Every year, our leisure team gathers from across China and beyond for our annual travel week—a rare and cherished opportunity for us to step away from our screens, meet face-to-face, and reconnect not just as colleagues, but as travelers. It’s a time to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and remind ourselves why we do what we do: to explore, experience, and bring authentic journeys to life for others. More than just a meeting, it’s a journey in itself—one that deepens our understanding of a destination and strengthens the bonds within our team.
This year, we ventured to Chongzuo, a hidden gem on China’s southern border with Vietnam, just beginning to capture the interest of local travelers. Led by WildChina’s local guide, Michael, we explored the region’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, and unique experiences—gaining firsthand insight into what makes Chongzuo so special.
Now, we’re excited to share this journey with you! Read our insights from our trip to Chongzuo: https://wildchina.com/2025/02/the-wonders-of-chongzuo/
#chongzuo #chinaadventures #offthebeatenpath #wildchina #travelchina #culturalexploration #naturelovers #southernchina #hiddenchina #teamtravel #explorechina
Formed in 1941 by General Claire Lee Chennault, a retired U.S. Army officer, the Flying Tigers were a fearless group of American pilots who volunteered to defend China. Later integrated into the U.S. military, they grew to include Chinese and Chinese-American airmen, united under the Flying Tigers name. With their shark-toothed P-40 Warhawks, they struck deep into enemy lines, disrupting Japanese supply routes and defending China’s most critical territories. Through sheer courage and determination, they lifted China’s spirit in its darkest hour. Their relentless defense of western China played a pivotal role in the conflict, turning them into a symbol of resistance and hope.
In partnership with the Royal Asiatic Society China, Beijing, we’ve curated a special travel series for the 80th anniversary of WWII: Allied Victory: Western Aviators and WWII Battlefields of China.
This exclusive program features two expert-led journeys, each bringing history to life—one honoring the legacy of the Doolittle Raiders, and the other retracing the footsteps of the Flying Tigers across China’s wartime landscapes.
🛩 Flying Tigers Journey:
📅 May 24th - 31st
📅 Oct 18th - 25th, 2025
Learn more: https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-flying-tigers-the-battle-of-hong-kong/
🛩 Doolittle Raiders Journey:
📅 May 16th - 24th
📅 Oct 10th - 18th, 2025
Learn more: https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-doolittle-raid-the-battle-of-shanghai/
Leading these explorations are Melinda Liu, the daughter of an Honorary Doolittle Raider, and Alan Babington-Smith, a historian deeply engaged with WWII narratives in China—both offering personal insights and untold stories.
#wwiihistory #doolittleraiders #flyingtigers #chinawwii #historicaljourneys #wildchina #culturalconnections #aviationhistory #travelthroughhistory #uschinafriendship #heritagetravel #historyuncovered #luxurytravelchina #wwiimemories #alliedvictory
The Doolittle Raiders
In April 1942, just months after Pearl Harbor, 80 brave U.S. airmen launched a daring bombing mission over Tokyo, led by Lt. Colonel James H. Doolittle. After the raid, they crash-landed in China, facing unfamiliar terrain and uncertainty. But instead of hostility, they were met with compassion. Chinese villagers, risking their lives despite language barriers and cultural differences, sheltered and protected the stranded airmen, reflecting the true spirit of cooperation and shared humanity in the chaos of the world's most devastating war.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWII, in partnership with the Royal Asiatic Society Beijing, we’ve curated a special series of journeys: Allied Victory: Western Aviators and WWII Battlefields of China. This includes two extraordinary expert-led trips—one honoring the legacy of the Doolittle Raiders and another tracing the footsteps of the Flying Tigers.
The Doolittle Raid & The Battle of Shanghai:
📅May 16th - 24th
📅Oct 10th - 18th, 2025
Learn more: https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-doolittle-raid-the-battle-of-shanghai/
The Flying Tigers & The Battle of Hong Kong:
📅May 24th - 31st
📅Oct 18th - 25th, 2025
Learn more: https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-flying-tigers-the-battle-of-hong-kong/
Leading these explorations are Melinda Liu, the daughter of an Honorary Doolittle Raider, and Alan Babington-Smith, a historian deeply engaged with WWII narratives in China—both offering personal insights and untold stories.
#wwiihistory #doolittleraiders #flyingtigers #chinawwii #historicaljourneys #wildchina #culturalconnections #aviationhistory #travelthroughhistory #uschinafriendship #heritagetravel #historyuncovered #luxurytravelchina #wwiimemories #alliedvictory
🌟 Happy Chinese New Year from all of us at WildChina! 🌟
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we wish all our friends, partners, and travelers a year filled with prosperity, good health, and new adventures. 🎉🐍
During Chinese New Year, you’ll often hear the greeting “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (恭喜发财)—which means “Wishing you prosperity and success!” We send this heartfelt blessing to you and hope the new year brings joy, fortune, and unforgettable journeys.
🎊 Thank you for being part of our journey! Wishing you a wonderful Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai! 🧧✨
📍 Jinshanling, the Great Wall of China
One of our favorite sections of the Wall is Jinshanling. It offers a quieter, more authentic experience with fewer crowds. This section still has many of its original Ming Dynasty features intact, like watchtowers and defensive walls, and the mountain views are incredible. It’s a great spot for hiking and taking in the history at your own pace.
