10/02/2026
✨ Moments That Stay With Us ✨
Every summer, our program managers and travel team come home carrying moments they know they’ll never forget. In her own words, here’s the moment Autumn Ackerson wrote about from this year’s China Ties trip.
There’s a point during the China Ties journey when adoptees begin to settle in, take a breath, and start to process what this experience might bring up for them. 💛
After a long, hot walk through the Forbidden City, we’re met with a beautiful change of pace in Beijing’s hutongs. We ride rickshaws through the historic neighborhoods and along the river before arriving at the home of a local family who has opened their doors to us.
Over a homemade lunch, one we help prepare🥟, we share stories, learn about their family, and get a glimpse into a way of life that has been passed down through generations. Multiple generations often live together in these homes, giving us the chance to ask questions about family, community, and what it’s like to live in one of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods.
But perhaps most meaningful is the connection itself: adoptees sitting across from people who look like them, sharing a meal and having honest conversations about everyday life in China.
We’re always met with warmth, laughter, curiosity, and a welcome that stays with us long after we leave.
For many adoptees and loved ones, this becomes one of the most cherished moments of the entire trip. 🇨🇳💛
Your moment is waiting in summer 2027.
💻 Register now to secure your spot for next summer: https://www.thetiesprogram.com/china-ties-heritage-tours-summer
