I wanted to write a story about "real China"—not just the landmarks—and Lingtuyangguolv helped me do exactly that.

I wanted to write a story about "real China"—not just the landmarks—and Lingtuyangguolv helped me do exactly that. They arranged a lot of in-depth experiences around my reporting theme: in Suzhou, we visited a Su embroidery workshop next to Humble Administrator's Garden, watched a master make Su embroidery with silk threads as thin as hair, and even tried simple embroidery stitches; in Hongcun, at the foot of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui, I interviewed farmers who grow organic tea, followed them to pick tea leaves, experienced the tea-making process, and drank the purest Huangshan Maofeng tea; in Hangzhou, I connected with young entrepreneurs by West Lake, learned how they combine traditional tea culture with modern design, and tasted freshly roasted Longjing tea in Longjing Village. During the trip, the guide was not only a translator but also a cultural bridge—she explained the history of Su embroidery, the characteristics of Huizhou architecture, and the legends of West Lake. Accommodation was also very distinctive: in Hongcun, we stayed in a homestay converted from a century-old Huizhou-style ancient house, with carved doors and windows and a courtyard with a sky well full of charm; in Hangzhou, we booked a hotel facing West Lake, and pushing open the window, we could see the beautiful scenery of Broken Bridge with Snow. The itinerary was flexible, allowing me to spend extra time with interviewees, and they even helped me book a quiet workspace at the hotel. This trip wouldn't have been possible without Lingtuyangguolv—they're passionate about showing visitors the heart of China.