The WildChina team is dedicated to crafting transformative experiences for visitors to China, and as passionate travelers ourselves, we draw constant inspiration from our personal journeys around the world. In celebration of the Lunar New Year — a time for reflection and renewal — we asked our team members to share their most memorable travel highlights from the past year.
From spontaneous adventures to life-changing milestones, the team’s stories reflect the connections, growth, and profound impact that travel can bring to all of us.
Aki Yang: Walking the ancient paths of the Kumano Kodo
“At the end of October 2024, five like-minded companions and I completed a 70-kilometer hike along the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo in Japan. While the scenery may not have been the most dramatic, walking under towering ancient trees left us feeling deeply connected to nature.
On our last night, we realized that because we were missing a few stamps, we wouldn’t qualify for the official completion certificate of the Nakahechi route. Rather than focusing on the certificate, we agreed that the journey itself was the true reward. To mark the experience in our own way, we created six personalised certificates and held a small celebration in Shanghai to honour what the hike had meant to us.”
Alex Xu: Broadening horizons in Singapore and Bali
“This year, I had the privilege of leading my first client trip abroad, taking them to Singapore and Bali. The experience was incredibly rewarding. Singapore’s sleek, modern atmosphere contrasted beautifully with Bali’s stunning natural landscapes and vibrant culture, leaving a lasting impression on me. Every conversation with clients and every breathtaking view contributed to my personal and professional growth, filling me with confidence and anticipation for future opportunities.”
Andy van Riet: Family adventures in Xishuangbanna
“This past November, my partner and I surprised my parents with flight tickets to Shanghai, where we live. They stayed with us for two weeks, and we had a wonderful time showing them around the city. The highlight of their visit, however, was our trip to Xishuangbanna. Together, we explored the rainforest, savored fresh, locally sourced food, and went on a guided hike where we learned about the many ways locals use native plants. It was an entirely new experience for my parents. It felt incredibly rewarding to share these special moments as a family.”
Aster Lin: Fireworks at Mount Fuji
“A long-planned trip, an impulsive escape from reality, and my first encounter with familiar streets in winter led me to meet Mount Fuji. In winter, Mount Fuji often hides behind clouds, but I was fortunate — the guide said it was a rare, clear day. On the drive from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, I could already see its outline clearly through the frosted, dew-covered car windows. As we got closer, the number of tourists grew, their faces and languages reflecting countless cultures. Yet, this only added to the quiet, peaceful joy of the moment.
Later, I separated from the group and made my way to the ryokan I had booked in Kawaguchiko. Turning on the heater, I laid out the futon in my tatami room and gazed out at the bare tree branches outside the window. Restless, I decided to take a stroll through the town. Riding the slow, swaying tram, I stopped into a convenience store on Watch and Clock Street to warm up with a bottle of hot tea.
I caught the bell and drum ceremony at Asama Shrine, took a cable car to a hilltop for views of the mountain and lake, and watched the winter Fuji fireworks by the lakeside. The day ended with me soaking in an open-air hot spring at the foot of the mountain, gazing up at the starry night sky. It has been a year since that trip, but even now, I can still feel the warmth and healing those moments brought me.”
Chichi: Unexpected magic in Dali
“I have always loved Dali, but this trip felt particularly special. Due to a typhoon in Shanghai, I was forced to stay in Dali for an extra night. However, it was this “unavoidable” choice that allowed me to see the starry sky and the Milky Way in Dali, and witness a meteor for the first time in my life! Sometimes, what seems like an unavoidable choice ends up giving you an unexpected silver lining.”
Christine Xu: Reaching Everest Base Camp
“On the last day of 2024, I conquered altitude sickness and made it to Everest Base Camp. It was a true test of both physical and mental strength, and every step came with breathlessness and a racing heart. But when I stood at the foot of the world’s tallest peak, watching the incredible sunset and starry sky, all the challenges melted away. In that moment, I felt the immense power of nature and the strength of the human spirit. This experience will stay with me forever.”
