WHY WANDER CHINA
Wander China is a New Zealand-based travel company with deep roots in Southwestern China and strong local partnerships across the country. We specialise in immersive journeys that blend authentic village life, hands-on craftsmanship, and the raw beauty of nature — while also offering seamless extensions to China’s iconic cities for a well-rounded travel experience.
Through meaningful interactions with local communities, artisans, and traditions, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation between cultures. Whether sharing a meal with locals, joining a traditional craft workshop, or exploring remote villages, our journeys are designed to encourage curiosity, connection, and a deeper understanding of the places we visit.
We believe that the true beauty of China lies in its villages, its wild valleys, and the people who still live close to the land. Our mission is to take you beyond the tourist trail — to the heart of rural life, where culture is still lived, not staged.
Classic Highlights
Cultural Immersions
Wild Escapes
Themed Discoveries
We’re a small but experienced team, brought together by a shared love for China’s diverse cultures, landscapes, and everyday life. Working closely with trusted local communities and partners, we create immersive journeys that encourage meaningful cultural connection beyond the usual tourist routes.
As Wander China continues to grow, we look forward to sharing more of the people, traditions, and stories that make this part of the world so special.
Founder
With eight years of experience in the international education and tourism industry, Biying has led teams and hosted more than 2,000 students and faculty leaders from the United States across the Asia-Pacific region.
Southwestern China holds a particularly special place in her heart, as she spent many of her childhood summers there — developing a deep connection with the region’s landscapes, ethnic cultures, and everyday life. This personal bond eventually inspired her to establish Wander China, creating immersive journeys beyond the major tourist routes and encouraging travellers to experience a more culturally grounded side of China.
Biying believes meaningful travel can foster genuine human connection and mutual understanding across cultures. For her, some of the most memorable experiences come not from major landmarks, but from shared meals, local stories, village communities, and moments of everyday life.
Co-Founder
Yanjin (Jack) was born and raised in Xi’an, China and now lives in New Zealand. Over the past years, he has developed a deep love for the outdoors. Whether it’s rock climbing, hiking, paddle boarding, surfing, slackline or just getting out and exploring, adventure outdoors has always been a big part of who he is.
The passion for outdoors is what inspired Yanjin to start Wander China. He didn’t want to create just another typical tour agency — he wanted to offer something unique. China is a diverse country, with amazing landscapes, rich history, and vibrant local cultures that go far beyond the usual tourist spots like the Great Wall in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, or the city buzz of Shanghai. His goal is to take travellers off the beaten track and show them authentic China, the way locals live it.
Journey Design Lead
With over fifteen years of experience in the cultural and arts sector, Luxiao has worked on publications, videos, and documentaries for Chinese artists, collectors, and cultural brands. Her background has given her a deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary creative communities.
At Wander China, Luxiao focuses on designing immersive cultural journeys that go beyond conventional sightseeing. Drawing on her extensive network and cultural research, she helps shape experiences centred around traditional architecture, tea culture, heritage crafts, and meaningful encounters with local artisans and communities. Through her work, she hopes to help travellers connect more deeply with the subtle beauty and cultural traditions of China.
Luxiao also holds qualifications as an Advanced Tea Evaluator, National Level II Tea Art Technician, and Certified Teacher of Chinese as a Foreign Language.
Journey Host
Journey Host
Kelu Ma is a Beijing-based Journey Host who frequently travels across Southwest China to support Wander China programmes, particularly trekking and nature-focused journeys.
Kelu studied Event Management and Economics, and has experience supporting large-scale international events and cultural programmes. She also previously worked at Walt Disney World in Florida, where she was involved in international student exchange programmes.
Passionate about the outdoors, Kelu is an enthusiastic trekker and climber who has summited several peaks in China, including Haba Snow Mountain and Gangshika Peak.
With a love for adventure and cultural exchange, Kelu enjoys guiding travellers through the landscapes and communities of China, helping them experience a more personal and authentic side of the country.
Operation Manager
Originally from Yunnan, Yun is the Operation Manager at Wander China.
With experiences working in an art and culture space in Dali, Yun has organized numerous events that blend traditional customs with modern trends, which introduced many to the region’s vibrant folk traditions and rich artistic heritage.
As a passionate coffee enthusiast, Yun draws on Yunnan’s status as China’s largest coffee-growing region to design travel experiences that highlight the local coffee culture and its significance.
Yun’s commitment to creating authentic experiences makes her an invaluable part of our team
We live here, and we’ve traveled far. Our team combines local roots in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi with years of experience leading international travelers. We are proud of our culture and passionate about sharing it with others. With extensive networks and resources on the ground, we bring a deep understanding of the region’s culture, history, and landscapes, and ensure every journey is thoughtfully curated.
We speak your language—literally and culturally. From the first email to the last day of your trip, we’re here to guide, translate, and support. Our well-trained team ensures seamless coordination and personalized attention, making your trip both safe and memorable.
We believe meaningful travel should give back. That’s why we support local artisans, share stories of living traditions, and take active steps to protect the environment—like picking up litter on mountain trails and choosing low-impact transport whenever possible. We also invite our participants to join us in giving back, fostering a shared commitment to meaningful and sustainable travel.
Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, family, a school group, or your company team—we offer the flexibility to match your interests and budget. Choose from thoughtfully crafted small-group tours, or let us design something just for you.
Got a wild dream? We'll make it real. Open to ideas? We'll dream it up for you.
