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Kelly Lu

I love travel, and always willing to share my experience with more people. Travel to me is a way which I can connect with the world and challenge myself to become a better person. Being able to experience many cultures and meet new people brings me so many great memories which I am able to share with other people so that people can hopefully go out and travel for themselves.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Thailand and other Southeast Asia countries. I spent lots of times to travel as a traveler. I inspected the destinations as a travel specialist in the area. I visit honorands hotels and meet the local guides as a Purchasing Manager"

How did you get involved in travel?

"One of my cousins being an English-speaking tour guide when I was in my junior high school. I was thinking this is a coolest job ever. That was the beginning of my career. I decided to learn well English from that time, and being inspired to become an excellent tour guide from there."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"My most memorable travel experience was going to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 21days 14 years ago, because I fall in love with the destinations at that time and helping more travelers to enjoy their holiday there since then. It was my first inspection trip from Thailand and I learnt a lot from this trip. Even though, I traveled to these destinations a few times a year, but still the first trip was so special for me."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Kelly

Excellent local guides!
Japan | Aug 27 - Sep 5, 2023

Shannon
Shannon M.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023

Our guide in Tokyo as well as our guide in Kyoto/Nara/Osaka were great. Both were very informative and did a great job. Our favorite thing was visiting Nara and seeing the deer and the big Buddha statue. But we really loved the whole trip. read more

Our guide in Tokyo as well as our guide in Kyoto/Nara/Osaka were great. Both were very informative and did a great job. Our favorite thing was visiting Nara and seeing the deer and the big Buddha statue. But we really loved the whole trip.

Hotel Reviews
Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
Tokyo

Breakfast buffet was great. Our room was small but we were out running around most of the time so it was okay. Very convenient location close to the train station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean but room was a little small so not the most comfortable
Aura Tachibana
Hakone

Room was great and staff was very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
kyoto

Great rooms and service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel
Osaka

Hotel was okay. Next to a train station but there isn't much else touristy in the area so had to take a train 30 minutes to see anything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kelly Lu
Kelly
Kelly Lu
Local specialist in Bangkok | Replied on Sep 21, 2023

Dear Shannon,

Thank you so much for sharing your happy and memorable experience.
It brings us great joy to know that you enjoyed your time, and we are especially delighted to hear that the lovely deer in Nara was your favorite an we all love them very much. It's always rewarding to help create memorable experiences for travelers like yourself.

Thanks a lot for your detailed comments about the hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka which will help a lot for us to choose better and more suitable... read more

Dear Shannon,

Thank you so much for sharing your happy and memorable experience.
It brings us great joy to know that you enjoyed your time, and we are especially delighted to hear that the lovely deer in Nara was your favorite an we all love them very much. It's always rewarding to help create memorable experiences for travelers like yourself.

Thanks a lot for your detailed comments about the hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka which will help a lot for us to choose better and more suitable hotels for our travelers. The hotel room in Japan is usually smaller than the ones in other western countries and thanks a lot for your understanding.

My warmest regards and best wishes,
Kelly

A good trip.
Japan | Jun 17 - Jul 1, 2023

David
David B.
Brighton, CO | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

The planning allowed us to see and interact with all the places and events we requested. The travel agents were able to accommodate our specific hotel requests. The guides throughout the trips were professional, knowledgeable, and able to react quickly to help us adjust to changes.

The planning was good overall but missed some critical local information like the availability days to attend an event and details of moving our luggage with us throughout the country. They would benefit from... read more

The planning allowed us to see and interact with all the places and events we requested. The travel agents were able to accommodate our specific hotel requests. The guides throughout the trips were professional, knowledgeable, and able to react quickly to help us adjust to changes.

The planning was good overall but missed some critical local information like the availability days to attend an event and details of moving our luggage with us throughout the country. They would benefit from input from a local travel agent more familiar with Japan. The agents were quick to help fix issues and maintained good contact with us throughout the trip.

