Traditional Chinese ecological wisdom and its practical meaning: a case study of the river system in Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town's river system exemplifies the enduring practical value of traditional Chinese ecological wisdom, demonstrating how ancient principles can address modern environmental challenges. The study reveals that the town's design—rooted in harmonious coexistence with nature—effectively mitigated water pollution and improved water quality through innovative practices like street washing, bridge market culture, and water conservation folklore (e.g., three-hole wells). By integrating these traditional methods into contemporary management, Lijiang achieved significant improvements: sewage treatment rates surged from 45.2% (2008) to 86.82% (2012), and downstream water quality upgraded from 'worst grade V' (2010) to 'grade III' (2014). The research highlights the resilience of ecological wisdom in modern sustainability efforts, offering a blueprint for balancing urban development with environmental stewardship.

LIU Guodong, 刘国栋, TIAN Kun, 田昆, YUAN Xingzhong, 袁兴中, & SUN Jinfang, 孙晋芳. (2016). Traditional Chinese ecological wisdom and its practical meaning: a case study of the river system in Lijiang Old Town. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 36(2). https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb201407151444