The politics of heritage tourism in China: a view from Lijiang

摘要

Lijiang is the much used and abused 'poster child' for academics and travel critics. The city is an example of how China is trying to balance the growing economic might of the eastern cities with the poor western and central regions of the country. Tourism that cashes in on the hinterland's vast heritage is seen as an important component of development. Pingyao, Yangzhou, Lassa, and Lijiang are all excellent examples of this burgeoning heritage industry.