Overall we loved the trip and will certainly consider using KimKim again.

Activity Reviews
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto

The bamboo forest was awe-inspiring to walk through. The scenic railway ride was fun but I could have skipped it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo

Great experience but be prepared to walk a lot in Tokyo.

Full Day Ghibli Museum and Pokemon Center Tour
Tokyo

Fascinating walk through the vision of creative artists.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Arakurayama Sengen Park Tour
Tokyo

We started the day with a cloud bank covering the top half of the mountain. By the afternoon, the clouds had moved off, and the full majesty of Mt Fuji was revealed!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

A fun way to learn about Japanese history.

Geisha Dinner Show
Kyoto

The Geisha was very knowledgeable of Japanese history and also America. She was a delight to interact with and highly entertaining. The multi-course meal was spectacular!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half Day Katana Maker Experience in Kameoka
Kyoto

The boys loved this event! Talk about getting a hands-on experience with a uniquely Japanese cultural event.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Osaka

I loved seeing the heritage of Osaka. Fascinating to learn more about the differences across Japanese cities. The ancient merchants of Osaka vs. the ancient samurai of Tokyo.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Kobe Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and Himeji Castle Tour
Osaka

The sake history museums were fantastic. Well designed to help any audience grasp the work, tools, and techniques of sake brewing. The Himeji castle was the most amazing of them all! The volunteer guide was so knowledgeable he enhanced the experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Shikinaen Garden and Prefectural Museum Tour
Naha

The gardens of the ancient Ryukyu kings was magnificent. I am sure it must have had a powerful impact on their visitors. The cultural influences of many countries were impactful to the people of Okinawa. What a great learning experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kelly Lu
Kelly
Kelly Lu
Local specialist in Bangkok | Replied on Jul 15, 2023

Hi David,

Thank you so much for sharing your happy and memorable experience and thoughtful feedback. It’s our great honor and pleasure to customize and arrange your family tour to Japan. Your thoughtful and detailed feedback will bring us to understand more about the travelers’ idea and impression on the culture and nature in Japan. We really appreciate it.

Welcome you and your family back to Japan again in the future and there are more things for you to explore in different season.

All the best,
Kelly

Great time!
Thailand | May 31 - Jun 9, 2023

A
Anna D.
Newburgh, NY | Reviewed on Jun 16, 2023

I connected with Kelly on Kimkim and she helped me plan a fun and relaxing trip to Thailand. From the start, Kelly gave me a great itinerary. There were some things I wanted to do, and she was able to make it fit into the itinerary. I was also picky with my hotels, but Kelly was patient and helped me find the perfect ones! My tour guide in Bangkok, Tammy, was very friendly and helpful. She was very knowledgeable on the history of Thailand and on the temples we visited. Vicky, my tour guide in... read more

I connected with Kelly on Kimkim and she helped me plan a fun and relaxing trip to Thailand. From the start, Kelly gave me a great itinerary. There were some things I wanted to do, and she was able to make it fit into the itinerary. I was also picky with my hotels, but Kelly was patient and helped me find the perfect ones! My tour guide in Bangkok, Tammy, was very friendly and helpful. She was very knowledgeable on the history of Thailand and on the temples we visited. Vicky, my tour guide in Chiang Mai, was also great! She was able to show me the area and how it’s different than Bangkok. She also gave great recommendations on what to do during my free time. Overall fantastic experience!

Local specialist: Kelly Lu
Kelly
Kelly Lu
Local specialist in Bangkok | Replied on Jul 10, 2023

Dear Anna,

Hope you have fantastic time.

It’s our great honor and pleasure to customize and arrange your birthday trip to Thailand and thanks a lot for your feedback with satisfaction to the itinerary and praise to the guides in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and we really appreciate it.

Meanwhile we will pass your praise to Tammy in Bangkok and Vicky in Chiang Mai. Our team are proud of them. I believe they have more chance to be honored with Top 10 tour guides.

Best wishes as always from Thailand,
Kelly