Dan Casey: A sunrise wedding in the Himalayas
“My favorite personal travel moment of 2024 was during last Chinese New Year, when Grace (my then fiancée) and I embarked on a six-day hike in the Pokhara region of Nepal. On the fourth day, we woke up at 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise over the Annapurna mountain range and got married via Zoom. We were freezing for most of the trip, but we absolutely loved it regardless.”
Elena Shlykova: Finding connection in the Longsheng Rice Terraces
“My most memorable journey this year was hosting our annual FAM trip with my dear colleague Alice Zhang, where we welcomed 10 wonderful agents from around the world. While every destination during this trip was special, our time in the Longsheng Rice Terraces stood out. Away from the bustling cities, we found ourselves connecting to nature and the simplicity of rural life.
Our cozy boutique guesthouse felt like staying at a friend’s countryside home — warm, simple, and real. After a scenic hike, we gathered for dinner, tasting local delicacies and sipping homemade rice wine. What made the evening unforgettable was not just the food but the sense of closeness around the table. Twelve people who had met just a week earlier, suddenly felt like family. As the night unfolded, we shared stories and personal experiences, celebrating the joyful moments and offering encouragement and support during the harder ones. We stayed up talking late into the night, despite an early 6 a.m. start the next morning. That evening, our journey transformed into something more meaningful — a story of connection and shared experiences that I will always remember.”
Gabrielle Keepfer: Welcoming my parents to China
“My favorite travel memory of 2024 was when my parents came to visit my husband and I in China for the first time. After living in Shanghai for five years, it meant so much to finally share the city where we feel so at home.
We strolled through the Former French Concession, and stopped at some of our usual cafes and street vendors for breakfast. Showing them what makes this city so special to us — the tree-lined streets, cozy coffee shops, and bustling neighborhoods — was unforgettable.
We also took trips to Beijing and Suzhou, but it was the quiet, meaningful moments in Shanghai — where we could share the places and experiences we cherish most — that were my favorite. My mum and dad’s favorite memory, however, was tobogganing down the Great Wall of China — they love a thrill! They are already planning their next visit in 2025.”
Jenny Zhao: A spontaneous trip to the peony capital
“My most unforgettable personal trip in 2024 was to Luoyang. It all began when Auntie Zhang, from our Beijing office, bought a bouquet of flowers and placed it on an antique tea table. I thought they were beautiful and took a photo, commenting that the peonies she chose were gorgeous. However, the plant lovers on my WeChat Moments immediately pointed out that they were actually shaoyao (Chinese herbaceous peony)!
Realizing it was the Peony Festival and that I had never been to Luoyang, I decided to take a spontaneous trip. A three-hour high-speed train ride later, I was in Luoyang, exploring its peony gardens and finally learning to distinguish between peonies and herbaceous peonies. Of course, I also explored the city and its surroundings. There were so many things I loved, but my highlights were the ‘Three Teachings and Nine Streams’ stone stele at Shaolin Temple, which represents Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism; the hanging flower pillars at White Horse Temple; and the intricate carvings at Longmen Grottoes. Also, the vegetarian food at Shaolin Temple was absolutely amazing!”
Kendra Tombolato: Fishing and camping in the Rockies
“Among many memorable adventures in 2024, a high-altitude (3000-meter) camping and fishing trip with my family in the Rocky Mountains was one of the best.
I love camping. I love the complete disconnection from the outside world that it offers, the chance to forget anything you might be worrying about, and just immerse in nature. For me, it’s the most restorative experience, a way to clear my mind and realign with what’s most important in life. Beyond spending time with my family in the outdoors though, this trip was particularly memorable, because we caught our own dinner — several rainbow trout fished from the lake which we then cooked up over the campfire. I loved the feeling of being able to source and provide for ourselves – something humans have been doing, around the world, for all of time. It feels like a simpler, and in many ways, more fulfilling way of life.”
