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Liya Su

A senior tour guide in China has become popular on mainland social media for impressing foreign visitors with his proficiency in English and heartfelt hospitality.
The unidentified man, from Shaanxi province in northwestern China, has worked as a guide for 30 years, and is currently to be found at the entrance of the ancient site of The Terracotta Army, Shaanxi TV reported.
The famous collection of terracotta sculptures depicts the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China in the 200s BC.
In a viral clip filmed by a visitor, the guide who is wearing a tour guide badge around his neck and has a microphone tucked around his ear, starts a conversation with two foreign tourists.
“Hi, nice to see you,” he says as he approaches the visitors

“Yeah, nice to meet you,” one of them answers.
“Have you got our museum ticket?” he asks. “We have tickets,” they reply.
“I have been doing this job for 30 years in English. Do you need a guide?” he asks with confidence.
The visitor from overseas looks surprised and says: “30 years in English?”
“I think we’re interested in having you as our guide,” the clearly impressed tourist said.
“Why are they here? How were they made? How many soldiers are there? I can explain,” the excited guide was eager to tell them everything about the ancient site.
They paid his fee and walked beside him into the museum.
“You are also very patient,” the foreign visitor who filmed the clip said.
“We’re lucky, right?” he said to his companion.

The precise details about how the guide mastered English were not made clear, but he seemed disciplined and eager as he still read history books in English for two hours a day.
The story has captivated many people on mainland social media users.
“He is so amazing. He can speak great English, and he spends two hours reading every day,” one online observer said.
“I’m impressed by his professional English speaking skills and rich knowledge too,” said another.
“I’ve been learning English for many years, but mine is not as good as his,” another person added.


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Elderly China tour guide at ancient site impresses foreigners with impeccable English, warm hospitality, delights all

An elderly tour guide in China has impressed foreign visitors with his impeccable English and warm hospitality, delighting mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

An impressed foreign tourist admires the elderly tour guide’s range of knowledge and English skills. Photo: Douyin

The senior guide works at China’s Terracotta Army, one of the world’s most iconic tourist sites. Photo: Shutterstock

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News

People & Culture

Man at Terracotta Army location, welcomes tourists, enjoys conversing
Long-term dedication to learning, reads English history every day


An elderly man in China, who has worked as a tour guide for 30 years, has been praised by overseas visitors for his language skills and enthusiasm for his job.


Tourism

Chinese tourists

Elderly China tour guide at ancient site impresses foreigners with impeccable English, warm hospitality, delights all

Man at Terracotta Army location, welcomes tourists, enjoys conversing Long-term dedication to learning, reads English history every day

Man at Terracotta Army location, welcomes tourists, enjoys conversing

Long-term dedication to learning, reads English history every day