Women in China 2019

The first Women in China trip for our community was in 2012. The next journey was in 2017. In April of 2019, the next group of adventurers will head to Beijing. Our trips have included women from Boston, Los Angeles, Baltimore, New York, San Francisco and West Palm Beach, but the greatest number are from West Hartford. Some travel as mother and daughter pairs, others as friends, sisters or wives. Many join the trip as single travelers. Doctors, lawyers, retirees, teachers, students, consultants and administrators. Those who work in the office and those who work at home.

Why just women? Together we forge friendships and build bonds that last a lifetime. When we travel together as women, we are our best, and true, selves. We are relaxed and adventurous, silly and serious. Our experiences are richer together. We climb up mountains. We relax with a foot massage. We witness the wonders of a new land, together.

China is an incredibly diverse nation. As trip organizer and leader, I try to give participants the full picture of what, and who, is China. Have you imagined walking on the Great Wall? Scratch that off the bucket list. Want to walk in the footsteps of 24 emperors in the Forbidden City? Check that box. Does a cooking class in the Chinese countryside sound intriguing? Let’s do it! Would you like to witness the beauty of the terraced rice fields or the splendor of the lights on the Shanghai evening skyline? It’s in the itinerary.

The next women’s adventure is April 28, 2019 - May 12, 2019. The trip includes Beijing (Great Wall, Forbidden City), Xian (Terra-cotta Warriors, Mount Hua), Yangshuo (river raft ride, ancient caves), Longsheng (rice terraces), Hangzhou (gardens; tea farms) and Shanghai (hustle and bustle of the big city). There will be an informational meeting for interested women to hear about the trip, eat dumplings and learn how to use chopsticks: Sunday, 11/18/18 at 11 am. If you can't make the meeting, call or email get together individually at a mutually convenient time. Please RSVP for meeting location: chowfuntours@comcast.net.

Article and pictures by: Lauren Drazen

Lauren Drazen is a lifetime educator and Sinophile. She taught Chinese in public high school for 12 years and has led hundreds of people through China. Visit us at chowfuntours.com.