A Retired Colombian Geography Teacher's Map Becomes 16 Days Real-life China Trip

In late February, with spring just around the corner, travel inquiries began to pour in. I was in the process of planning a May trip to China with María, a retired woman from Colombia. She told me she had spent her life as a teacher, and a world map had been her constant companion. Now that she was retired, the journeys she'd made on a map were finally going to become reality.

She wanted to see China with four of her family members. She fluently listed the cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Tibet, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie. These destinations span China's geographical and historical spectrum, from the profound history of the imperial capital to the vastness of the Tibetan plateau and the graceful landscapes of the south. It was a list that included almost all the iconic images of China for foreign visitors.

I was impressed by her intimate knowledge of China's geography and hoped I could give her family an equally memorable trip. The question was, how?

Designing a Comfortable Itinerary for Retirees

The cities on her list spanned China's geographical and historical spectrum, from the profound history of the imperial capital to the vastness of the Tibetan plateau and the graceful landscapes of the south.

But more important than the diversity of the scenery was her family's comfort. María was over 60, which meant the trip couldn't be rushed. The pace had to be relaxed, the accommodations quiet and comfortable, and the travel logistics as easy as possible. She never explicitly said she was worried about fatigue, but I could sense a quiet concern about their stamina and endurance.

So, I was extra cautious in my planning.

In Beijing, I arranged a two-day deep-dive into the Forbidden City, but I scheduled the Great Wall visit for the third day and made sure they could take the cable car both up and down, avoiding a long, difficult climb. In Shanghai, the Bund's night view was a must-see, but I scheduled it for the evening so they could rest at the hotel during the day and set out at a leisurely pace.

The Tibet leg of the trip was the most challenging. Altitude sickness is an unavoidable risk, especially for first-time visitors. Simply booking a flight and being done with it would have been irresponsible. I started talking with them about acclimatization recommendations two weeks in advance, suggesting they take Rhodiola herbal supplement and spend their first full day in Lhasa resting, walking only near the hotel, and drinking warm rice porridge. I specifically booked oxygen-enriched rooms for them and coordinated with the local guide to carry a portable oxygen tank. I didn't truly relax until I learned they had successfully made it through the first 48 hours and were starting their visit to the Jokhang Temple.

The entire trip spanned six cities and involved multiple modes of transportation, including flights, high-speed trains, and private car transfers. For every change in location, I felt like I was putting together a complex Lego set. When they departed from Lhasa, I avoided a night flight and chose a midday departure to give their bodies more time to adjust to the change in altitude. For the trip to Zhangjiajie, I arranged a direct flight to avoid the exhaustion of a layover. I personally checked recent guest reviews for every hotel to ensure the bedding was comfortable, the rooms were quiet, and the location was convenient, paying special attention to whether there were elevators and nearby restaurants.

Wonderful China Trip Full of Memories

Throughout their journey, they sent me daily updates. Sometimes it was a picture of a bowl of steaming hulatang (a type of porridge) from a street in Xi'an, other times it was a photo of the misty Li River in Guilin. And once, on the glass skywalk in Zhangjiajie, they stood cautiously side by side, with the towering, mist-shrouded peaks behind them. I responded to every message as soon as I saw it, even with just a simple "It's beautiful" or "Remember to dress warmly." For travelers far from home, a timely response is a form of silent companionship.

Later, as they were leaving Shanghai, María sent me a long thank-you message. Without any fancy words, she calmly wrote: "Throughout the trip, we never felt rushed or lost. Every detail was taken care of, from the name on the pickup sign to the warm water in our hotel room, and the guide's gentle reminders to 'walk slowly, don't rush.' And your support online made the trip feel so easy. I was worried this long journey would be a burden, but it seems we left our worries behind for happiness."

For me, this may be one of many trips, but for the traveler, it's always their first. I will always remain passionate about the countless decisions behind every itinerary, the late-night flight confirmations, and the simple reminders like "It's getting cold, remember to add a layer" after seeing a photo. I hope the grandeur and gentleness of this land will leave a lasting impression on them.