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What can I say about Wu... Three weeks ago while still at home, I was looking for a guide to show me around the area of Lijiang and Dali. I stumbled across some very positive reviews of a young woman named Wu. Reading the stories about her, I knew: I want her to be my guide. She was born in Shangrila, Tibet, or should I say Paradise... After I contacted her we had a long chat on WeChat, to get to know each other. Immediately it felt good, as if we were similar spirits. Thus, I was very excited with the prospect of meeting her. But then the weather stepped in... After having arrived in Lijiang, I received a message from Wu, that the weather prevented her from coming (she lives in Kunming). She sent me photos of cars "swimming" in the streets of Kunming. But, she did everything she could to come over to Lijiang and she arrived the next day, after about 48 hours with hardly any sleep. She is really committed to her job! Then, an amazing four days started, travelling together with her, and visiting the old town of Lijiang and the beautiful area of the small village of Baisha. Here we visited a family that has been known for its embroidery for 17 generations. Using the finest silk and the most beautiful natural colours they create true pieces of art. One day, we went high up into the mountains, close to Dali. A mysterious journey through history, beautiful nature and clouds. Wu brought me to places of incredible beauty. I already decided I want to go back to Yunnan, in Spring, enjoying the clear skies and the flowers, together with Wu. One of the reasons why Wu is so good at her job, is that she doesn't impose anything on you, she listens carefully to you and then prepares for you a journey that perfectly fits your dreams and wishes. So she may guide you off the beaten tracks, away from the spots where everyone goes. The reward is that you will be immersed in the ancient, peaceful, and intriguing history and nature of the Naxi and Bai people. It is hard to describe Wu, she is a free spirit, warm, caring, wise, funny and passionate. If you want to have a true personal experience and if you are open for a lot of fun, I do not believe there is a better guide. Read less

I just returned from China after almost six weeks of traveling.  While in Lijiang, at the beginning of the trip, I was traveling alone and had not arranged for a guide.  Luckily I brought  Wu's contact information with me, just in case, and so disoriented and exhausted, after the first day, I gave her a call.  What a warm, intelligent, and generous young woman!  She was busy that first day but still made all of the arrangements for me to visit various monasteries with her friend Rosy, also a synotrip guide.  The third day Wu and I spent together visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, taking photographs of stunningly beautiful wild flowers, attending a spectacle celebrating the various ethnic groups in China and then visiting the old village of Baisha, famous for its embroidery, where we ate a leisurely lunch, explored the town, took photos, and shopped.  Wu has a keen eye for beauty and helped me pick out a number of gifts for my family at good prices.  When we returned to old town Lijiang at the end of the day, she insisted I buy a ticket to a Naxi music concert later that evening.  That concert was so moving and so memorable, I am very grateful to her for insisting I go.

Later I returned to Lijiang earlier than planned and called Wu again, not only to help us arrange for a driver but also to spend some time with her.  My memory of our day together left me wanting to know her better, even missing her.  

Wu not only arranged for a driver that day but also helped my friends arrange a ride to the airport.  The two of us did get to spend that evening together eating spicy fish, tofu, vegetable soup, sharing our thoughts and insights about living a meaningful life, exploring old town Lijiang, and tasting lots of different teas.  The time I spent with Wu felt more like a visit with a close friend than time spent with a tour guide.  Then imagine that this close friend speaks perfect english and has a passionate, poetic understanding of her country's culture.  Then imagine that she is one of the kindest, most generous people you have even met:  that's Wu.

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Wu is a bright and delightful young lady and I am pleased to recommend her to be your guide in lijiang, dali, yunnan, or anywhere in China. Her English is very good. Wu really did so much to make my stay in lijiang, with a side trip to dali, very enjoyable. With Wu's guidance my experience was more like being a local than being a tourist. Lijiang is a little bit of paradise and if you have Wu as your guide you can experience the best of it.

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I have traveled to Yunnan twice, and have enjoyed Wu's guidance in the Tiger Leaping Gorge area, as well as in Lijiang and neighboring villages.   Lijinang may be the most famous town in the area, but there are many others that are not so touristed----I would never have know about them without her help.

 

Wu is a caring person, who seems to be primarily interested in in making her clients happy, and figuring out what it is that they want to get out of their travels.  She speaks English well, she knows the region well, and she is punctual.

 

Anyone interested in having English speaking guidance in the region should put her on their short list of options!

 

James G.

New York

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I hired Wu as my tour guide in October 2010 for a trip to Chengdu and the surrounding areas.  She did a wonderful job guiding me in the city of Chengdu and to the beautiful panda zoo, the mountain of Emei Shan and the giant Buddah of Leishan. Wu is very helpful when it’s time to plan an itinerary, book bus tickets, negotiate in stores or order in restaurants! In many Chinese cities and villages, most people don’t talk English so it’s very useful to have a Chinese speaker. Traveling with Wu is always easy, because she is always joyful and sensitive to people’s needs. She likes her country and she is always available to explain any question about the Chinese culture. The thing that makes me the most happy about my trip to Chengdu is to now have Wu as a friend forever.  

Jean-Francois

Montreal, Canada

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I have been to China Twice now in 2007 and 2009-2010. Both times i have been guided by Wu ( and Lassie). We went all over China, including Tibet, Inner Mongolia , Beijing , Kunming, Shangri-la ,Chengdu, Dali and many other places including Liijiang in Yunnan province.

I can honestly say that if it had not been for Wu and her vast knowledge of Chinese culture my trips would have been superficial at best. Impressive for a young woman of her age. She translated for me, we ate in places i would never have ventured in, she even cooked in small out of the way places in circumstances where she felt we might not get the desired quality of food. No MSG she would tell the cook, and she checked.

The savings of having her negociate for me reduced the cost of my travels and increased my appreciation of this great country...not always easy to travel in. By western standards the cost of her services were more than reasonable.

China was heaven after 8 months in India. Wu is a lovely girl, a bit timid at first. She will introduce you to the China of her ancestors and the country of her generation.

She has contacts with westerners and people in mountain villages. Treat her well and you will enjoy your stay. She makes it simple, easy and comfortable.

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