We are a team of local Chinese history, travel, culinary, and hiking enthusiasts who look forward to sharing our exciting home city of Beijing and the Chinese culture we grew up in with you.
TONY CHEN
Tony Chen, a native Beijinger, founded Stretch-a-leg Travel in 2006 after spending six months in New Zealand and realizing Beijing did not have any companies providing historical walking tours similar to the ones he joined in abroad.
Prior to founding Stretch-a-leg Travel, Tony had extensive work experience in China’s adventure travel industry working as a group leader for small group adventure travel companies such as Intrepid (AUS), REI (USA) and World Expeditions (AUS) for six years. He led groups on 28-day trips to 10 cities, 13 day cross-country biking trips from southern China to Vietnam, and trips retracing the ancient Silk Road.
An avid traveler, Tony has spent much of his time outside running Stretch-a-leg and exploring Beijing trying to understand the expectations and perspectives of his clients and their own cultures during his personal travels to North America, Europe, South America, Central Asia, and throughout Northeast and Southeast Asia. One particular experience he cherishes was the chance to hike Hadrian’s Wall in Britain and compare that experience to hiking China’s Great Wall.
Born and raised in Beijing, Tony is passionate about the history of this city and would like to share with you what he knows about Beijing and about China itself.
KATRINA LIU
Katrina Liu joined the Stretch-A-Leg Team soon after she graduated from the Xi’an Translation Institute in 2007. After moving to Beijing, Katrina became fascinated by Beijing’s rich history and its cultural background. Combining her interest in Beijing with her passion for travel, superb English, great sense of humor and her readiness to adapt to the needs of her clients, Katrina is a top-rate guide.
LAURA ZHAO
Laura joins the Stretchaleg Team after leading English language tours with the national China Travel Service Head Office for two years and then for two years with another Beijing based international travel company. Earning a degree in English and International Relations from Xi’an Translators University, Laura not only brings excellent English skills to our team, but also a great spirit of adventure, curiosity, and a special ability to understand each clients’ specific interests.
JONATHAN ZHANG
Jonathan joins Stretch-a-leg after working as a veteran guide and translator in Beijing for over 11 years. Jonathan brings the authority, knowledge, and instinctive ability to relate to clients that only comes with the experience gained from working at top tour companies, VIP events, and with international clients over a long time. Past experience highlights include working as a translator at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the landmark Fendi fashion show on the Great Wall, personal guide to Ms. Silvia Fendi, acclaimed American actress Ms. Glenn Close, and the city mayors of Lacey & Olympia, WA, USA. We are thrilled to have Jonathan on board to not only share his extensive experience guiding guests in Beijing, but also to share his personal passion of sharing Beijing and Chinese culture with people from different cultures.
NILA SARI, OFFICE MANAGER
Nila joins the Stretch-a-leg Team as our awesome office manager handling all inquiries and coordinating all our trip and tour logistics with her extensive background in the hospitality and high-end customer service industries. After graduating with a bachelors in Hospitality Management from Beijing Union University, Nila has worked in international four and five star hotels and resorts in Indonesia and China, most recently working in the Ritz Carlton Beijing Financial Street Hotel in the Guest Relations Department. We are excited to have Nila’s superb level of customer service, attention to detail, and management skills.
