Utopia for 'Lohasians'

Located in northern Miyun County, the Le Zhiwan Ranch & Organic Farm is a restful haven not too far from the city. The ranch, located about 130 kilometres from Beijing’s Siyuanqiao on the North Fourth Ring Road, began as a farm. Gradually, the fruit and vegetables yielded by the farm, founded by Zhang Ruilin, became popular among Zhang’s friends. Zhang realized he could make something out of the ranch.

In 2001, Zhang converted his fallow land into the Le Zhiwan Organic Memorial Ranch. In 2004, the 1,500-hectare Le Zhiwan Ranch was certified as an organic ecology ranch, but only after meeting the strict requirements and passing the inspections of the Organic Food Development Centre (OFDC) of the State Environmental Protection Administration of China.

Le Zhiwan Ranch has since become an ideal retreat where fans of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability), sometimes called “Lohasians,” can commune with nature. Laying fallow for about 30 years has nourished the forest, which still contains diverse vegetation; its natural environment has been well-preserved.

“Back to tradition and nature” is the spirit of an eco-tour to Le Zhiwan Ranch, and visitors must agree to adhere to a set of well-established rules before beginning their tours.

Cars must be parked at the entrance to the ranch, and visitors are asked to take special transportation to travel to sightseeing spots. The special transportation could be anything from a horse-drawn carriage to electric vehicles, but hiking is possible if you like. The precautions are designed to protect the ranch from the pollution caused by vehicle exhaust emissions.

From the moment guests enter the tranquil ranch grounds, they are encouraged to think in environment friendly ways. The mission of Le Zhiwan Ranch is to arouse the awareness of environmental protection through ecological experiences.

Metal and plastic items are rarely encountered at Le Zhiwan Ranch. Instead, the ranch uses wooden materials for things like tables, chairs, even houses. On the ranch, where plastic bags are rare, human damage to nature has been reduced to a minimum.

Environmental controls include limiting the number of visitors and not allowing overnight stays. Smoking is prohibited.

At the entrance of the ecology farm, there is a small room with UV lights and straw on the floor sprinkled with disinfectant to kill germs.

Crops are important. Ranch products are sold in supermarkets after processing, and some become animal feed. Farmyard manure is collected and transformed into biogas-producing matter.

The animals on the ranch enjoy a life free from human disturbance. Birds range freely; sheep wander under the watchful eyes of shepherds; and black boars doze in the hills. Apart from these common farm animals, there are peacocks, camels, ostriches, horses and donkeys. This is a small natural wonder and the obvious reason why children simply refuse to leave. For city children, feeding animals, collecting eggs and milking cows are the first steps in learning about animals and how to treat them with respect.

Natural pest control methods are used instead of chemical pesticides and vines are planted on the slopes where soil is exposed to help retain soil.

In the organic vegetable patch, there are several varieties of fruits and vegetables free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Most products of Le Zhiwan Ranch are displayed in the new tourist centre, where visitors can buy a variety of organic products, such as honey, herbs, peanuts, fruit wines, eggs, hawthorn and millet.

Visitors can also pick the vegetables by themselves and enjoy them on the dining table there. Cooks present many dishes, such as fried vegetables, pork stew with chestnuts and stewed beef with spring onions. Food seasoning products are also made at the ranch. All of the dishes are organic and served with organic fruit wine.

A Perfect Day

Far from regretting that a stay at the ranch is not possible, a day spent there will undoubtedly affect your thinking about your lifestyle, environmental protection and the world we all live in.

If you cannot get enough of Le Zhiwan Ranch’s products on your visits, you can find them in Lohao City, a chain store in Central Beijing that specializes in providing products for the Lohasian lifestyle.

What can I find there?

• Green-shelled eggs: Produced by 1,500 chickens raised on the Le Zhiwan Ranch. These “star of the shop” eggs reportedly have 20 percent more lecithin than regular eggs.

•    Organic herbs: A decoration on the desk in your office. The one with round-leaves, called pengpengxiang in Chinese (pelargonium odoratissimum), leaves your fingertips with the fragrance of apple if you touch them. They’re also edible.

•      Toothpicks made of corn/bean powder: Used by customers to taste fruit in the shop. They dissolve in hot water.

• Knowledge sharing classes: Provide health-loving people with a wholly organic experience in the form of lectures, cooking workshops and much more. Every Lohao City chain store is equipped with a classroom. 

•       Handouts and magazines: Available in Lohao City stores, they explain the organic lifestyle to customers. They are printed with soy ink.

Beijing flagship: 52 Jingshun Lu, Sunhe, Changyang District

Beijing Chaoyang store: B4, 29 Lucky Street, Chaoyang District

Beijing Shuangjing store: 10A Building 5, 76 Nan’er Lu, Baiziwan, Chaoyang District

Customer service and order line: +86 10 8459 4332

http://www.lohaocity.com