The Mekong Hero Award by Destination Mekong celebrates individuals and organizations driving sustainable tourism and development in the Mekong region. Our third Mekong Hero is Mr. Brian Linden, recognized for his outstanding work in Yunnan, China.
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In the 1980s, Linden went to Beijing to study at 22, beginning his connection with China. He acted in a Chinese film, later becoming a reporter for an American media outlet there, and eventually pursuing graduate studies in the country.
In 1987, he joined the JHU-NJU Center for Chinese and American Studies, delving into courses on Chinese politics, economics, law, and culture. It was then he met his wife, a San Francisco native with Chinese ancestry, also studying at NJU.
In 2004, Linden decided to give up his job, sell his house and return to China with his family to “find a place to create a new way of life.” He said, “I have been to more than 100 countries, but, in my heart, my home is in China.”
By now, he has settled in Xizhou for 18 years, founded Linden Centre and has become an ambassador for the town. “Our values are clear, and what I want is to make each hotel integrate into the local village and be beneficial to the villagers,” he said
Linden, a social entrepreneur, fosters mutual understanding among American, Chinese, and global cultures. By opening 50% of Linden Centre's space to the public, he facilitates interaction between villagers and visitors, promoting cultural exchange.
