Woman cycles across country in search of Mr Right

By Yang Lifei  |   2008-12-23  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE woman, who has cycled more than 2,000 kilometers from Guangzhou, southern Guangdong Province, since November 22, will arrive in Shanghai this afternoon, the final destination of her much publicized love-seeking journey.

Identifying herself as Chan Juan, the same name of the fabled fairy in the moon in the Chinese mythology, the 25-year-old woman will hold a match-making party at a local luxury hotel this Saturday to meet about 1,000 candidates for her Mr Right.

Apart from spreading her love message on the way, Chan Juan also promoted charity to help mothers in China's underdeveloped areas, according to her event planner, a man surnamed Huang. "Chan Juan is enthusiastic about public welfare. Our company decided to combine her quest for love with charity after taking all factors into consideration,'' he said.

Chan Juan told Shanghai Daily that she moved to Guangzhou with her parents when she was young. After graduating from university, she worked as a tax consultant for a renowned foreign company, earning more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,429) a month.

"At the end of 2007 my mother learnt from a newspaper that a girl found her Mr Right through ads so she urged me to do the same. That's why I came to Mr Huang and his company to find a suitable way for me to meet my soul mate,'' she said.

The woman rode about 100 kilometers every day, promoting welfare and giving media interviews in cities on route. Her criteria for an ideal husband include a body height of at least 1.73 meters, a monthly income no less than 15,000 yuan, and owning an apartment.

"Prior to the journey, I had been training for half a year to ensure that I have strength to finish the 2,000-kilometer trip," said the woman. "I spent all my savings hiring about 10 people to keep me company on the trip.''

Her effort to advertise for a husband might not work, but her goal to promote charity through news media has been accomplished. And that is enough, Chan Juan told reporters.