People we would like to meet
- Local hosts: people who enjoy conversation, know their neighbourhoods and can help guests feel at ease in an unfamiliar city.
- Guides and cultural specialists: people who can bring history, architecture, local culture or a particular subject to life, within the arrangements permitted by each venue.
- Photographers: people with a clear visual style who can help travellers feel comfortable in front of a camera and capture a day naturally.
- Experience collaborators: cooks, makers, artists and other local practitioners with a thoughtful, practical idea for sharing what they do.
These are areas of interest, rather than a list of guaranteed vacancies. The right fit depends on the city, experience and work available.
What matters to us
Local knowledge is a start. How you look after people matters just as much.
- Listen to what guests enjoy, and notice when they need a break or a different pace.
- Communicate clearly about meeting points, timing, costs and what is realistic.
- Be reliable, prepared and respectful of guests, residents and the places you visit.
- Share local life with curiosity and care, without turning people or neighbourhoods into props.
- Make room for questions, different backgrounds and the small moments that make a day memorable.
Ways to work together
A collaboration might centre on a city walk, a food experience, a photography session or a specialist activity. Tell us what you know well and what you would feel confident hosting.
When discussing a possible assignment, we will work through the scope, availability, responsibilities, fees and expenses together. Please do not assume that an introduction creates an employment offer, a confirmed assignment or a guaranteed number of bookings.
Where we are looking
Our current experiences focus on Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Let us know which city you are based in and the areas you know best.
If you are elsewhere, you are welcome to introduce a specific idea. Any collaboration would depend on whether it fits our plans and can be arranged practically.
Introduce yourself
A short, thoughtful message is a good place to start. Include:
- Your name, the city you are based in and the languages you can comfortably work in.
- Relevant hosting, guiding, photography or other practical experience.
- The kind of guest experience you would like to create, and what makes it personal to you.
- A portfolio, website or a few examples of your work, where relevant.
- Your general availability and the best way to contact you.
If you have professional qualifications relevant to your proposed work, mention them so we can discuss the appropriate arrangement.
The next conversation
We will review how your interests and experience fit the work available. If there is a possible match, the next step is a conversation about the experience, the way you work and the practical details.
You do not need a perfectly polished pitch. We are interested in the person behind the idea, and in how you would help a guest enjoy your city.
Before you apply
Do I need previous hosting experience?
Relevant experience is useful, but your introduction can also explain the local knowledge, practical skills or specialist interests you would bring. Tell us what you have done and what support or preparation you would need. Suitability depends on the proposed experience.
Which languages should I speak?
Tell us which languages you can use comfortably with guests, including your level of spoken English where relevant. Being able to listen, explain practical details and handle an unfamiliar situation matters more than a polished script.
Do I need a professional qualification?
Mention any guiding, photography or activity-specific qualifications you hold. Requirements depend on the work and the venues involved, so they need to be discussed for the proposed arrangement. An introduction on this page is not an authorisation to carry out restricted activities.
How much time do I need to commit?
Share your general availability, including weekends, evenings and any seasonal limits. The time needed depends on the experience and the work available; we have not set a universal weekly-hours requirement on this page.
How are fees and payments arranged?
Fees, payment arrangements, expenses and responsibilities need to be agreed for the particular collaboration before an assignment is confirmed. There is no published earnings guarantee or standard commission rate on this page.
Can I suggest my own experience?
Yes. Describe who it would suit, what guests would do, how long it might take and why it matters to you. Include practical details such as the location, transport and any permissions needed. We can discuss whether the idea fits and what would need to happen before offering it to guests.
Get in touch
Introduce yourself on WhatsApp. Start your message with “Work with Uncoveredchina” and the city you are based in.
You can also find out more about our team and the experiences we offer before getting in touch.