Dr. Evan Pinto is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine with over a decade of experience in Shanghai. Trained in New York and Beijing, he combines clinical practice with teaching and public education. Known for his engaging, accessible approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Evan offers WildChina guests a thoughtful introduction to Chinese wellness philosophy.

WildChina’s Jewish Expert, Dvir Bargal is a long-time Shanghai resident as well as a celebrated journalist and documentary filmmaker. Dedicating much of his life to rediscovering Shanghai’s Jewish history, his articles and documentaries depict Judaism from the Silk Road to the Middle East.

An experienced art professional based in Hong Kong, Ellen Zhuang is currently serving as the manager at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, one of Asia’s leading contemporary art galleries. She possesses a deep understanding of Asia’s cultural landscape and contemporary art.

Eric Liu, founder of Beijing Sanfeng Tai Chi Club, has over 40 years of experience in Yang-style tai chi. A seventh-generation heir of the Wang lineage in traditional Yang-style tai chi, he blends martial arts with Taoist philosophy, focusing on cultivating internal energy (Qi) for health and clarity. Liu has taught globally, from cruise lectures to corporate training for clients like IBM and Daimler-Benz.

Fongyee Walker, co-founder of Dragon Phoenix, is the first Master of Wine based in mainland China. Over the last 20 years, she has played a significant role in shaping wine education in the country through wine tours, education programs, masterclasses, and appearances on TV and film. With her deep understanding of Chinese gastronomic cultures and history, Fongyee brings a wealth of experience to wine travel.

A chef and award-winning author from England, Fuchsia Dunlop became an expert in Sichuanese food after living in Chengdu and becoming the first foreigner to graduate from the prestigious Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine. A graduate of University of Cambridge, she has written for numerous publications and published several books focused on Chinese cuisine. Her book The Food of Sichuan remains a definitive work on the subject.

With a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a master’s in Martial Arts from the Beijing University of Physical Education (BUPE), Howard is an expert in Tai Chi. Howard was named one of the “Outstanding Youths of the Century” by Macao TV for his influence in the field of Chinese Martial Arts, known as wushu.

Jason Hilgefort, founder of Land+Civilization Compositions, is an urbanist and architect with over 20 years of global experience. From major city projects to alternative education platforms, he has shaped how urbanism is taught and practiced across Asia and Europe. With a deep interest in cultural landscapes and infrastructure, Jason brings a creative, research-driven approach to city-focused travel in China.

Jeff Fuchs is an explorer, author, and tea expert who was named one of Canada’s “Greatest Explorers” by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is the first documented Westerner to have traveled the legendary Tea Horse Road, as well as the nomadic salt route “Tsa-Lam” and the “Hor-Lam,” the route of pashmina through Ladakh.

John Zhang is a tai chi coach with 15 years of experience, based in Shanghai. He is known for his mastery in tai chi, wing chun, sanda, and modern competition skills. Mentored by a national team coach, John has earned numerous accolades in tai chi and other martial arts competitions. He has taught prominent figures, including former US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and has an impressive portfolio with Fortune 500 companies such as Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs, and Air France.

Lucy Liang joined the Shanghai Museum in the early 2000s, where she has guided senior executives and even a former U.S. president through its galleries. Drawing on the museum’s collection of more than 120,000 ancient Chinese artifacts, she brings clarity and context to each visit, shaping a deeper understanding of China’s cultural history.

Mei Zhang is the founder and CEO of WildChina. Under her leadership, WildChina flourished from a small Hutong operation into an award-winning business. Mei’s own expertise has led her to win a number of personal awards, including Travel and Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Advisors, Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist, and Wendy Perrin’s #WOW List of Travel Experts. Mei is an Aspen Institute China Fellow and currently serves as a member of Harvard Business School’s Alumni Board.

Neil Schmid is the Scholar-in-Residence at the Dunhuang Academy, and he is one of the world’s leading authorities on medieval Buddhism’s visual culture. He studied Chinese and East Asian Studies at Georgetown University, Waseda University in Tokyo, L’Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris, and finally earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.

Patrick Cranley is a widely published expert on the history and development of Shanghai. Having studied China’s business, politics, and culture for over 30 years, Patrick speaks frequently on his areas of expertise. In recent years he has narrowed his focus to the history, architecture, and urban development of his home since 1997, Shanghai.

Paul French was born in London and lived and worked in Shanghai for many years. His book Midnight in Peking was a New York Times Bestseller and a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. He received the Mystery Writers’ of America Edgar award for Best Fact Crime and a Crime Writers’ Association (UK) Dagger award for non-fiction.

A curator and gallerist from Beijing, Shasha Liu holds a master’s degree in Curatorial Practice from California College of the Arts. Shasha brought her expertise to Beijing’s Caochangdi art district as Director of F2 Gallery before transitioning to ART LABOR Gallery in Shanghai, where she now serves as a partner, continuing to influence the contemporary art landscape.

Based in Beijing, Thomas Lindesay is an adventurer, guide, and conservationist with a deep, lifelong connection to the Great Wall of China. Raised beside the Wall, his passion for its history and culture was forged from an early age. In 2018, he became the youngest person to walk the Great Wall from Jiayuguan in the west to Dandong in the east, a 3,842 km trek completed in 153 days. He now shares his extensive knowledge and personal experience by guiding travelers on journeys along the Great Wall.

William Lindesay has spent more than 800 days on the Great Wall during his many years in China, completing “the most successful foreign exploration of the Great Wall” according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. The British researcher has conducted extensive surveys on the Beijing portion of the Great Wall and published three books on the subject.