"Hi, I'm Millie, a content specialist at China Highlights. I write travel guides to help you plan your trip to China with confidence. Whether you're deciding where to go, when to visit, or how to make the most of your time, I hope my articles make the planning process easier and more enjoyable."
My Story
Before joining China Highlights, I worked in project management in the manufacturing industry. I enjoyed turning complicated information into clear, practical plans. Looking back, I never expected those same skills to one day help me write travel guides.
Travel had always been how I relaxed after busy months at work. Every year, I'd plan a few trips for myself. I liked researching destinations and comparing itineraries, but I also learned that some things are impossible to judge until you're actually there.
One experience in Xi'an has stayed with me ever since. Like many first-time visitors, I assumed I'd visit both the Terracotta Army and Lishan Garden. They were included in the same ticket, so it just felt like the obvious thing to do.
The Terracotta Army was unforgettable, but Lishan Garden didn't add nearly as much to the experience as I'd expected.
By the end of the day, I couldn't help thinking I'd spent more time trying to get my money's worth than making the most of my trip.
Since then, whenever I write about an attraction, I find myself asking the same question: If I were planning this trip myself, would I still spend my time here? That's why I care just as much about telling people what they can skip as what they shouldn't miss.
My Travel Highlights
My favorite trip so far has been to Beijing. Growing up in southern China, where autumn is short and evergreen scenery is everywhere, I had always dreamed of seeing the golden colors of a northern fall. In late October 2025, a friend and I spent eight days exploring the city at a relaxed pace.
What impressed me most wasn't only famous landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. It was the contrast between Beijing's magnificent imperial architecture and its everyday life. Walking through grand palace halls one moment and quiet hutongs the next gave me a much deeper appreciation of the city's character.
The most unforgettable moment came beside the corner tower of the Forbidden City, where two magnificent ginkgo trees were glowing in the afternoon sunlight. Watching their golden leaves shimmer in the breeze, I finally understood why so many people choose autumn as the best time to visit Beijing.
Beijing showed me that a destination is much more than a collection of must-see attractions. Since then, I've been paying more attention to the moments in between—they're often what stay with me the most.