Serving Communities

Serving Communities

At SnowLion Tours, our mission goes beyond travel. We are committed to enhancing the well-being of Tibetan communities by integrating social responsibility into our daily operations. This includes creating employment opportunities, sourcing directly from local farmers and small businesses, supporting nomad families with essential supplies, and partnering with a nearby orphanage. While guests are welcome to join us in some of these efforts, participation is entirely voluntary. Our community work is not reflected in our pricing and remains private in nature.

Kumbum Shambaling Orphanage School

Founded in 2004 by Samdrip Tsering—a respected Tibetan scholar and artist—the Kumbum Shambaling Orphanage School in Xining is home to 75 Tibetan children. Its mission is twofold: to care for orphans and to preserve Tibetan heritage by teaching traditional arts such as thangka painting, embroidery, and stone carving. The curriculum also includes Tibetan language, Chinese, English, computer literacy, and other foundational subjects. Over 120 students have graduated and now live independently.

Despite its meaningful impact, the orphanage operates with limited resources and facilities. SnowLion Tours actively supports the school through fundraising, donations of winter clothing, and helping connect homeless children to its care. We also assist young artists in sharing and selling their artwork. We regularly visit the school and welcome travelers in Xining to join us for a visit.

Working with Nomad Families

Many of our journeys include visits to nomadic families on the Tibetan Plateau—an authentic cultural exchange made possible by their warmth and hospitality. While our hosts never expect anything in return, we uphold responsible tourism by offering practical gifts that support their lives in remote and rugged conditions.

We bring items such as fresh produce, warm clothing, sturdy blankets, sunglasses, and even small cooking stoves—especially helpful after our camping trips. These simple but meaningful contributions help ease daily life for nomadic families while fostering mutual understanding.

Buying Locally

We are committed to purchasing goods and supplies directly from local farmers, herders, and small businesses. This approach not only supports the regional economy but also promotes sustainability and cultural resilience. We encourage our guests to do the same—buying locally-made products and supporting Tibetan-owned businesses throughout their journey.

Creating Jobs

Every member of our core team—guides, drivers, porters, yak handlers, and cooks—is a local Tibetan. These roles provide vital income and empower individuals to share their deep cultural knowledge and heritage with the world. Nomadic workers, especially, benefit by supplementing their traditional livelihoods through seasonal trekking support.

In the rare cases where we hire non-locals, we do so based on specialized skills and long-term experience in Tibetan regions. Above all, we ensure our staff are treated with respect and paid fairly.

Protecting the Environment

The Tibetan Plateau is a fragile and irreplaceable ecosystem. As stewards of this land and culture, we are dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint. All our trips are designed with sustainability in mind, following Leave-No-Trace principles and conducting site clean-ups after camping.

We invite all travelers to join us in protecting Tibet’s natural beauty and cultural heritage—so that future generations can experience it too.