#thegreatwall #china #beijing #visitbeijing #chinatravel #wildchina #hiking #hebei
Some moments are meant to be captured! This August, we had the pleasure of hosting seven travel agents for a FAM trip in Beijing. It’s no easy task to showcase the essence of China in just three days, but we carefully curated our favorite experiences in the capital to give our guests a true taste of the best Beijing has to offer. From a private Tai Chi lesson at the Temple of Heaven to exploring the Forbidden City, and toasting with champagne on the Great Wall—it was a whirlwind journey through our most cherished spots.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful partner, Rosewood Beijing 北京瑰丽酒店, for their exceptional hospitality and for beautifully capturing these cherished memories. We couldn’t have asked for a better co-host to share this journey with!
#Rosewood #WildChina #ChinaTravel #China #FAMTrip
Meet our Director of Education, Haena Kim!
Some of you might already know that, alongside our exciting journeys across China, we also organize educational trips. As a China-based company, our mission is to offer more than just sightseeing, we strive to create meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. Working with students—the next generation of decision-makers —is something we’re truly passionate about.
For over 20 years, we’ve taken students and educators to more than 100 destinations across Asia. Haena, our Director of Education, is at the heart of our mission. She and our team actively participate in every program we create, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, immersive, and transformative. By working closely with schools and organizations, our academic managers design trips that bring classroom lessons to life, connecting students with real-world experiences in ways that go far beyond textbooks.
#wildchina #asiatravel #visitchina #explorechina #chinatravel #discovrechina #educationtravel #transformativetravel #experientialeducation
🥮 Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! To celebrate this special occasion, we gathered together for a mooncake tasting. Watch the video to see our team’s reactions to the different flavors!
May your Mid-Autumn Festival be filled with joy, family, and plenty of mooncakes.
#midautumnfestival #mooncakes #wildchina #tasteofchina #chinesefestival #chinesetraditions #chinatravel #culturalexperience #chineseculture #fullmoo #中秋节 #travelchina #foodtasting #festiveflavors #chinesefood
Tibetan monastic debates are a powerful blend of philosophy, tradition, and spiritual training. Monks use these lively exchanges to test their understanding of Buddhist teachings, engaging in both intellectual and physical challenges. The strong gestures and loud claps are not just for show—they are methods for sharpening the mind and deepening spiritual understanding. Each clap and gesture serves to challenge and emphasize key points of Buddhist philosophy.
Our Head of LATAM, Andres Vargas, documented the vivid experience of this ancient tradition on his recent trip to Tibet with our travelers.
#wildchina #tibet #lhasa #buddhism #explorechina #chinadiscovery #tradition #chinatravelguide #buddhisttemple
Every twelve years, the Miao people come together for the Guzang Festival—a vibrant celebration that lasts up to 15 days. Deeply rooted in tradition, the name “Guzang” combines “gu” (drum) and “zang” (to bury), emphasizing the festival’s centerpiece: the ceremonial drums.
Preparations start two years in advance, with each festival hosted by a different Miao village. In between these grand celebrations, a smaller, annual “Small Guzang Festival” takes place, lasting four days, featuring different themes each year.
At the heart of the Guzang Festival is the drum ceremony, where large, intricately decorated drums are played to symbolize unity and the collective spirit of the community. This powerful drumming is accompanied by traditional Miao music, singing, and dancing, with participants dressed in their most colorful and elaborate costumes.
The festival is also a time of deep spiritual significance, as rituals and offerings are made to honor ancestors and deities, invoking blessings and good fortune for the years to come. The Guzang Festival is more than just a celebration—it’s a profound expression of cultural identity, reverence, and communal harmony.
Many thanks to our Program Manager, Daizy Dai, for capturing this beautiful video during her trip to Guizhou.
#chinatravelguide #travelphotography #instachina #travelgram #wildchina #asiatravel #virtuosotravel #instatrip #culturetravel #chinaadventures #wanderlust #chinadiscovery #guizhou #festival
We are beyond excited to announce that WildChina has been nominated for a Virtuoso Travel Sustainability Award for our GUDAO project!
GUDAO, meaning ‘ancient trails’ in Chinese, is an initiative aiming to bring new life back to China's historical paths, many of which now lay forgotten. The project is ongoing, but so far has included physically restoring the trails, working with local communities to establish homestays and cultural immersion experiences, and bringing travelers along these routes to see and learn their histories first-hand. We are looking forward to announcing more on this project later this year, and are incredibly humbled by the initial recognition this award represents.
We would also like to extend our congratulations to the other Virtuoso members and partners who have made the finalists list, and are looking forward to hearing more about their individual sustainability initiatives at Virtuoso Travel Week's Under One Sky Event, where we will be sharing more on our GUDAO project as well.
Congratulations to the other finalists: Boutique Travel Advisors, Abercrombie & Kent USA Vietnam, Intrepid Travel, Amanpulo, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, IC Bellagio, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Soneva, Wilderness, NUBA, and Sonia Jones Travel! See you next month!
#virtuosoawards #sustainability #wildchina #explorechina #visitchina #supportlocaleconomies #sustainabletourism #vistuoso
WildChina caters to the curious, the world wanderers, and the wild travelers. For our up-to-date travel advisory visit wildchina.com/travel-advisory
