In the picturesque city of Lijiang, in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, a beacon of hope and safety for women travellers has been lit. A 37-year-old woman surnamed Lu, who owns four hotels in the city, has transformed one of her establishments into an exclusive bed and breakfast for women. This initiative, launched in June, has been receiving considerable praise on social media platforms for its commitment to protecting women from romantic frauds.
Lijiang, often dubbed the “city of romantic encounters,” is a popular destination for travellers seeking love. However, Lu’s decision to create a women-only retreat was triggered by an unsettling incident. In an interview with Chinese video outlet Souhu Qianliyan, Lu narrated how a female guest at her hotel fell victim to a love scam, perpetrated by a male guest who was later arrested for fraud.
Reflecting on the traumatic episode, Lu expressed her dissatisfaction with Lijiang’s reputation as a city for finding love, pointing out the darker side of its fame involving one-night stands and romantic scams that prey on lonely women. Lu questioned, “I wonder why Lijiang is seen this way?”
Indeed, the city’s romantic image, bolstered by television shows like the 2004 series One Metre Sunshine, often contrasts with its reality. According to Lu, it is more likely for women to encounter predatory men in Lijiang than to find true love. She shared her experience of cautioning female guests against men seeking to exploit them and revealed that she had even expelled male guests for such behavior.
In a bid to provide a safe and comfortable environment for female travellers, Lu’s women-only hotel offers rooms starting from 400 yuan (US$55) per night. It also provides single-use toiletry and personal hygiene supplies tailored to women’s needs and offers a unique service to ensure guests safely return to their accommodation late at night.
Lu’s women-centric venture resonates with her desire for single women visiting Lijiang to return home with pleasant experiences rather than traumatic ones. Her initiative has been met with positive reactions on social media. One woman said, “I really like this idea. It can save me a lot of trouble and unwanted male gazes.” Another added, “Thumbs-up for the owner’s safety awareness. She puts the experience of her guests before profit,” highlighting the public’s appreciation for Lu’s commitment to female safety and comfort.
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