Women's Spaces: All-Female Communities Flourish in China

A Growing Trend of Women-Only Co-Living Spaces in China

In a quiet cottage nestled in the countryside of Zhejiang province, laughter echoes as women gather around a board game and share cups of coffee. This is one of many women-only co-living spaces that are gaining popularity across China. These spaces offer a refuge from societal pressures and male judgment, allowing women to connect, support one another, and express themselves freely.

Participants describe these environments as safe havens where they can talk openly about personal matters, seek companionship, or escape from harassment. For Zhang Wenjing, 43, the sense of security provided by an all-women setting is invaluable. “Among women, we talk more easily about certain things,” she says. Similarly, Chen Fangyan, 28, finds comfort in not having to worry about men’s presence. “Not being forced to wear a bra is already a kind of freedom,” she adds.

The demand for single-gender spaces—ranging from bars and gyms to hostels and co-working hubs—is on the rise in China. As women gain greater economic independence, they are increasingly seeking environments that provide both mental peace and physical safety.

One such space is "Keke's Imaginative Space," where participants pay 30 yuan ($4.17) per night, with rates increasing to 80 yuan from the fourth day onward. The founder, Chen Yani, known as “Keke,” was inspired to create this space after experiencing workplace harassment. “I encountered various degrees of harassment from men, to the point where I often found myself unable to work normally,” she recalls. Her vision was to build a place where she could feel safe and relaxed, free from apprehension.

Chen began by renovating a house in Lin’an, a suburb of Hangzhou. She initially promoted the space through Xiaohongshu, a social media platform similar to Instagram, during the Chinese New Year holiday. Twelve women attended, some looking for a change of scenery, others seeking to escape intrusive questions from family members about marriage and children.

“Within the family, women often have to take care of grandparents, children, and household chores. Not to mention work responsibilities,” Chen explains. “They need a place where they don’t have to play a role and can just be themselves.”

Yuan Xiaoqian, 29, a participant, notes that women’s growing economic independence and access to education are expanding their options. “They can focus more on themselves... and on new needs,” she says. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu are also helping women discover alternative lifestyles and community opportunities.

In Xiuxi, a village in Zhejiang, Yang Yun opened “Her Space” in June to provide women with a “spiritual haven.” With rustic furniture and calligraphy adorning the walls, the space feels like a boutique hotel. Yang’s goal is to ensure that women always have a place to turn to, whether they lose their jobs, face family conflicts, or feel overwhelmed by city life. “It gives them mental strength,” she says.

So far, 120 women have paid the 3,980-yuan membership fee to join the rapidly growing club. While the number of visitors varies, Yang emphasizes that the mere existence of the space is meaningful.

Addressing Criticisms and Fostering Empathy

Critics argue that single-gender communities may foster division between men and women. However, Chen Yani insists that her space does not harbor antipathy toward men. Instead, she believes that women deserve the right to their own spaces. “Women constitute a social group with shared life trajectories and problems. It's often easier for them to understand each other and show empathy,” she explains.

Although Keke's Imaginative Space has yet to turn a profit, Chen remains committed to its mission. “As long as there's demand, this place will continue to exist,” she says.

Lilith Jiang, founder of the all-women cultural space “Half the Sky” in Beijing, agrees that these community-oriented facilities fill a critical gap. “Men have plenty of opportunities to socialise, while drinking or while exercising,” she notes. “Women don't have that.”

Jiang also highlights the potential of non-traditional structures for single women concerned about aging alone. “Women are constantly told: 'If you don't get married, what will become of you when you get older?'” she says. “But long-term, all-female shared co-living spaces where women can grow old together could be a solution.”