Authenticity and Sustainability in China

by Ben
(Yangshuo)

Across the River from YSMR

My wife and I first moved to Yangshuo in July 2007. We had come to work for the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (YSMR), a countryside hotel which sits on the banks of the Yulong River. We imagined this was going to be an interesting stage in our lives but little did we know how interesting it really was going to be.

The Yangshuo Mountain Retreat hotel was built in 2001 and lies approximately 15 minutes outside of Yangshuo, China. The Retreat was the brain child of Chris Barclay, an American entrepreneur who has lived and worked in China over the last 17 years.

YSMR is situated on the banks of the Yulong River which is a tributary of the Li River and was the first Yangshuo (if not indeed China) hotel to enact sustainable business practices both in relation to the environment and the local Chinese employees who work there. The Retreat was founded as a training center, promoting local culture and tourism development. It employs 14 staff from local villages, all of whom receive ongoing English, computer, and hospitality business training. It uses local renewable raw materials such as bamboo to furnish the hotel and sells a range of locally made village products.

As a result of its sustainable tourism practices which include use of renewable energy and recycling systems, YSMR has been nominated for various awards including The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award(2007)

The hotel allocates 5% of its annual profits to the China –U.S. Medical Foundation established in 2002 by Chris Barclay. The not-for-profit organisation aims at helping Chinese children with OI (Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or Brittle Bone Disease).

Working at YSMR has enabled us to experience something that is not so common in the tourism climate that characterises China today - authenticity. Besides its magnificent scenery and tranquil atmosphere, YSMR, through the business practices mentioned, creates a warm, homely and genuine experience enabling guests and visitors to have a glimpse of rural life in China whilst enjoying the comforts of the hotel.


www.yangshuomountainretreat.com