Hello! I'm Helen Wang

My journey as a travel advisor began in 2003 at a hostel in Chengdu, where I first encountered travelers from around the world. This experience ignited my passion for exploration and deepened my understanding of diverse cultures. My three years working there not only expanded my knowledge of geography and tourism but also made me appreciate how remarkable China is and the incredible experiences it offers.

Back in the early 21st century, when information on the internet was still developing and platforms like Facebook were not yet widespread, many travelers relied on guidebooks such as Lonely Planet and travel agencies for information. As a travel advisor in the hostel, I fielded countless requests each day, from booking train and flight tickets to arranging personalized excursions. This role demanded extensive destination knowledge, logistical coordination, and excellent communication skills. To build this knowledge, I delved into guidebooks, took day trips, joined group tours, and participated in familiarization trips offered by destinations. I embarked on extensive journeys through Sichuan and its neighboring provinces, including Shanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and beyond. These adventures deepened my knowledge of these incredible destinations and further ignited my passion for travel.

Strong logistics and organizational skills are crucial for a travel advisor. Managing a wide range of travel requirements—from short cultural events to cross-country tours—developed my logistical acumen and problem-solving abilities. I found joy in addressing these diverse needs, seeing it as both a challenge and an opportunity to immerse myself in my clients’ journeys.

Understanding each traveler’s unique needs is a priority for me. Every traveler has their own dreams, interests, and concerns, and it’s my job to listen carefully and provide clear, accurate, and timely information. Seeing my clients’ travel dreams come to life is incredibly rewarding, and I take great satisfaction in helping them achieve their travel goals.

My career continued to evolve after my time at the hostel. In 2006, I was selected by my previous company to work as a tour operator in Tibet. I spent six months working with local Tibetan staff, managing tours and ensuring smooth experiences for our groups. This role honed my skills in detail orientation and problem solving, while also offering practical insights to my team. I had the privilege of exploring various regions of Tibet, including Lhasa, Tsedang, Gyantse, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, Mt. Kailash, the Guge Kingdom ruins, and Ningchi. This journey profoundly enriched my life, immersing me in Tibetan culture, customs, and spirituality, while deepening my passion for travel.

With four years of experience in inbound tourism, I consider myself a seasoned travel advisor with a profound understanding of the industry. In December 2006, I co-founded WindhorseTour and played a key role in developing our website, training our staff as well as a travel advisor! WindhorseTour was one of the first agencies to promote Tibet tours online for international travelers, providing a convenient way to plan and book tours in advance. After the 2008 Lhasa riots, Tibet travel regulations changed, requiring foreigners to travel with organized tours, permits, and guides, which made early planning even more essential.

In the early years of WindhorseTour, we initially focused on Tibet, working closely with local guides and drivers to offer immersive experiences. Over time, we expanded our offerings to include key destinations across China, such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, the Silk Road, and Xinjiang. Our goal is to create personalized experiences for FITs and small groups from international markets to China/Tibet.

The primary reason for co-founding WindhorseTour was to make it easier for travelers to plan their dream journeys online. Our dedicated team of travel advisors focuses on meeting each client’s unique needs and planning their dream travel with logistical precision.

Our business philosophy is:

We strive to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes, maintain fairness and transparency, and uphold clear and open communication.

Our goal is to welcome and help every traveler to simplify their travel planning, ensuring a seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free experience by receiving expert guidance, personalized recommendations, and convenient solutions tailored to their needs and desires.

As a travel advisor and co-founder of WindhorseTour, I have had the opportunity to deepen my expertise in the travel industry. I have continued traveling and exploring unique destinations, reaching a point where I want to share my insights not only as a traveler but also as a travel advisor. I aim to reveal hidden information that every traveler should know, along with my personal experiences and advice on what to be mindful of during your journeys.

This passion inspired me to create HelenInAsia. Through HelenInAsia, I am dedicated to helping you uncover the wonders of China and Asia in a meaningful and enriching way. Whether you’re exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Tibet or immersing yourself in China’s cultural treasures, my goal is to make your journey unforgettable. At the same time, I’ll share practical travel tips, insider advice only a seasoned travel advisor can provide, ways to save money, and strategies for navigating any travel situation, no matter where you are.

Most importantly, on HelenInAsia.com I’ll show you how to make the best of every travel experience—whether by embracing local cultures, uncovering hidden gems, or approaching each journey with curiosity and an open mind. Together, we’ll ensure every moment of your travel is enriching, memorable, and uniquely yours.