We Live &
Breathe China
China Route Guide was born from a simple conviction: international travelers deserve the same depth of knowledge as a local friend with expert credentials. That's who we aim to be.
From a single route to a full network
China Route Guide started in 2008 when founder Wei Zhang began handwriting detailed itineraries for visitors at his family's guesthouse near the Mutianyu Great Wall. Tourists kept asking for more — more routes, more depth, more cities.
By 2012 the operation had grown into a small team of destination specialists. By 2018 we had guided over 5,000 international travelers. Today we're a remote-first team of 12 spread across Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, and London — united by an obsession with getting the details right.
Every route on this site has been traveled by a member of our team. Every guide is written from real experience, not scraped aggregation. We update them regularly to reflect changing visa rules, infrastructure, and seasonal conditions.
Where it all started — Wei's first handwritten itinerary sheet for a group of Australian hikers.
Depth Over Breadth
We know China intimately — not from a brochure, but from years of on-the-ground guiding. Every route we recommend is one our team has walked.
Tailored, Not Templated
No two travelers are alike. We refuse to sell cookie-cutter packages; instead we listen, then plan — matching pace, interests, and budget precisely.
Transparent Pricing
We publish our route prices openly. No bait-and-switch, no hidden supplements. What you see is what you pay — and we're always happy to explain every line item.
Local-First Network
Our partners are local operators, family-run guesthouses, and specialist guides — people who call these destinations home, not sub-contracted middlemen.
Wei Zhang
Former cultural heritage guide with 15 years leading international groups through the Silk Road and Imperial China circuits.
Lin Chen
Grew up in Guilin. Specialist in natural landscapes, minority cultures, and slow-travel routes through the Southwest.
Fang Liu
Trekked every major route in Sichuan and led 200+ group tours to Tibet. Expert in high-altitude travel logistics.
Sarah Mitchell
Bridge between our Western clients and local teams. Former travel journalist who's visited China 22 times.
Ready to plan your journey?
Talk to our team. Free consultation, personalized itinerary draft, transparent pricing.