photos with his phone. ’I’m on vacation, after all. It would be a waste not to take so pictures!’
A single Tusi Mansion tells half the history of a people. This place wasn’t just a scenic area; it was also the Lijiang Ancient Town Museum. It showcased the entire evolution of Naxi Culture and chronicled the changes of the past several hundred years.
He had heard the saying, "The Forbidden City in the north, the Mu Mansion in the south." After completing the tour, Su Chen felt like he hadn’t had his fill.
Especially when standing on the highest pavilion of Mu Mansion... he could gaze out at the entirety of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and look down upon all of Lijiang Ancient Town. It gave him the feeling of being the master of all he surveyed, as if he owned the entire ancient town.
It was almost noon by the ti Su Chen left Mu Mansion, and after all that walking, his stomach was growling.
"I wonder if this restaurant Boss Yu recomnded is any good," Su Chen muttered, rubbing his famished stomach. "If it’s not, I’m definitely having a word with him when I get back!"
As he was heading out, Boss Yu had given this place a special recomndation, saying it was so good it would leave him speechless.
After walking for ten minutes or so, Su Chen found himself outside the ancient town’s boundaries, and only then did he spot the restaurant’s sign.
"Lijiang Cured Pork Ribs!"
There were actually many well-known cured pork rib restaurants inside the ancient town, but Boss Yu had insisted he go to one outside, claiming the flavor was better and more authentic.
Maybe because it was the middle of the day, the restaurant wasn’t very crowded. Su Chen found a window seat and ordered the signature cured pork rib and cured ham hot pot, along with a few side dishes.
This way, he could enjoy his al while taking in the view of the ancient town.
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