Oreo Tsang: A journey within on the Ancient Tea Horse Trail
“At the beginning of 2024, work brought me to Baoshan and Shuizhai in Yunnan, where I had the opportunity to hike a section of the Ancient Tea Horse Trail. I am not someone who exercises regularly or has much hiking experience, but I managed to persist through more than 20 kilometers of mountain trails over two days.
I still vividly remember the intense sunlight as we trekked through the mountains and the sheer exhaustion of climbing with each step. Back in my everyday life, whenever my endurance starts to waver, I think back to the unyielding determination I found during that hike.
The mountain trail was undeniably challenging, but it taught me so much about myself. Hiking is not just about physical endurance — it is a journey of self-discovery and overcoming personal inertia. Each time I felt my body reaching its limit, I had to break through mental barriers. And with every step I took, I realized that the journey within is the most expansive and beautiful landscape of all.”
Shirley Peng: Starlit skies in Fangshan
“My most unforgettable trip in 2024 was camping at the top of a mountain in Fangshan, Beijing. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, my friends and I drove to a remote campsite with no paved roads — completely different from bustling Beijing. Although visibility was poor that day, we set up our tent at the summit and prepared for a peaceful night. The mountains in Fangshan seemed to stretch endlessly. As night fell, the stars in the sky were particularly bright. Far from the city’s light pollution, it was the perfect spot for stargazing. We gathered around the bonfire, sipping tea and chatting, feeling isolated from the world, and accompanied only by the sounds of nature and the occasional breeze.”
Lucy Liu: Teamwork and triumph in Tibet
“This year, the corporate team and I travelled to Tibet, and one of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Zhayang Cave, about two hours’ drive from Lhasa. The cave, where Guru Rinpoche once meditated, is perched at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. Reaching the entrance was no small feat — we had to climb hundreds of meters at high altitude, ascend a nearly vertical ladder, and squeeze through a narrow passage to reach the final destination.
But the most memorable part wasn’t the physical challenge — it was the experience of navigating the high altitude and the varying effects of altitude sickness among us. Some team members moved quickly, while others slowed down. At one point, we thought those who had fallen behind might have turned back. Yet, in the end, everyone who started the hike reached the destination. We descended the mountain together under a breathtaking, starlit sky.
One teammate described the experience with a single word: “resilience.” It perfectly encapsulated not only our individual journeys but also the spirit of our team. As I reflect on that moment, “resilience” has become my guiding word and aspiration for the year ahead.”
Tom Lewis: Proposing amid the beauty of Nujiang
“Over the Christmas break, I had the incredible experience of spending time in Nujiang, Yunnan. The breathtaking scenery, welcoming people, and delicious food made it an unforgettable trip. A standout moment was meeting and chatting with some of the remaining face-tattooed women of the Dulong minority. However, the ultimate highlight was proposing to my now fiancée.”
Yimin Deng: Quiet moments and new beginnings at Erhai Lake
“On my third trip to Yunnan, I finally learned how to ride a bicycle, at the age of 27, making it my most memorable trip of 2024. Beyond this personal milestone, the trip was also a feast for the senses. The mélange of spices and herbs, combined with fresh and aged ingredients in Yunnan cuisine, has solidified it as one of my favorites. It was amazing to try a wide variety of dishes from different ethnic communities, followed by coffee made with Yunnan coffee beans. With the coffee culture in Kunming, it was so easy to find cute cafes to enjoy some quiet and slow moments.
The highlight of the trip was the peaceful mornings by Erhai Lake. We woke early to watch the sunrise with a cup of espresso on our balcony, soaking in the lake’s complete serenity. Later, we rode bikes along the water, accompanied only by the chirping of birds and the gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore. With the tranquil lake entirely to ourselves, I felt fully present in the moment, surrounded by a profound sense of vastness. That kind of solo moment is something I always seek to experience on my trips, even if only briefly.”
We hope these personal stories inspire more unforgettable journeys in 2025. For those considering exploring China in the Year of the Snake, get in touch with our travel designers to turn ideas into adventures.
