Yunnan

country:	China
location:	Northwest Yunnan
price:	From $20 per person per night

description

With Wenhai Lake near its front steps and the peaks of Jade Dragon in the background, the Wenhai Ecolodge is a scenic, peaceful mountain retreat. Recently renovated, updated with sustainable energy systems, and community-operated, the Ecolodge is a unique experience in all of China. Your trek to the Ecolodge takes you from the Lijiang Valley to Upper Wenhai village.

Located in a converted Naxi courtyard house, the Wenhai Ecolodge provides a great base for day hikes around the lake, to the upper slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or to more remote Yi villages in the area. It can also be a starting point for 3 day trek that brings you to the entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

rooms, food and facilities

Twelve newly-renovated, comfortable rooms, many with views of the lake or mountain. An enclosed seating and dining area for reading, writing or chatting with other guests. An outdoor patio with a view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Shared bathroom with hot water, shower and flush toilets. Alternative energy systems including biogas and solar panels to decrease the impact on the surrounding resources. A small library with information and books about the cultural and natural resources of Wenhai. Binoculars available to be checked out by guests. Traditional "country-style" Naxi dishes served family-style and prepared by the top cooks in the village. (Meals are vegetarian unless otherwise requested.)

how this holiday makes a difference

The Wenhai Cooperative is made up of 56 households from Upper Wenhai village who have invested in the Wenhai Ecolodge. Each household has purchased shares and contributed start-up financing through a loan to the Ecolodge. Cooperative members provide all staffing and management.

This unique community-owned Cooperative:

Provides income through direct employment and annual dividends to cooperative members

Contributes 10% of profits to a conservation and community development fund that supports projects around Wenhai Lake

Enables neighbouring villages to learn about alternative energy options for their households

Creates an incentive for local people to protect their natural resources and cultural heritage

Keeps the development and management of tourism in the hands of the local community

Adheres to all tourist and tour operator codes of conduct for the Lashihai-Wenhai Watershed

Clean up the CO2 emissions of your flight using our Air Travel Calculator in partnership with Climate Care

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.