by Morgan Strychalski
Hi, I’m Morgan! I was adopted at seven months old from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. I recently returned from a Province Tour hosted by CCAI and The Park Adoption Community. Over the years, I’ve been back twice through The Park programs — in 2007 on the Grand Tour with my family and in 2014 for the Adoptees Giving Back Orphanage Service Trip. I also attended Adopteen Camp-Conferences summers from 2008–2014, connecting with other adoptees and building a supportive community.
By 2025, it had been over a decade since my last trip. With my 30th birthday falling at the end of this tour, it felt like the perfect reason to return — waking up on my birthday in the province where my story began.
I traveled with a small group of nine women — four adoptees, four moms, and my aunt — who quickly became like family. This was my third trip to China, so I was excited and relaxed; it was more about noticing small details — like leaving the hotel key in the wall to turn on the electricity — than nerves. Moving between hotels and living out of our suitcases wasn’t always easy, but each stop brought new experiences, connections, and memories that made the trip unforgettable.
Day 1: The Journey Begins (November 22–23)
Because of the time change, our trip technically began on November 22nd. My mom, aunt, and I woke up at 3 a.m. to catch a flight from Denver to Seattle, then took a 13-hour flight across the Pacific to Shanghai. Between movies, naps, and airline meals, the hours slowly passed as we made our way toward China. Crossing the International Date Line meant we skipped ahead a day, and after a short layover, we caught a final flight to Nanchang, landing around 11 p.m.
Exhausted from nearly a full day of travel, we went straight to our hotel and fell asleep. There wasn’t much excitement during the flights, but even a quiet travel day has its own kind of thrill.
Day 2: Our First Day Exploring Nanchang (November 24)
Our first morning in China began with breakfast at the hotel — a savory spread of noodles, dim sum, fresh fruit, and hot dishes. One of my favorites was a chicken and corn dumpling!
This was also when we met the rest of our group. There were nine of us in total — four adoptees, four moms, and my aunt —we introduced ourselves and shared where we had traveled from.
After breakfast, we boarded the bus for our first full day of sightseeing in Nanchang. Our first stop was Tengwang Pavilion, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. We explored each level while our guide, Yolanda, shared the history.
In the afternoon, we visited Bayi Square, a popular photo spot, and finished the day by exploring a nearby outlet area before heading back to the hotel.
The schedule was intentionally relaxed since many of us were still tired from the long journey, allowing us to rest and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Day 3: Waterfalls, Mountains, and the White Deer (November 25)
Today we started at Xiufeng Waterfall. As we began the hike, we learned about the traditional stone inscriptions carved directly into the rocks — Yolanda, our guide, had even written a book about them!
About halfway up, we discovered the waterfall wasn’t “in season.” The dramatic cascade we’d imagined was more like a modest trickle. The adoptees and Yolanda decided to keep going since we were already halfway, while CC, the moms, and my aunt headed back down. The hike to the top took about an hour, and though it felt challenging at the time, it quickly became one of those funny memories you can’t help laughing about later.
At the top, we took a few photos, soaked in the views, and enjoyed each other’s company before hiking back down.
In the afternoon, we visited White Deer Cave Academy. Yolanda shared the story of a scholar who once lived there and kept a white deer as a companion. After learning the story, we began noticing white deer everywhere for the rest of the trip — in figurines, pictures, and even advertisements.
That evening, we headed to our hotel in Lushan City, settling into the rhythm that would define the rest of the trip: new places, shared experiences, and a new destination each night.
Day 4: Up the Mountain to Lushan (November 26)
Today we were going to Mount Lu. Because the mountain has its own transport system, we had to leave our suitcases behind and pack everything we’d need for the night into backpacks — a little chaotic, but manageable for just one night.
The winding mountain roads offered stunning views, though the twists quickly gave me a little motion sickness. Just when I thought we’d reached the top, we learned the hotel was actually on the other side of the mountain — more curves awaited.
Once we arrived, we explored the mountaintop. The beautiful view made us feel like we were in the clouds. We also visited Mao Zedong Villa and Meilu Villa, both historic retreats for political leaders. Later, we strolled through a nearby flower garden. Though the flowers weren’t in season, the scenery was peaceful, and the crisp mountain air made the walk feel refreshing.
Lunch and dinner were family-style as usual, giving us time to relax, laugh, and reflect on the day. We squeezed in a little shopping before returning to the hotel, ready to rest after a full day of winding roads, history, and mountain views.
Day 5: Gondolas, Thanksgiving McDonald’s, and the Porcelain Capital (November 27)
This morning began on a much more pleasant note — we took gondolas down Mount Lu. The fifteen-minute ride offered stunning views of the surrounding peaks, smooth and scenic, much easier on the stomach than the twisting roads the day before.
At the bottom, we boarded the bus to Jingdezhen, a city famous for its long history of porcelain production. Our first stop was lunch at McDonald’s. It happened to be Thanksgiving back in the U.S., so we joked that our holiday meal was nuggets, fries, and an Oreo McFlurry… in China. The nuggets tasted a little healthier than back home, the crinkle-cut fries had a subtle cheesy seasoning, and the McFlurry was enormous — easily the biggest portion of dessert I’d ever seen.
