Holidays in Yunnan

See China through the eyes of a local, as your Chinese tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up this diverse country. Over a third of China's ethnic minorities live in Yunnan, including the Naxi, Bai, Mosu, Yi and Tibetans. As you explore the towns of Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian and wander through the streets, markets and monasteries, you gain an appreciation of their society and customs and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations.

You visit the home of a Tibetan family and share tea with them. Your visit to a Tibetan Lamasery in Zhongdian lends support to a religious institution previously under siege whilst on your trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge you stay in local family-run accommodation. Enjoying the chance to interact closely with local people hopefully leads to better cross-cultural understanding. Through question and answer sessions, you learn how the local people live and gain an appreciation of their daily routines. Equally important your Chinese tour leader will help you to understand the traditions of these proud people, ensuring you don’t commit any cultural ‘faux pas’.

To support tour programs in China this operator is training tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities.