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What is From Roots to Bridges?

We host immersive, small group trips and private trips to China (and beyond) to create a community that seeks to learn about overseas Chinese history, engages in dialogue about culture and identity, build friendships with fellow travelers and locals to bridge their multicultural identity. Beyond those with roots in China, we welcome ANYONE interested in visiting China (and beyond) to join us. Whether it’s learning about food and history of the Silk Road or hiking through minority villages of Guizhou & Yunnan. 

 

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Meet the Founders

Grace was born in the US to a family of Chinese immigrants from Fuzhou, Fujian. Her first trip to China was when she was 6 years old but she didn’t gain a true appreciation for China until visiting in 2023. Grace previously worked at Google and Salesforce. Grace loves building community, having cofounded a community for aspiring PMs named Product Buds and organizing events for Asians in Marketing at Google. She has traveled to 16 countries and is fluent in English and Fuzhounese while improving her Mandarin. 

Yongjian was born in Jinan, Shandong and immigrated to the US with his family at age 9. He spent his summers visiting his grandparents, giving him an appreciation for Chinese culture and language. Yongjian graduated from Stanford University and previously worked at UC Davis, managing a portfolio of 10+ study abroad programs. Prior to that, he lived in Almaty, Kazakhstan for 2 years as a Princeton in Asia fellow. He has traveled to 40+ countries and is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Spanish. He loves learning languages and getting to know people from around the world. He is also a huge foodie and an aspiring chef!

How It Started

In December 2023, we took a self-organized three-week heritage trip to our ancestral hometowns in China. ​​Planning a trip to China wasn’t easy for us - we had many challenges (visas, setting up payments, etc), but the experience was life-changing because we were exposed to the cultural, historical, and culinary diversity of China. We want to help you overcome these challenges in your journey to reconnect with your heritage homeland.​​ 

Why Travel With Us

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Authentic & Culturally Immersive 

Each itinerary is a living story—written with regional dishes, friendships with locals, and hands-on traditional activities that pull you deeper into the heartbeat of a culture. 

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Small Cohorts, Lifelong Friendships

Small cohorts, profound bonds—each journey is designed to unravel stories, both yours and theirs, sparking connections that outlast the experience itself.

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Off the Beaten Path Experiences

Our experiences are not to your typical travel destinations. We believe that  true discovery begins where the crowds end—where landscapes, traditions, and human connections remain raw, real, and unforgettable.

What Our Travelers Say 

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 Beverly 🇺🇸🇨🇳

Grace and Yongjian went above and beyond in this Homecoming Guangdong trip. From the initial calls where they got to know my background and goals for the trip, to creating a  schedule that explored many places in the entire province. They were able to find my family's ancestral temple and people associated to my family that I did not know, incredibly and unexpectedly. From tourist sites to off the tourist path, we saw the range of offerings. I loved meeting local people so I can continue to practice Chinese and learn about everyday Chinese life. They are also amazing company to be around on this extensive trip. Thank you both for a life changing trip through China for the first time. 
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Aline 🇫🇷

Although I had already spent a month traveling in China before joining Grace and Yongjian, the road trip I took with them to Kaiping and Jiangmen was unforgettable. Traveling in China without speaking Mandarin can be challenging and exhausting. But with Grace and Yongjian, everything went smoothly as we explored remote villages, interacted with locals, and enjoyed authentic Cantonese dishes. Their deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture made the experience enriching, relaxing, and well-organized, yet flexible. Above all, Grace and Yongjian are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Their energy and love for sharing their culture made the whole experience so special.

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Max & Nikki 🇩🇪

We had traveled to China independently before. This time, we wanted to delve deeper and get to know aspects of the country that remained closed to us as solo travelers without a Chinese driver's license and language skills. Grace and Yongjian organized a road trip to the less touristy province of Guizhou. They took us to remote villages, hidden viewpoints and neighborhood restaurants that we would never have reached on our own. The trip was characterized by their enthusiasm for the country, its people and food, as well as the very personal stories and experiences they shared. It was like a road trip with friends; except we didn't have to take care of anything ourselves.
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Jurrien & Sandra 🇳🇱

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN.  Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well. 
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Sebastien 🇪🇸

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends. 
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Angela & Yang 🇩🇪

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!
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Matt 🇺🇸

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!
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 Ted (Aug '24) 🇺🇸

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement
with the communities they visit.
I would definitely go on another trip with them!
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From Roots to Bridges

© 2025 by From Roots to Bridges

From Roots

to Bridges

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