Sustainable Tours in China – Yunnan Eco Tours

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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.

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www.yunnanecotours.com

+86 18501663664

leoling2019@gmail.com

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Beyond the Classic

13 days 12 nights | A Deeper Journey Along Yunnan’s Most Well-Known Route

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Dali & Lijiang

11 days 10 nights | Villages, Food, and Mountain Landscapes

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Pu'er-Banna

12 days 11 nights | Tea Mountains, Coffee Farms, and Living Cultures

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Dehong-Baoshan

8 days 7 nights | Cultures, Forests & Flavors of Yunnan

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Jeff

Kunming is a vegan paradise, and Leo knows not only the best spots but also the best things to order -- and all without breaking the bank!!! He speaks English fluently, so was able to explain to us what everything was, and navigate around any food allergies in our group. More than anything we were thrilled to find Leo as a guide because he is himself vegan, thus we could enjoy our meals confident we weren't inadvertently consuming any animal products. Although we were more interested in local vegan eats than Yunnan culture, Leo certainly knew a great deal about both, and was able to add historical context to every meal. We will definitely consider touring with him again, as even a week wasn't enough time to sample all the plant-based goodness Yunnan has to offer.

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Connie

Our day tour with Leo, owner of Yunnan Eco Tours, was the highlight of our week traveling in China! I am 83, was traveling with my daughter and 4 year old granddaughter. Leo managed to graciously accommodate all of our needs while sharing his deep knowledge and love of China and Yunnan province. We enjoyed visiting the colorful, famous, and fascinating Kunming market. We benefited from Leo’s guidance and translation as we experienced treatment at an excellent Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic. Best of all was our time spent at a local, family-owned farm, near Kunming, where we fell in love with the welcoming family, helped make tofu, cooked dinner with them, and shared a delicious meal! We were sad to say goodbye to them and to Leo at the end of our day. We wholeheartedly and highly recommend Leo and Yunnan Eco Tours! Connie Parsons from California, USA.

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Jenny

Our March trip to Yunnan was truly unforgettable thanks to our guide, Leo. He not only shared rich knowledge about local history and culture, but also took care of every detail with great patience. Leo was warm, approachable, and always attentive to our needs, making the journey smooth and enjoyable. His passion for Yunnan shone through in every explanation, and his thoughtful arrangements allowed us to experience the beauty of the region without any stress. We felt very well looked after and would highly recommend Leo to anyone visiting Yunnan

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Fact Sheet

Basic Information

Available year round
Multi-day adventures
Personalised tours
Small group experiences

Experience style

Nature focused
Food & drinks
Cultural experiences
Local community experiences
Hiking & trekking
Educational experiences
Farm & agricultural experiences
Family friendly

Languages

English
Chinese

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Yunnan Eco Tours