Yunnan Eco Tours

A region of many cultures, landscapes and ways of life

Yunnan Eco Tours creates journeys that bring you closer to one of China’s most biodiverse and culturally rich regions, where landscapes and cultures shift dramatically from one place to the next.

This can mean travelling from Dali to Lijiang through lesser visited villages, exploring forest trails and food traditions around Kunming, or following tea routes through southern Yunnan, with experiences that range from craft workshops and local markets to hikes and time spent in remote communities.

The focus is on creating a journey that feels authentic and local, where the places you stay, the people you meet and the experiences you have all feel connected to a side of China that is rarely experienced by foreigners.

Led by the community

Every journey is built in collaboration with local communities, from village artisans and farmers to traditional cooks and guides.

Whether it’s taking part in a craft workshop in a small village or spending time in a local market, each experience offers a closer look at everyday life in the region.

This approach not only makes the experience more meaningful but also ensures that your time here directly supports the people and traditions that define it.

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Hands on experiences

Each journey is designed to be interactive and immersive. This could mean creating your own craft in a village courtyard, learning traditional cooking methods or spending time with communities whose ways of life have been preserved over generations.

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Low impact

Journeys are designed to minimise impact, from the use of electric vehicles to the elimination of single use plastics. Accommodation is selected based on sustainability and local ownership, often favouring family run stays and smaller boutique hotels.

Food is a central part of the experience, with most meals being plant forward or vegetarian, prepared using fresh, locally grown ingredients. It is a way of travelling that supports local farmers while offering a closer look at Yunnan’s diverse food culture.

Story Behind Yunnan Eco Tours

Founded by Leo, who saw how much of Yunnan’s richness was either overlooked or experienced in ways that did not benefit the people who live there, he set out to create a different approach to travel centred on local partnerships, cultural respect and environmental responsibility.

Over the past 6 years, he has worked across Yunnan promoting sustainability and eco tourism, building close relationships with villages, artisans, organic farmers and local organisations.

Together with a fully local team who know these places first hand, Yunnan Eco Tours offers a perspective of China that comes from within.