YOUNG women in the suburbs often have nothing to do in their free time due to a lack of entertainment facilities. A new club in Shanghai's Pujiang area is trying to change this, offering a rich variety of activities. Hu Min reports.

Young mothers in the suburbs often lead a somewhat tedious life. They cook and clean and do the lion's share of raising the family's child. They often have few leisure options available due to a lack of nearby facilities.

Pujiang area in Shanghai's Minhang District is trying to change this.

Recently, the town's women's salon was launched incorporating a variety of programs from art appreciation to equestrian classes. The idea is to enrich the lives of young mothers, according to the organizer, the town's women's federation.

Wu Xiangchun says the salon has made a big difference in her life.

In her 30s, Wu once spent all her time taking care of her son. Now, because of the salon, she takes various courses from horse-riding and music appreciation to makeup and dancing.

"I feel that my life has been suddenly enlightened," she says, smiling.

Wu lives in Yusong Village. About two years ago, her family was relocated to a modern residential community. Of course, they received a hefty sum of money for relocating. Her husband operates a hardware accessories company, but she quit her job to concentrate on their family. The family also owns a car.

"I got bored with such a lifestyle, but there was no outlet (to explore some fun)," she says. She was confined to a small area around her home.

Wu is typical of the women who live in the city's rural areas. Living in the city's outskirts, they already have a comfortable life due to the city's fast development, but they don't feel "complete." They feel that there is more to life than just cooking, cleaning and picking up their child from school. However, these areas often don't have cinemas, libraries and other cultural facilities.

The relatively far distance from downtown Shanghai and their low education hamper them from pursuing hobbies.

Gu Lanping, chairwoman of the Pujiang Town Women's Federation says the only entertainment option for women in the region is dining at restaurants. In these neighborhoods, the construction of cultural and entertainment facilities lags far behind. The only cinema doesn't screen the latest movies and there is no karaoke venue, no pub and not even a shopping mall.

"We don't want to create another 'seniors' club as they ignore the desire of youngsters," Gu said. She hopes to attract more young mothers to participate, as they are the "backbone" of society.

Since set up in March, the salon hosts high-end programs targeting younger women. It started with a lecture by Xu Peina, who was crowned "China's silk scarf queen."

Xu taught a variety of ways to tie silk scarves during the class. It was a big hit. Since then, an activity has been held every weekend. It can be anything from cultivating beauty and children's education to art and music appreciation. Acclaimed musicians and experts in each area are invited to perform or give lectures. There has also been a wine-tasting event and a discussion on managing finances.

The salon now has 102 members. All of them were born after 1980. They pay 200 yuan (US$32.25) per month to participate in the activities.

A side benefit of joining is that members often form friendships with other women they have something in common with.

The second phase of the project will start next month. It will last nine months and will include three themes - visual art, music and physical beauty. Latin dances, folk dances, singing, horsemanship, painting, calligraphy and photography classes will be involved.

"Initially, we helped members get a basic understanding of different arts," Gu said. "Now they will be invited to gain a deeper understanding in each area."

Support from men

The salon has also won support from men. Gu said many members' husbands drive their wives to the various activities and pick them up afterwards.

Wu said she sought her husband's opinion before joining. "My husband stopped complaining that I live a too comfortable life, and he is happy that I have an outlet for self-cultivation," Wu says. She says she once thought of visiting discos or dancing clubs because she likes dancing, but her husband didn't allow it out of fear an extramarital affair would start, she said, joking.

Gu says in an area where women on average have a lower cultural education background than their urban counterparts, it is "easier" to conduct cultural activities. Almost no member skips classes.

Any woman living in the region can join. But anyone who misses a course often will be "expelled." They also get inquiries from women who live in other areas that want to join. Gu says if resources are efficient, they will let these women join.

Equestrian class is one of the highlights. It is held once every two months. Ten people, plus 10 backups, will be selected among the members to comprise a team, who may eventually get to compete in nationwide dressage competitions after lots of training. It is the first class of its kind in the city's towns, as well as nationwide.

The class is held at Huihuang Horse-Riding Club in Pudong's Sanlin area, which is near Pujiang.

Chen Jiangning, general manager of the club, which has 20 coaches and about 80 horses, says riding a horse properly is not easy.

"Body proportion, height, the center of gravity, position of riding, coordination and communication with horses are some of the criteria required of a good rider," Chen says. "The ideal height is more than 1.65 or 1.7 meters, and the center of gravity should be low, and good riders should know how to establish trust with horses."

Every salon member received one-to-one training.

Gu Lili is a member of the salon and she says she hasn't missed a single class. "I am extremely extroverted and I like social activities, singing and dancing, but there is no platform," Gu Lili says. "I am so excited to participate in the salon activities."

Like other members, she say's equestrian training is the salon's biggest attraction. It's the first time she has ridden a horse. "It was a fabulous experience!" Gu Lili says. "I always dreamed of riding a horse on a vast prairie."

She has volunteered to teach women in villages about tying silk scarves after taking the first class and the idea was warmly welcomed.

Some of the better educated salon members have volunteered to teach oral English and jewelry appraisal as they work in these fields. Chairwoman Gu says these classes may be organized in the future.