Bilingual guide brings the charms of Kaifeng to tourists

Pedicab operator Xu Shijie, 51, leaves for work each morning wearing his trademark red velvet waistcoat and ready to use his self-taught English skills to guide foreigners around Kaifeng, Henan province.

"Kaifeng Palace is known for being the first government office in ancient China," Xu told a foreign tourist sitting in his pedicab.

Also known by his English name - Jason - Xu has been recommended by Lonely Planet China, a travel guidebook, as a good resource to help visitors get acquainted with the ancient city.