After lunch, we browsed nearby shops before heading to the Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum. The museum’s collection of porcelain pieces highlighted why Jingdezhen is called the “Porcelain Capital” of China. The museum provided a guide for the tour; they knew a lot but moved quickly, so I found myself wishing for a bit more time to absorb everything. After the guided portion, we had a little time to wander on our own, admiring the craftsmanship up close.
The highlight of the day was our ceramics class. We learned to shape pottery on a spinning wheel — I was proud of the bowl I made — then painted ceramic plates and molded clay by hand. Getting to experience the process ourselves made the artistry of Jingdezhen feel even more meaningful.
To close the day, we had dinner together and shopped at local outlets before returning to the hotel. Travel, food, art, and hands-on creativity made it one of the most memorable days of the trip.
Day 6: Kilns, Hidden Symbols, and the Countryside of Wuyuan (November 28)
First stop today was the Taoyangli Historical and Cultural Tourism Area, a place deeply connected to Jingdezhen’s porcelain heritage. One of the highlights was seeing traditional kilns — many no longer in use, but a few still fire ceramics today. Standing there, I couldn’t help but marvel at the centuries of craftsmanship in the area.
Exploring the shops, I found one of my favorite souvenirs: a ceramic cup that revealed my zodiac animal when held up to the light. There were so many versions featuring different animals and symbols—a small but magical reminder of the trip.
Later, we continued by bus to Wuyuan, known as one of China’s most beautiful countryside regions. Highlights included an ancient tree adorned with countless red ribbons, and Rainbow Bridge, a historic covered bridge surrounded by scenic farmland. Walking through the area, it was easy to see why Wuyuan is considered a gem of Jiangxi Province.
After checking into our hotel, we attended a short outdoor performance about Wuyuan’s history and culture. The evening was cold, but the 40-minute show made for a memorable end to a day full of history, scenery, and small discoveries.
Day 7: Mum Tea, Photos, and Birthday Celebrations (November 29)
Today began in the countryside, wandering through a village known for chrysanthemum tea — or “mum tea,” as the locals call it. Walking around, we glimpsed daily life and browsed houses selling handmade goods. I was wearing shorts that day, and some of the locals asked if I was cold. I told them no, the sun was keeping me warm, but they still seemed concerned and showed me all the layers they were wearing, which made me feel genuinely cared for. I told my mom about it, and she shared that the same thing had happened when she first got me. It was July 1996, and the locals had tried to tell my mom to put more clothes on me, but she explained I would get too hot or even risk heat stroke. It was a small moment, but it reminded me of the care and attention the community shows to children and visitors alike.
Next, we visited Tiyun Village Shaiqui Homestead, affectionately dubbed “Photographer’s Paradise” by our guides. Everywhere we looked felt like a perfect photo opportunity — traditional houses, vibrant scenery, and the charm of the countryside made it impossible not to stop and snap dozens of pictures. Despite the crowds of other visitors, the village buzzed with lively energy as we roamed and captured memories.
Dinner that evening was a special treat. The hotel restaurant prepared a spread of our favorite dishes, and in a delightful coincidence, another traveler in the group shared a birthday the next day. The staff surprised us both with longevity noodles, a Chinese tradition where long noodles symbolize a long, healthy life, and a small cake. It was thoughtful, joyful, and a perfect way to end a day filled with vibrant scenery, photography, and celebration — the perfect lead-in to my own birthday the next day.
Day 8: A Golden Birthday and Farewells (November 30)
I woke up that morning feeling genuinely happy — it was my golden birthday! Turning 30 on the 30th, and in my birth province no less, felt surreal. Being back in Jiangxi, the place where my story began, made the milestone even more meaningful.
The day was mostly spent traveling. We caught an early bullet train back to Shanghai, enjoying the smooth ride and reflecting on an incredible week. Arriving in the city, it was time to say goodbye to the group. After sharing so many meals, adventures, and laughs, parting ways was bittersweet.
For me, the celebration didn’t end there. I was heading to Shanghai Disneyland with the other traveler who shared my birthday — a portion of the trip I had planned myself. While The Park helped with transportation, I booked the hotel and bought the Disneyland tickets on my own. It was the perfect way to cap off an unforgettable trip: a personal, magical celebration to mark my golden birthday.
Reflections on the Trip
Looking back on the week, what stands out most isn’t just the landmarks we visited, the food we ate, or the beautiful scenery of Jiangxi Province. It’s the small threads woven through each day — the white deer that appeared everywhere after our visit to White Deer Cave Academy, the shared meals with my travel family, the laughter on winding mountain roads, and the quiet moments of reflection in the countryside.
Returning to my birth province for my 30th birthday reminded me of the importance of connection — to my roots, to my family, and to the wider adoptee community. It was a week full of joy, discovery, and meaningful experiences that I’ll carry with me forever.
Whether it’s your first visit or your third, Jiangxi has a way of leaving little surprises around every corner. Moments like these stick with you, creating memories that make a lifetime of reflection feel richer. For anyone considering a heritage trip, there’s nothing quite like waking up in the place where your story began and seeing the world through both the lens of the past and the excitement of the present.
