Travel During Work: 14-Day Slow-Paced China Tour for Malaysian Couple (70+)

It was a slightly chilly morning when I received a somewhat formal travel inquiry email from Mr. and Mrs. Lin from Malaysia. Both over seventy, their primary reason for visiting China was to handle some business collaborations in Shenzhen. However, they also wanted to weave in some sightseeing and, after their few days of work, experience a relaxing slow-paced trip to truly unwind and savor the local cuisine.

Looking at their photo in the email, Mr. Lin was sharply dressed in a suit, while Mrs. Lin wore a delicate lilac cheongsam, exuding the unique elegance of overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia.

"At our age," Mrs. Lin mentioned during our phone conversation, "mixing business travel with leisure, I'm really worried we won't be able to manage either properly."

After hanging up, I had a basic itinerary in mind for them. Guangzhou, the capital of Cantonese cuisine not far from Shenzhen, would be the perfect respite after their busy work schedule. Then, a five-day Yangtze River Cruise, allowing them to admire the stunning gorges and enjoy shore excursions before arriving in the 3D magical city of Chongqing to experience its mountainous scenery and Sichuan cuisine.

I hoped they would thoroughly enjoy it!

Sightseeing in Shenzhen Interspersed with Work

The three days in Shenzhen were indeed busy for the couple. They only had half a day to explore Shenzhen upon arrival at noon, with the remaining two days dedicated to work. Considering their tight schedule, I arranged the essential Shenzhen attractions - Splendid China Folk Village and Shenzhen Bay Park - for their first day.

They strolled through Splendid China Folk Village, admiring the miniature landscapes. Mr. Lin was particularly fond of the Hakka Tulou (earthen dwellings), which, despite being scaled-down, perfectly replicated even the carvings on the eaves. Mrs. Lin was enthusiastic about watching the Dai ethnic village performance, eagerly discussing it with Mr. Lin.

Their subsequent visit to Shenzhen Bay Park was also at a leisurely pace. The two slowly walked along the seaside greenway, with the vast ocean to their right. The sea breeze was constant but gentle, and in the distance, they could faintly see scattered fishing boats and the back of the bustling Hong Kong Island.

During the following two business days, Mr. and Mrs. Lin left early and returned late each day, with their meetings spread across various areas in Nanshan and Futian districts.

I arranged an executive suite at the Futian Shangri-La, which was close to the convention center and offered immediate business support. I remember one evening around ten o'clock, Mrs. Lin suddenly needed to print a contract, and the hotel resolved the issue within five minutes.

Slow Travel Moments: Guangzhou - Yangtze River - Chongqing

On the high-speed train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, I finally saw the two of them relax. Mr. Lin had changed into a polo shirt, and Mrs. Lin had let her hair down. I specifically chose business class seats, where the spaciousness allowed them to comfortably take a nap.

For their Guangzhou itinerary, I still only scheduled a few main attractions each day, ensuring they didn't depart before ten in the morning.

In front of the European-style buildings on Shamian Island, Mr. Lin was engrossed in studying the carvings on the arcades, while Mrs. Lin was intrigued by the copper kettles in the old-fashioned herbal tea shops along the roadside. They walked slowly, often stopping to rest on benches. This slower pace allowed them to notice many small details that tour groups often rushed past - such as the well-preserved grey plaster lions under the eaves of the Chen Clan Academy.

On the Pearl River night cruise, I specifically booked a boat with the fewest terrace seats. While other tourists crowded onto the deck to take photos, the elderly couple sat quietly in a corner. They shared beautiful photos with me, in which Mrs. Lin's eyes twinkled with a smile, and Mr. Lin, more reserved, gently held his wife's hand.

For dining, authenticity was key. I carefully selected Michelin-recommended restaurants in Guangzhou, where they spent the most time. They thoroughly enjoyed the food, and Mr. Lin ordered his favorite shrimp dumplings every morning during their stay in Guangzhou.

After Guangzhou, they boarded the Yangtze River Cruise. Before they boarded, I double-checked the location of the medical room, ensured seasickness medication was readily available in their cabin, and confirmed the bathroom had non-slip mats and handrails. Fortunately, the cruise proceeded smoothly. They watched the scenery of the mountains and rivers slowly drift by from the deck, and Mr. Lin enjoyed participating in the early morning Tai Chi sessions on the cruise ship.

Their trip concluded perfectly in Chongqing, with the dazzling night view of the brightly lit Hongya Cave leaving a lasting impression.

Over these 14 days of slow travel, I initially taught them how to use WeChat. Before departing for Malaysia, Mr. Lin sent me a WeChat message saying: "Your itinerary design was very relaxing. My wife and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and delicious food after work. Everything exceeded our expectations, except perhaps the Chongqing hot pot was a bit too spicy. Next time I'd like to go to Jiangnan. You must help us plan again."

No problem at all. The benches and good tea of Jiangnan await!