Japanese travel lover now calls China home

Since April, Deguchi Kana from Japan has been mixing business with pleasure. Love of travel and interest in China's history and culture has driven her to take a job in the Chinese tourism industry.

Kana, in her early 30s, speaks fluent Mandarin and is working as a trainer in Shanghai at Ctrip, a Chinese online travel agency.

"Working at a travel agency attracted me, as it gives me some insider benefits," Kana says, adding that one such boon is helping her become a wise traveler, learning how to make trips cheaper and more cheerful, such as finding the optimal time to book budget hotels.