Faces of WildChina: Mia Liu 刘雨珂

Meet Mia, who hails from the coastal city of Jinzhou, where sun-soaked summers and a warm community spirit instilled in her a love for authentic connection. Her path led to Melbourne, where studies abroad broadened her cultural perspective and inspired her to turn a passion for exploration into a vocation. Now based in Chengdu, she is captivated by the city’s vibrant energy and renowned cuisine. As a travel designer, Mia specializes in crafting journeys that reveal the unplanned, heartfelt moments which transform a trip into a lasting memory. When not designing adventures for others, she can be found behind a camera, singing, or enjoying a quiet afternoon sketching with a coffee in hand.

Where are you from and where do you live now?

I’m from Jinzhou, Liaoning Province — a coastal city in northeastern China. Life there moves at an easy pace, and the locals are warm and cheerful, all speaking with that familiar Northeast accent I love. I have fond memories of summer evenings when my parents would take me out for street-side BBQ, or we’d grill skewers together by the sea. In winter, we would run and slide across the frozen ocean. My childhood was filled with simple moments of joy.

Now I live in Chengdu. The city has a youthful energy, yet it still feels laid-back and easy-going, the kind of place where you instantly feel at home. I haven’t fully adjusted to the local dialect or the humidity yet, but when it comes to the food, I have no complaints — Chengdu’s flavors are unbeatable. 

Was there a specific moment in your life when you realized travel is what you wanted to do for work?

During college, I visited a friend’s hometown. He was so proud to show me the streets he knew, the food stalls he loved, and to tell me how the city had changed over the years. That experience really moved me. Compared to reading about a place online, being welcomed into it with such warmth was an unforgettable surprise. His pride made me feel connected to his hometown too.

China is vast and has so much worth exploring for both international visitors and locals. Through my work, I hope to discover more of my own country while also helping travelers experience it in a meaningful way.

Through your career, was there one piece of advice you received that really impacted how you do your job? If so, what was it? 

That’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer, because I’ve been lucky to receive guidance from so many people throughout my career. I’ve found myself thinking it over again and again to pick just one. 

If I had to choose, it would be this: ‘The only way to do a great job is to love what you do.’ I first heard this while studying in Melbourne, where my teachers and friends encouraged me to pursue a career I truly enjoyed. Their advice inspired me to pause and reflect deeply on what work means to me and what kind of future I wanted. That quote still guides me today, reminding me to always listen to my heart, follow my genuine interests, and put my full passion into the work I choose.

What is the best travel experience you’ve had so far?

Every trip has given me unforgettable memories, but two stand out. The first was traveling with my mom in Australia while I was studying there. A few months before graduation, she came to stay with me in Melbourne. I showed her around my campus, took her to my favorite coffee and gelato shops, and we traveled together to Sydney and Tasmania. In Sydney, we spent a whole day wandering Bondi Beach, sat by the Harbour Bridge sharing beers and fries, and napped on the grass in the Royal Botanic Garden. In Tasmania, we stayed up late to watch penguins waddle home after midnight and spent a quiet morning overlooking a small coastal town.

What made the trip unforgettable was seeing my mom in a new light. Just one day after arriving — without speaking a word of English — she took the bus, train, and tram to pick me up from school. She smiled at strangers, tried simple English phrases, and radiated such joy and energy. Travel revealed her bravery and kindness in a way I had never seen before, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

The second was a road trip with friends in Sichuan. In Siguniangshan Town, we ate yak meat hot pot at a small restaurant run by a Jiarong Tibetan owner. He shared stories of his culture, served us barley cakes, and the next morning welcomed us into his home for butter tea. Later, we reached a village homestay in Wori Town late at night. At first, we felt nervous, but the owner’s warmth quickly put us at ease. He cooked homestyle dishes, set up a majiang (mahjong) table for us, and filled the house with light and the smell of food. At midnight, we climbed to the rooftop to look at the stars and even saw the Milky Way. Moments like these can’t be planned — they happen when trust and sincerity bring people together. 

What is the most memorable trip you’ve planned for a traveler? 

A journey I’m especially proud of designing, and one I can’t wait for travelers to experience, is a flower-themed trip through Yunnan and Tibet. In Yunnan, the scenery changes with the seasons: mountain slopes come alive with wildflowers, villages are surrounded by golden fields, and temple courtyards glow with blossoms. In Tibet, spring brings peach trees blooming in soft pink beneath snow-capped peaks, while later in the year azaleas and rhododendrons cover the hillsides in color. I hope these journeys give travelers the chance to see China in a softer, more poetic way.

What’s the coolest WOW moment you’ve had happen on one of the trips you arranged?

I think the little details are often the most impactful. Remembering a birthday, arranging a thoughtful surprise along the way, or finding just the right spot to watch the sunset — those small touches can turn a trip into something unforgettable. They’re what make a journey feel personal, and they’re what I most look forward to creating for our travelers.

If you had to pick one thing that makes a trip outstanding, what would it be? 

For me, it’s the unexpected parts of a trip. It might be being invited by a local family to share a meal, or happening upon a festival you didn’t know was taking place. Those unplanned moments are often the ones that stay with you the longest.

Tell us three places on your travel bucket list and why: 

I’d love to visit Tibet. After planning many trips for travelers there, I feel it would be a journey of discovery for myself as well — not only to see the mountains and monasteries, but also to experience the sense of peace and reflection that visitors describe.

I also hope to travel to Guizhou, especially the Qiandongnan region, to see its natural beauty and the vibrant traditions of the Miao and Dong communities.

The third place on my list is Bali, where I imagine life as a digital nomad. I picture early morning runs, swimming even on rainy days, and quiet afternoons with a cup of coffee.

What do you do when you aren’t working?

I love listening to music and singing. When the weather is good, I like to wander the streets with no set destination, just enjoying whatever I come across. On rainy days, I’m happiest curled up at home with a movie or a variety show. I also enjoy drawing — I keep a collection of colored pens and find it relaxing to fill a page with color.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I’m also a photographer! I love taking portrait photos and capturing the beauty of everyday life. Helping people see themselves as confident and radiant through the lens, and recording these little moments, is something that truly brings me joy.