Guests and delegates coming to Lijiang for the Mekong Tourism Forum in April will find a home-away-from-home in the Hilton Lijiang – and a warm host in Robert Wei, the Hilton Lijiang’s General Manager.
The Hilton is a major hospitality player in Lijiang, and walks the talk in all sustainable tourism criteria. Its enviable cultural representation of local Naxi culture and participation in Hilton’s “Travel with Purpose” ESG campaign makes the Hilton Lijiang an admirable example for many Yunnan and China PRC hotels to follow.
In the run-up to the Mekong Tourism Forum, we asked Mr. Wei to set the stage for delegates: what they can look forward to in their stay at the Hilton Lijiang, and how their host delivers on the environment and culture in more ways than one.
Can you describe the sustainable practices and initiatives that Hilton Lijiang has implemented to promote environmental stewardship and community well-being?
“Travel with Purpose” is Hilton’s ESG strategy to promote responsible travel and sustainable travel worldwide. As a member of the Hilton Group, Hilton Lijiang has always implemented this philosophy.
Hilton Lijiang is committed to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, such as energy-efficient air conditioning systems and LED lighting to reduce electricity consumption. In addition, our hotel is further reducing its carbon footprint by optimizing the building design and using renewable energy sources such as solar power. With LightStay, we reduce hotel disposables, continue to push for large-pack toiletries and promote the use of electronic room cards.
On the other hand, Hilton Lijiang has established a close partnership with the local community, providing employment opportunities, training and educational resources for local residents, and promoting the economic development of the community. In addition, our hotel also actively participates in social welfare activities, supports local charities, and contributes to improving the community environment and improving the quality of life of residents.
Those practices help us to enhance the brand image and competitiveness of the hotel, provide useful reference for other hoteliers at well.
Image courtesy of Hilton Hotels
What unique features or services does Hilton Lijiang offer that reflect the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Lijiang?
Customers are increasingly looking for lifestyle products that are localized for the destination, provide personalized service, and offer unforgettable design and culinary experiences.
To meet these needs, Hilton Lijiang is decorated with traditional Naxi patterns and artworks, so guests can feel the unique cultural atmosphere of Lijiang in a comfortable accommodation environment. The hotel Lobby Ambassadors, dressed in Lijiang Naxi ethnic costumes, to guide guests to check in when they arrive, and provide guests with personal travel advices.
Our hotel offers an array of outdoor activities and leisure options. Guests can sing and dance in the outdoor Bonfire Square and feel the warm hospitality of Lijiang.
In addition, the YUNSHUIGE Chinese restaurant offers a wealth of local specialties, such as Naxi hot pot, seasonal fungus, Lijiang wild vegetables, etc., so guests can taste the food and feel the food culture of Lijiang.
Photo by Noppon Meenuch on Unsplash
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in implementing sustainable tourism practices, and what achievements are you most proud of in this journey?
Balancing commercial interests with environmental protection is a major challenge. The rapid development of tourism is often accompanied by the over-exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of the environment. How do we protect the environment while pursuing economic benefits?
Raising environmental awareness among employees and visitors is also a challenge. Environmental awareness and behavior of employees and visitors is crucial to achieving sustainable tourism, but it often requires continuous education and guidance to achieve good results.
I am most proud of our achievement in promoting the green transformation of Hilton Lijiang. Our hotel has taken a series of effective measures in energy conservation and emission reduction, water resources management, waste treatment and other aspects, and achieved remarkable environmental protection results.
At the same time, we also actively cooperate with the local community to carry out a series of environmental public welfare activities to enhance the environmental awareness and capacity of the community. These efforts not only laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the hotel, but also made a positive contribution to the ecological environment protection of Lijiang area.
In the future, we will continue to adhere to the concept of sustainable tourism, implement the Hilton Group’s “Travel with Purpose” concept, and continue to explore and practice more effective environmental protection measures to provide tourists with a better travel experience, but also contribute to the sustainable development of the earth home.
Photo by JIN Qin on Unsplash
In your opinion, what makes Lijiang an ideal destination for tourists and international events like the Mekong Tourism Forum?
I think it is mainly due to its unique natural landscape, profound cultural heritage and increasingly perfect tourist facilities and services.
As we know, Lijiang has unique natural landscape, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Lugu Lake. These natural landscapes not only provide a rich visual enjoyment for tourists, but also provide an excellent background for various international events.
There is also a profound cultural heritage in Lijiang. It is the main settlement of the Naxi people, with rich national culture and historical heritage. Visitors can experience the unique Naxi customs and feel the ancient and mysterious Dongba culture here.
At the same time, Lijiang is also a multi-ethnic area, and the cultural integration of different ethnic groups adds charm. This cultural diversity also makes Lijiang an ideal place to host international events such as the Mekong River Tourism Forum, which can promote exchanges and understanding between different cultures.
Finally, Lijiang’s tourism facilities and services are improving day by day. With the development of tourism, hotels in Lijiang, restaurants, transportation and other tourism facilities have been continuously improved, providing tourists with a more convenient and comfortable travel experience. This quality tourism service has also attracted more and more international events to be held in Lijiang.
Photo by Noppon Meenuch on Unsplash
What are the key cultural attractions in Lijiang that you believe should be highlighted to MTF attendees and tourists, and why?
As a famous historical and cultural city in China, Lijiang boasts many remarkable cultural attractions. For the participants and visitors of Mekong Tourism Forum, I recommend the following attractions:
Dayan Ancient Town is a famous scenic spot. which was built at the end of Song Dynasty and the beginning of Yuan Dynasty, embodies the achievements of ancient Chinese urban construction. Square Street, Mu Fu Mansion, and other scenic spots are representatives of the ancient city culture. Participants and tourists can deeply feel the unique charm of Naxi culture and appreciate the unique charm of the Dayan ancient Town of Lijiang.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is another landmark scenic spot in Lijiang. This snow-capped mountain with an altitude of 5,596 meters is not only a magnificent natural scenery, but also a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful snow scenery here and experience the charm of the ice and snow world.
Finally, the Naxi Museum is also a cultural attraction not to be missed. A large number of historical relics and artworks of the Naxi people are collected here, demonstrating the rich connotation of Naxi culture. By visiting the museum, participants and visitors can have a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the Naxi people and enhance their knowledge and understanding of Lijiang culture.
These scenic spots not only represent the rich historical and cultural deposits of Lijiang, but also show the unique charm of Naxi culture window.
For more on the Hilton Lijiang, visit their official website.
