The impact of Mei Zhang is celebrated across sectors, moving the needle in sustainable tourism and academic research to social media influencing. Her many pursuits render her a distinctive character, bridging the gap between entrepreneurial achievement and academic research, all the while building a social media following of her own. See below for more of her life and career in the public eye.
Table of Contents
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Mei Zhang |
| Date of Birth | 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Yunnan Province, China |
| Education | MBA from Harvard Business School; PhD candidate at UC Berkeley (Environmental Science) |
| Professional Background | Former Consultant at McKinsey & Company |
| Founder and Role | Founder & Chairlady of WildChina (Luxury adventure travel company) |
| Notable Awards | – National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth” – Travel + Leisure’s A-List – Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist |
| Published Work | Travels through Dali: with a Leg of Ham (2016) |
| Research Focus | Sustainable tourism, environmental conservation (Tea Horse Trail project) |
| Social Media Influence | Over 1 million followers on platforms like Little Red Book (RED), WeChat, and TikTok |
| Content Focus | Luxury lifestyle, monthly spending breakdowns, sustainable travel |
| Residence | New York City, U.S. |
| Family Background | Parents live in Boston; speculation about family wealth but details undisclosed |
| Frequent Travel | Travels between New York and Boston; owns property in Chicago |
| Business Influence | Pioneer in sustainable tourism in China |
| Key Social Media Platforms | Little Red Book (RED), WeChat, TikTok |
Read more: Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneur — Mei Zhang
Most of you will know Mei Zhang as the founder and Chairlady of WildChina, a luxury adventure travel company founded in 2000. Mei was born in Yunnan province, China and she completed her MBA from Harvard Business School before starting with her entrepreneurial path. A background in business from her early professional career at McKinsey & Company set a precedent, of sorts, but it was working with The Nature Conservancy that inspired Peppiatt to begin a new venture — one focused specifically around sustainable travel.
WildChina was awarded as the “Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure since Mei took over. What sets Mei apart is her holistic vision of sustainability, through which she offers premium options for eco-travel to allow travelers to appreciate the natural beauty of China and promote responsible tourism. She also has been recognized as a top destination specialist by both Travel + Leisure, for its A-List, and Condé Nast Traveler in its Top Travel Specialist list.
Mei’s impact doesn’t stop at her entrepreneurial efforts. She is an Aspen Institute China Fellow and a regular speaker at sustainable tourism conferences. In her book, Travels through Dali: with a Leg of Ham (2016) she recounts her journey discovering the cultural and natural treasures of Yunnan that also served as a testament to her contributions to travel writing.
Zhang Started an Academic_rhoCareer
In addition to her business success, Mei Zhang is studying environmental science for a PhD at the University of California — Berkeley. The research is set to uncover whether it could be viable to create hiking routes along the ancient Tea Horse Trail — a question poised at the intersection of her academic interests and personal fondness for responsible travel. That project mirrored her ongoing effort of environmental preservation, striving to find solutions that balance economic advances with nature protection.
It is ironic that another person doing well in academic research named Mei Zhang (徐州) lives in Suzhou, China. This is an independent researcher with a PhD from Exeter University, Mei Zhang who researches on China-GCC relations especially in Dubai Economic Development. In doing so, they enter an academic landscape already dotted with scholars named Mei Zhang and contribute to our knowledge of the expanding economic relations between China and the Gulf.
Mei Zhang — The Social Media Influencer
Mei Zhang has used her following on social media to build a successful brand. Since 2020, she had been an active figure on platforms such as Little Red Book (RED) and WeChat, sharing her experience and thoughts of the upper-middle-class life. With a growing social Media following over 1 million people and counting, she shares the limelight with her luxurious living as well as awareness in sustainable tourism.
She also LOTS of monthly spend videos like this one from August 2024 where she spent over $107,000 in ONE MONTH! Fans and detractors alike turned their heads at her frankness when she revealed the cost of enjoying wealthy life; Although there are viewers who praise her for the way she handles her funds, others believe her lifestyle has been exaggerated to maintain a mysterious facade around her family’s alleged massive wealth.
However, despite the curiosity, Mei is pretty secretive about her family. She has also mentioned their wealth, leading her one million plus followers to guess at what kinds of businesses her parents in Boston might be associated with — ByteDance, the Chinese parent company behind TikTok, for instance. However, Mei himself has yet to confirm nor deny the allegations — providing a layer of mystique towards his wealthy status symbol.
A Life in New York City
A new inhabitant in New York City, Mei Zhang leads a life of luxury and entrepreneurial zeal while dealing with the stresses of being an immigrant. As well as her social media following she carries on working in sustainable tourism and doing further academic research. The blend of high-living and eco-consciousness makes her a socialite like no other, in that she is not just about the top-dollar—you could say there’s little green to be found in her garden—but also aims to leave the world in better shape than when she arrived.
Mei, who splits time between New York and Boston — home to her parents — also has boasted about property ownership (a place in Chicago) adding to the perception. While soulmategate was obviously juicy gossip, Mei is still an industry influencer in her own right.
Conclusion
Mei Zhang is a powerhouse doing sustainable tourism, academic research and social media influencing. She started WildChina in 2000, defining the adventure travel industry and promoting global sustainability. You can see her dedication to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions also in the accomplishments she gained through her academic career. In the meantime, as her following continues to grow on social media, Mei melds her luxury lifestyle with professional quality across both platforms. As controversial as her personal life might be, Mei Zhang is a multi-tiered modern entrepreneurial and influential icon.
Social Accounts
FAQs-
Who is the CEO of WildChina?
The CEO of WildChina is Albert Ng. He works alongside the founder and Chairlady, Mei Zhang, to lead the company in sustainable travel and experiential tourism.
What nationality is Mei?
Mei Zhang is Chinese. She is originally from Yunnan province in southwest China.
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