I said it before and I will say it again, Sisi is the BEST TOUR GUIDE IN CHONGQING!
This VERY LONG review is based on my second visit to Chongqing, where I opted for a fully customised tour package. I'm making this review in comprehensive detail because I GENUINELY appreciate the EFFORT she put into making my trip one of the most memorable travel experiences I have had so far, and I hope this review helps prospective travellers who are considering her services.
For context, I am a Muslim female solo traveller and I am unable to communicate in Mandarin. For my second trip, I wanted something very specific: an off the beaten path experience that went far beyond the usual tourist checklist. The itinerary included hotel hopping from the northern part of Chongqing in Beibei District to downtown hot spring resorts and hotels, visits to rural areas in northern Chongqing, the Zhangguan Cave, the Art Institute District in southern Chongqing, the Bunker Bookstore, and a hotpot restaurant with live performances.
I had previously engaged Sisi for a neighbourhood and mountain tour during my first visit to Chongqing earlier this year, which I enjoyed so much that I requested her again without hesitation. For this second five day trip, both Sisi and Guoer, the founder of the tour company, were extremely responsive throughout the planning stage. Once the trip began, Sisi was fully committed and present every single day, which made the entire experience feel seamless and well supported.
To give a fair and balanced review, I will break down my experience into different aspects of the service! (Fair warning, I'm so willing to make an essay about this because she DESERVES EVERY CREDITS) - Her actions speaks a lot.
*****PROFESSIONALISM AND PLANNING
From the very beginning, Sisi was exceptionally organised and thoughtful in designing my customised itinerary. She gave realistic and well structured recommendations and carefully considered travel distances between locations and always offered alternative options when needed. The result was an itinerary that felt curated, intentional, and never rushed.
*****TIME MANAGEMENT AND FLEXIBILITY
Sisi struck a great balance between structure and flexibility. She was firm enough to keep the schedule on track, especially since I wanted to see and do as much as possible, but also attentive to my comfort. Since hotel hopping is one of my personal interests, she also navigated local towns and communicated directly with hotels to make each transition smooth and stress free. Her gentle reminders helped the days flow smoothly, and I never felt stressed or hurried.
*****SAFETY, CARE, AND PROBLEM SOLVING <- VERY IMPORTANT
As a solo traveller, safety is always a priority for me, and this was one of the strongest aspects of the experience. Because I was unable to book local transport myself, Sisi regularly called drivers and hotels to ensure I arrived safely at every destination. She also helped resolve communication issues with hotels, even outside official tour hours.
As this is the winter season, she also thoughtfully provided tissues and masks and made sure she remained in good health throughout the tour.She even included a traditional Chinese massage within a local neighbourhood as part of the itinerary before we headed to Beibei District, which was such a thoughtful and relaxing addition
She's also very resourceful, one situation that truly demonstrated this happened when we were returning from a very remote rural area in northern Chongqing and had difficulty securing a DiDi driver back to the city. Instead of panicking, Sisi remained calm and composed. She spoke with locals nearby to seek help, assessed our options, and quickly came up with alternative solutions. When it became clear that a car was not immediately available, she suggested walking together towards the nearest bus station while continuing to look for transport options. The entire situation was handled smoothly and confidently, and at no point did I feel unsafe or anxious.
There was also an incident at a hotpot restaurant that further highlighted her ability to represent and protect her clients’ interests. I was extremely disappointed with the seating arrangement, as we were placed at an outdoor table where the live dancing and face changing performance could only be seen from the back, despite many better tables being available. I had also paid extra under the expectation of getting the best viewing seats, which the restaurant failed to provide. Sisi immediately took my concern seriously, addressed the issue directly with the restaurant management, and when they were unable to change our seats, she negotiated firmly and successfully secured a refund for the extra charge. For someone who cannot communicate in Mandarin, having a guide who can confidently handle such situations made a huge difference.
Another moment that stood out was on the night before my early morning flight. Sisi stayed awake until two to three in the morning just to make sure I had safely arrived at the airport. That level of care and responsibility is something I will always remember.
*****DIETARY AND CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
Sisi was incredibly attentive to my dietary needs and ensured that all meals were halal friendly.. A very thoughtful gesture was her bringing a spoon and fork for me during meals since I do not know how to use chopsticks, which I truly appreciated. She also helped me order food delivery on days I felt I don't feel like leaving the hotel.
Throughout the trip, Sisi shared a wealth of local knowledge in a way that felt natural and engaging. She introduced me to traditional Chinese tea brewing, explained different types of nuts and traditional snacks found in wet markets, and how they are paired with tea. She also taught me the proper way to enjoy hotpot, which turned out to be both fun and surprisingly informative. These little moments added so much depth and colour to the experience.
*****PERSONALITY
Beyond her professionalism, Sisi is simply wonderful person to spend time with. She is transparent, steadfast, meticulous, and has a great dry sense of humour (very witty too) that made our conversations easy and enjoyable. Nothing ever felt awkward.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Overall, Sisi delivers a highly professional, caring, and well organised service while maintaining a warm, friendly, and engaging presence. Her commitment, responsiveness, strong problem solving ability, and attention to detail truly set her apart. If you are looking for a customised and off the beaten path experience in Chongqing, especially as a solo traveller or someone with specific cultural needs, I cannot recommend her highly enough. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would happily book with her again for my YEARLY TRIPS TO CHONGQING. Sisi! You deserves this recognition. Give this wonderful guide a hefty bonus!
