Responsible tourism experiences in China, Malaysian Borneo, Bali, Thailand and Cambodia

In this blog we speak not only of luxury trips but also of experiences that allow a full immersion in the culture, nature and society of the countries you visit.
A theme that is very close to my heart is responsible tourism, a way to combine these aspects together. One of the key principles is to transfer the advantages of tourism to local populations, being very careful not to pollute, giving a portion of the profits to the communities and organizations that take care of people and the environment.
It is a way of traveling that favors a more authentic and respectful contact with the destinations. In this article, I point out 5 tourism experiences that I really like.
 

In Malayan Borneo lives Sun Bear whose habitat is the rainforest. This species is threatened by extinction so the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center was established. A private tour can be organized to visit this center, having the chance to observe these nice animals live and meeting the founder of this organization who will explain the importance of the activities to protect this species.

Continuing to talk about endangered animals, a visit to the Chinese Center for Conservation and Research of the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), Dujiangyan Base, is a must, 65 km from the city of Chengdu. The panda ("xiongmao" in Chinese, which literally means "cat-bear") is an endangered species that the Chinese government and specialized NGOs have consciously protected since the 1980s. Their efforts have been rewarded and the last counts of the population have shown an increase of almost 50% in the number of pandas in the world (it is estimated that there are more than 2000 people in the wild, although it is difficult to provide an exact figure).

Instead, to return to more profound but also fun experiences in contact with the local culture, a trip to Bali, could also be the occasion to try out one of the Balinese's favorite activities: building and flying kites. This is a hobby that locals love from an early age. During the kite season, between May and September, you can visit the home of Mr. Made Dika, a kite manufacturer, learning how they are made with materials such as bamboo, bows and fabrics.
 

Moving to Thailand, it is an exciting experience to visit the village of Ban Pong Huai Lan, learning how people live their lives in a sustainable way. Only an hour away from the city of Chiang Mai, one meets the locals and learns all about the philosophy of Sufficient Economy by visiting the farm of Grandma Som. Then the traditional crafts of spinning and weaving in the village are explored. Women in particular help preserve traditional craftsmanship and local wisdom.

Finally, a suggestion to visit one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world in a more ecological way. We speak of Angkor in Cambodia, a succession of temples and archaeological ruins swallowed up in some points by the forest. The vast area can be visited pedaling among the pagodas, monuments and hidden wonders, enjoying a different perspective. And if we decide to add a touch of truth to the trip, why not sleep at the home of a local family and camp on the top of a mountain to connect with the culture and nature of Cambodia?