Why I Fell In Love With China (And You Will Too)
I'll be honest: When I was offered the chance to visit China, I said hell yeah. Now, China wasn’t always on my bucket list. Yes, I have always been fascinated by a country that is thousands of years old, and I have watched The Last Emperor more times than I can count, but actually visiting it involves logistics, complications, language, etc. Well, you get the point.
For years, I planned incredible trips for my clients—safaris in Africa, villas in Tuscany, and romantic getaways to Santorini. But China? It seemed too complicated, too overwhelming, too... different.
The visa process. The language barrier. The sheer size of it all.
And then life presented the opportunity, and it just seemed I had no excuses. Next thing I knew, I’m off to China.
Once you figure out how to get the visa (that’s where I come in), what immigration is like (also another area I help with), and how to navigate the entry process, it can feel both frightening and exciting at the same time. The good news for you, my clients, is that I have done all the hard part, and now I can pass along that expertise!
Before I went to China, I had assumptions. It’s a communist country, and of course, that means they are the big bad wolf, but China is a huge, vibrant city that blends old and new, and it’s wonderful.
Here's what surprised me most: The warmth of the people.
I don’t really know what I expected, but I was still surprised by the warmth of the people! Their genuine curiosity, playfulness, kindness, and interest in all things Westerners. My most memorable time was at The Temple of Heaven Park, where I met some students learning English who asked me questions. I take that time with me in my heart. They were so sweet, and the teacher was so nice.
I plan to write a series, but it may stay in my head before it gets to the website. I have so much to share about my time in China, including the food, which I know everyone says is not like ours. But what if I told you their fast food is closer to what we think of as Chinese? I know, I was blown away too. I will do a post about the food; this is just an intro.
I want people to come to China without thinking about all the challenges, because, quite honestly, having me as your travel advisor means you don't need to worry about them. I will take care of all of that, and most importantly, my partners in China will take care of you.
Want to learn more about how I can help you get to China? Visit my China page.
Let’s talk about your concerns and questions about a trip to China,visit my China page or block some time on my calendar.