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This past year brought big adventures, small surprises, and moments that reminded us why we love what we do. Our work is guided by a love of travel and sharing it with others, and shaped by the people we meet along the way.
We asked our travel designers to look back on 2025 and share two travel highlights: a WOW moment they created for travelers and a personal memory from their own journeys. Here are some of their reflections.
Qiujing Peng: A birthday surprise and a Yunnan guesthouse stay
WOW moment I created for travelers
On the last day of a Tiger Leaping Gorge journey this year, I learned that one of our guests was celebrating her birthday without mentioning it to anyone. I asked the hotel to prepare a cake, and that evening we surprised her by bringing it out and singing “Happy Birthday.” The joy on her face is still vivid in my memory. We also prepared a Pu’er tea cake and invited everyone to write messages on the wrapper, which she took home as a keepsake of the journey and the people she shared it with.
My own travel highlight of 2025
On the same trip in Yunnan, we stayed at a rural guesthouse run by a middle-aged couple. I was delighted to discover that the wife spoke English. She told me she had taught herself by listening to tapes and practicing with hikers who passed through the mountains. Her determination left a deep impression on me and inspired me to keep learning new things.
Alice Zhang: Connecting travelers and a journey through Uzbekistan
WOW moment I created for travelers
One of the most memorable trips I helped create this year was for a solo traveler from the United States who visited Chengdu, Leshan, Zigong, and Luzhou. He chose China as his first destination in Asia because he wanted to see the country with his own eyes rather than through news or social media.
He loved the small, family-run restaurants and made a point of speaking with people he met along the way. Hearing how much he valued those encounters reminded me that our work is not only about creating memorable journeys but about bringing people together who might otherwise never meet.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal highlight was a summer trip to Uzbekistan with a friend. We missed an early-morning train in Margilan after going to the wrong station and thought the day was lost. Instead, the station staff helped us at every step. Even without a shared language, translation apps allowed us to communicate, and they arranged a shared taxi with two other passengers heading to Tashkent.
During the four to five hour ride, they pointed out farms, invited us to lunch, and even took us to a village to pick grapes. What began as a stressful mistake turned into the most memorable part of the trip because of people’s kindness.
Maria Midenko: A sunset cruise and cave exploration in Zhangjiajie
WOW moment I created for travelers
One WOW moment I was proud to be part of was a privately arranged visit to the Louis Vuitton flagship store and its curated exhibition in Shanghai, where craftsmanship and design came to life for our guests. Another came with a chartered sunset cruise in Hong Kong. Seeing everyone laughing and sharing stories as the skyline lit up felt like the perfect ending to the journey we had built for them.
My own travel highlight of 2025
A survey trip to Zhangjiajie with my colleagues was my personal highlight. Descending into a cave with the Blue Sky Rescue Team was full of adrenaline in the best way and reminded me how good it feels to step outside my comfort zone. What stayed with me most were the people we met. Local teams talked openly about their lives and their work. Their energy was infectious, and I returned feeling motivated and uplifted.
Isaac Gray: Attending court proceedings and a trip to Malaysia
WOW moment I created for travelers
A retired lawyer couple told us they were curious about Hong Kong’s legal system and asked if they could sit in on real court proceedings. This was not a typical request, but I loved the idea. I arranged for them to attend court while it was in session, and our guide Sonie printed the pre-trial briefs so they could follow the arguments. It felt rewarding to connect their travels with their life’s work.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal travel highlight was a trip to Malaysia. The food was incredible, the beaches were beautiful, and the architecture really stood out. It was one of those trips that felt deeply relaxing and full of discovery at the same time.
Harriet Hua: Hong Kong heritage and snorkeling in Vietnam
WOW moment I created for travelers
One of the WOW moments I helped create this year was arranging a private heritage tour in Hong Kong with conservation advocate Paul Chan. Walking the city with him, our guests heard the stories behind specific theaters and historic buildings that local communities worked hard to protect, as well as the conservation efforts happening today. After the tour, our guests shared that Hong Kong felt completely different to them, as if they were seeing a side of the city they hadn’t known existed.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My travel highlight this year was snorkeling in Vietnam. The water was incredibly clear. Later, a local guide shared that pollution has begun to reduce visibility in many areas, and that days like the one we experienced are becoming less common. As a travel designer, it prompted me to think more carefully about how we can design trips that not only delight guests, but also continue to actively contribute to environmental protection in the places we visit.
Jenny Zhao: A Lama’s meditation room and a California summer
WOW moment I created for travelers
One of my most meaningful WOW moments this year came during a journey I hosted with Lucille in March. We arranged for our group to visit a Lama’s meditation room and speak with him in person. Watching our guests be welcomed into a space that is usually private, and seeing how much the encounter moved them, made it unforgettable.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal highlight was a summer trip to San Diego with my son, staying with friends. They showed us both the coastline and the nearby mountains. We swam at La Jolla Shores, hiked at sunset, and went stargazing. One moment we will never forget was spotting leopard sharks in the water, only to learn how gentle they are.
Together with our friends, we made an artwork using pebbles collected on the beach. It is a memory my son and I both treasure.
Dani Su: A 23-day journey and a day at the Ghibli Museum
WOW moment I created for travelers
In April, I helped create a 23-day journey through China for a couple, designed fully around their interests and pace. Along the way, they kept sending messages about how much they loved their guides and the experiences we had arranged for them. Hearing their reactions in real time made me proud of the teamwork behind the scenes and reminded me how thoughtful planning can truly shape someone’s experience of a place.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal travel highlight was in late May during a visit to Japan, when I spent a day at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Walking through the exhibits and seeing original sketches brought the films I love to life. It felt like stepping inside stories that had been part of my life for years.
Lucille Li: A postponed family trip realized and trails in Yunnan
WOW moment I created for travelers
Earlier this year, I helped bring a postponed family trip back to life. The family had previously needed to cancel due to illness, and once their loved one recovered, they reached out hoping to travel soon. I re-designed the journey and worked with our local partners to make it happen.
During the trip, we arranged for them to cook with a Naxi family, celebrate a birthday with fireworks, and enjoy a home-cooked hot pot barbecue at their driver’s home. When they told us, “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without you,” it felt like a true WOW moment.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal highlight was a survey trip with my colleagues along the missionary trails in Yunnan. Our guide, Aluo, sang Tibetan mountain songs during the steep climbs. One night, we watched a shooting star cross a sky full of stars. We also learned about a unique musical instrument played by the Nu ethnic group.
The most moving moment was arriving in Dimaro village, where villagers gathered to thank WildChina for supporting outdoor guide training. One Tibetan girl shared that the training had given her a new source of income doing what she loves. Knowing that our work played even a small part in that change is something I will not forget.
Leah Liao: New friends and Nuo mask carving in Guizhou
WOW moment I created for travelers
One WOW moment I helped create this year came during our November Small Group Departure. The group started as strangers but, by the final evening, they were friends, talking about the guides they’d met, the conversations they’d had, and how differently they now saw China.
My own travel highlight of 2025
My personal travel highlight was visiting Zhouguan Village in Guizhou to learn Nuo-mask carving. The transfers were long and the accommodation simple, yet the remoteness made the experience even more meaningful. The calm village life, the patience of the master carvers, and the focus required to carve by hand helped me slow down and reset in a way I hadn’t expected.
These stories capture the experiences that shaped 2025 for our team and our travelers. Thank you to everyone who joined us along the way. If you’d like to be part of the story in 2026, we’d love to hear from you.
