Food Stall: Customers Chase Me across the Country

Chapter 606 - 573: After Visiting Jiuzhaigou, No Other Waters Compare

After visiting Wuhou Temple, it wasn’t much different from typical temples and shrines—grand, magnificent, dignified. It’s easy to see from the incense offerings how much the people love Marquis Wu.

However, the Zhaolie Temple only contains the tomb of Emperor Liu Bei of the Han Dynasty, while the tomb of Marquis Wu Zhuge Liang is in Hanzhong, Shaanxi.

After this, Wang Fan didn’t visit any more attractions. Instead, he found a quiet and relatively safe place, parked the car, and started researching Sichuan Cuisine.

Some attractions are fine to visit alone, but others, like Jiuzhaigou, which is considered one of Huaxia’s top-tier attractions, are better shared with someone. Walking through it alone always feels a bit empty.

Coincidentally, it’s close to National Day, and in a couple of days, Zhuo Qianqian will fly directly to Chengdu, so it’s not too late to visit then.

Wang Fan noticed the comments from online fans; they were so eager that he certainly wants to meet their expectations.

If he’s going to do something, he wants to do it the best way possible. He doesn’t want to prepare dishes that come out looking like ready-to-eat meals.

Though Wang Fan had been wandering around a lot these days, he hasn’t missed observing the lifestyles and characteristics of the locals.

He firmly believes that a place’s cuisine is closely related to its local culture. Without understanding the local customs and conditions, it’s like building a house without a foundation. It’s impossible to create authentic Sichuan Cuisine.

Sichuan people are straightforward and forthright. This straightforwardness is distinctly different from the ruggedness of the North and the delicacy of the South. Regardless of age or gender, being forthright seems to be a deeply ingrained trait among Sichuan people.

They are sincere and warm to others, yet know their boundaries—just like the spiciness in Sichuan Cuisine. It seems fiery, but actually stops just at the point. It’s like the layer of peppers on a dish; it looks like it could burn your tongue off but only suffuses you with the pepper’s aroma without overwhelming you, stimulating your appetite instead.

They’re direct and speak rapidly, like beans popping in hot oil. They handle affairs cleanly and efficiently, never dragging their feet, much like the numbing sensation in Sichuan dishes, direct and straightforward, similar to how many dishes require a quick, precise approach that can’t afford a delay.

They’re not just quick, but quick with attention to detail. Just like with most Sichuan dishes, which appear to have simple procedures, any small oversight in the details can significantly reduce the quality of the dish.

People from Sichuan Province have always valued culture over martial arts, producing many literary figures and talented women. They love to say, "Harmony brings wealth and happiness," and prefer to mediate conflicts, reducing major problems to minor ones and minor problems to none. However, one shouldn’t assume they’re pushovers; when provoked enough, they can show you, just like the Seven-Star Pepper, how to behave.

3.5 million Sichuanese soldiers went to war, but only 137,000 returned. These are people who will push themselves to the limit, nurtured by their land. The food they prefer must be piping hot, full of vibrant flavors, numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant, with the real story in the details.

When immersed in something, time flies by, and in a blink, it’s already the National Day eve.

Picking up Zhuo Qianqian, while the tourist rush is still en route, they head straight to Jiuzhaigou.

"Jiuzhaigou is famous for its ’six wonders’: emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, Tibetan charm, and blue ice. Notable spots include Shuzheng Group Sea, Nuorilang Waterfall, Five Flower Sea, Rhino Sea, Five-Colored Pool, and Pearl Beach. Among domestic attractions, this is the one I’m most looking forward to!"

Zhuo Qianqian was as excited as a lark: "October and November are the most beautiful months here. Spring is a photography paradise, summer a resort haven, some areas close in winter, but these two months are the best for regular tourists like us.

As summer turns to autumn, the leaves change from green to yellow, then to red. The reflection of these colorful leaves in the clear lakes and waterfalls is as beautiful as a fairytale world!"

Wang Fan laughed, "You explained it so well, anyone would mistake you for a tour guide here."

Zhuo Qianqian pouted and ignored Wang Fan’s teasing, instead curiously asking, "Boss, where do you plan to set up your stall next week? Let me make it clear in advance—don’t do it in Jiuzhaigou, Daocheng Yading, or the Giant Panda Breeding Base. In a few days, these places will be so crowded there won’t even be standing space."

Wang Fan said, "I haven’t decided where to set up yet. It’ll depend on where the wind takes me. But I wasn’t planning on setting up in the places you mentioned. I might head to Meishan since it’s the Home of Sichuan Cuisine Chefs. It feels like there would be more to learn there."

Jiuzhaigou lived up to its reputation, with exceptionally sunny weather today. The best weather for touring here is sunny or cloudy, which made the two of them even more excited for today’s itinerary.

When they arrived at the park entrance, it was just 7:30 am, and there weren’t many people yet. After ticket inspection, they boarded the sightseeing bus directly.

Jiuzhaigou spans 120 kilometers round trip, and every step is a scenic view. It’s almost impossible to see everything in one day just by walking. The sightseeing bus stops at all major scenic spots, allowing tourists to get on and off freely for photos and exploration.

Once on the bus and entering the park, Wang Fan felt that the money spent was truly worth it.

There are many 5A-level scenic spots in the country, and many just barely make it to 5A. But Jiuzhaigou felt like it’s a 5A because that’s the highest rating possible.

Everything from the advertised verdant mountains, green waters, and layered waterfalls is available here, especially as October is the peak water season. The variously sized lakes and ponds can almost rival Sayram Lake.

But Sayram Lake is just one, while there are 144 of these lakes in the three valleys here!