ChinaChina

EcotourismEcotourism

Ecotourism background infoEcotourism background info

Based upon the observation and Based upon the observation and appreciation of wildlifeappreciation of wildlife

Low impact: sensitive architecture, local Low impact: sensitive architecture, local food, local guides etcfood, local guides etc

Involves the local community as much as Involves the local community as much as possible.possible.

Income generated from ecotourism is used Income generated from ecotourism is used to preserve wild area or provide revenue to preserve wild area or provide revenue for the localsfor the locals

Yunnan provinceYunnan province

A good example…A good example…

Information about the areaInformation about the area Lake Lashi Watershed is on Lake Lashi Watershed is on

the southeastern slopes of the southeastern slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It was established as a nature It was established as a nature reserve by the Yunnan reserve by the Yunnan provincial government. provincial government.

Lake Lashi is 2500 m above Lake Lashi is 2500 m above sea level and is home to many sea level and is home to many migratory species of birds. It is migratory species of birds. It is also home to one of the rare also home to one of the rare water lilies. The mountains water lilies. The mountains support many variations of support many variations of plant and animal species.plant and animal species.

There are 14 different There are 14 different culturally different ethnic culturally different ethnic minority groups living in the minority groups living in the areaarea

What you can doWhat you can do 3-4 hour treks to Naxi village through alpine and rhododendron 3-4 hour treks to Naxi village through alpine and rhododendron

forest forest  Views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from shores of alpine lakeViews of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from shores of alpine lake Demonstration of alternative energy and waste management Demonstration of alternative energy and waste management

installation (e.g., biogas, greenhouse, solar heating, water installation (e.g., biogas, greenhouse, solar heating, water purification)purification)

Day hikes from lodge around Wenhai Lake, to Jade Dragon Day hikes from lodge around Wenhai Lake, to Jade Dragon snowline, to surrounding Yi villages, birdwatching (December to snowline, to surrounding Yi villages, birdwatching (December to April)April)

Traditional Naxi architecture and mealsTraditional Naxi architecture and meals Horse-supported guided treks from 2-5 daysHorse-supported guided treks from 2-5 days Numerous trailheads and trekking itineraries available with easyNumerous trailheads and trekking itineraries available with easy

accessibility from Lijiangaccessibility from Lijiang See and learn about the wildlife and cultures See and learn about the wildlife and cultures

WildlifeWildlife

Wenhai ecolodgeWenhai ecolodge the Wenhai Ecolodge is a scenic, the Wenhai Ecolodge is a scenic,

peaceful mountain retreat. peaceful mountain retreat. Comfortable, rustic lodging Comfortable, rustic lodging

facilities for up to 17 people:facilities for up to 17 people: 8 double occupancy rooms and 1 8 double occupancy rooms and 1

single occupancy room, including single occupancy room, including deluxe rooms with lake or deluxe rooms with lake or mountain viewsmountain views

Shared bathrooms Shared bathrooms  Retrofitted with alternative energy Retrofitted with alternative energy

unitunit Large courtyard and outside sitting Large courtyard and outside sitting

areaarea Large kitchen/dining area Large kitchen/dining area  Traditional Naxi architecture and Traditional Naxi architecture and

mealsmeals

Why is this ecotourism?Why is this ecotourism? EconomicEconomic the company donate 10% of their net profit to a conservation and the company donate 10% of their net profit to a conservation and

community development fund. community development fund. Only locals employed, which leads to the multiplier effect and Only locals employed, which leads to the multiplier effect and

reduces leakage.reduces leakage. Food is all local so none has to be importedFood is all local so none has to be imported

EnvironmentalEnvironmental Less destruction as locals do not seek income through destructive Less destruction as locals do not seek income through destructive

activities such as charcoal-making, hunting, illegal logging and activities such as charcoal-making, hunting, illegal logging and fishing because tourism provides jobs. fishing because tourism provides jobs.

Alternative energy and waste management, minimising impact at Alternative energy and waste management, minimising impact at ecolodgeecolodge

Tourists learn about the wildlife, which are now protected.Tourists learn about the wildlife, which are now protected. Tourists walk or use horses, very little use of vehicles.Tourists walk or use horses, very little use of vehicles.

Why ecotourism?Why ecotourism?

SocialSocial Locals can learn skills: Managers and employees are Locals can learn skills: Managers and employees are

local community members who benefit directly through local community members who benefit directly through skills training such as nature guiding, hospitality services, skills training such as nature guiding, hospitality services, business management and English language.  business management and English language.  

Community-owned and managed, enabling the Community-owned and managed, enabling the community to direct and influence the development of community to direct and influence the development of tourism in their area, and keeping the majority of income tourism in their area, and keeping the majority of income earned within the community. earned within the community.

Benefited local economyBenefited local economy

Why ecotourism?Why ecotourism?

CulturalCultural Seeing the interest and enthusiasm that visitors have for Seeing the interest and enthusiasm that visitors have for

learning about local cultural traditions and heritage, the learning about local cultural traditions and heritage, the value of this cultural heritage increases among value of this cultural heritage increases among community members.community members.

Within the villages a community vision has been Within the villages a community vision has been discussed by community members to identify cultural discussed by community members to identify cultural traditions that they wish to preserve.  With these traditions that they wish to preserve.  With these guidelines in place, the impact of tourism on traditional guidelines in place, the impact of tourism on traditional customs can be measured and controls can be customs can be measured and controls can be established if it is determined that tourism is having an established if it is determined that tourism is having an negative effect on the local cultures.  negative effect on the local cultures.