Globetrotter indulges insatiable wanderlust

been closed. He said simply that he wanted to spend some time with his family. That totally changed my stereotyped image of Westerners as people who don’t care much about their families. It also made me realize that I needed to make some time for myself.”

Going freelance, she became one of the first 10 Chinese authors for Lonely Planet in 2009. So far, she has contributed to more than 20 titles for the travel guide publisher, including Shanghai, Japan and East Africa.

“It’s not an easy job,” Qian said. “Many people think travel writer must be endless fun. But it’s not. A job is a job, and this one can be tough at times.”

Daguai, Shanghai’s famous travel and food writer, is Qian’s close friend. “Women are more considerate and easy-going than men, and therefore she is suitable for her work,” he said.

Qian explained the effort that goes into making detailed itineraries on tight schedules and deciding what is most worth a visit. “I talk to everyone, from taxi drivers to hotel workers, to get an authentic overall picture of a place,” she said.

Qian also works periodically as a tour guide for a high-end tourist group. She has led tours to the island of La Reunion, to Madagascar and to the North Pole, among other destinations gaining popularity among Chinese travelers.

“I use my travel experience to guide groups,” she said. “I read a lot of books to glean information about places that will make a trip more meaningful for tourists. I want members of my tour groups to see beyond the obvious.”