A young man from Hebian, an ethnic Yao village in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has combined cultural heritage with professional expertise to turn the region's rich wildlife into a unique adventure kingdom for tourists.
China's tropical rainforests span over 700,000 hectares, with nearly 60 percent in Yunnan Province.
"My name is Pan Yongfei, and I am currently the room manager at Rainforest Yao Cooperative. I am mainly responsible for logistics support. When guests arrive, there will be some activities, and I am also primarily responsible for guiding the rainforest trekking tours," said the young man.
According to Pan, the new wave of eco-tourism is transforming the lives of local people. Young residents are stepping up as tour guides, bridging their traditional knowledge with modern eco-tourism practices.
"We've been exploring the mountains since childhood. Now tourists are coming, so those young among us and those who speak Mandarin will look after them after training. By learning those professional knowledge, we can explain some basic plants, trees, and fruits to tourists. This is an amomum villosum plant, used in traditional Chinese medicine. A flower is blooming here at the bottom, a white flower. But these days, it's not allowed to be cultivated in the rainforest," he said.
As eco-tourism continues to flourish in Yunnan's tropical rainforests, individuals like Pan exemplify how blending cultural heritage with environmental stewardship can create sustainable opportunities for local communities. By sharing their knowledge and passion for the land, these young guides are not only preserving their traditions but also fostering a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of nature among visitors from around the world.
Ethnic Yao village in Yunnan turns rich wildlife into adventure kingdom for tourists
Ethnic Yao village in Yunnan turns rich wildlife into adventure kingdom for tourists
