Publications
A Study Of Language Usage In The Old Town Of Lijiang
In the Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major tourism destination in China, Chinese dominates public signage visibility, while Dongba script serves as a culturally significant marker in bottom-up linguistic landscapes. Multilingualism is more pronounced in Dayan Old Town compared to Shuhe, with English appearing prominently in top-down signs due to its global influence. The study analyzed digital photos of signs to quantify language proportions and preferences, revealing nuanced dynamics in language use within multi-ethnic rural areas. These findings offer insights for future research on linguistic landscapes in tourism-suspended cities.
Promoting conservation or change? The UNESCO label of world heritage (re)shaping urban morphology in the Old Town of Lijiang, China
The UNESCO World Heritage label significantly reshapes urban morphology, often prioritizing physical conservation over traditional social fabric. A study on Lijiang's Old Town found that while architectural structures and historic characteristics were well-preserved post-inscription, neighborhood networks and cultural cohesion eroded due to heritage-led development. The research introduces the Conzenian approach as a framework for monitoring Outstanding Universal Values (OUV) and employs spatial plan analysis alongside multi-stakeholder interviews to assess urban morphology from macro to micro levels. This method reveals a tension between conservation efforts and economic growth, offering insights into balancing heritage preservation with sustainable urban development in China and globally.
The relationship between tourists’ perceptions of customized authenticity and loyalty to guesthouses in heritage destinations: an empirical study of the world heritage of Lijiang Old Town, China
A study of 397 tourists in Lijiang Old Town, China, reveals that perceptions of customized authenticity—specifically object-related and existential dimensions—significantly influence guesthouse loyalty. Tourists' sense of being at home in heritage destinations acts as a mediator between their perception of authenticity and loyalty. The research introduces new measurement scales for assessing these dimensions, extending the understanding of authenticity in the context of guesthouses within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Studying Languages in the Linguistic Landscape of Lijiang Old Town
Linguistic landscape research reveals significant differences between the language use patterns on Fuhui Street and Xinhua Street in Lijiang Old Town. The study highlights variations in bilingual and multilingual signage, particularly involving Chinese, Dongba scripts, and English, alongside differing attitudes among local stakeholders and tourists towards these languages. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methods—digital photography for data collection, supplemented by questionnaires and interviews—the research provides insights into the complex interplay of language use in a culturally rich urban setting.
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.
Photography-based analysis of tourists’ temporal–spatial behaviour in the Old Town of Lijiang
A novel photography-based approach reveals key temporal and spatial patterns of tourist behavior in the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Lijiang, offering new insights for sustainable tourism management. Analyzing 1308 publicly shared photos, researchers estimated tourists' daily visit frequencies, movement traces, and hotspots, demonstrating the potential of photo-sharing data to track visitor distribution with high accuracy. This method provides a non-intrusive alternative to traditional surveys, enabling more precise planning of resources and conservation efforts in historically significant areas.
Ancient water supply system of the old town of Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China
The ancient water supply system of Lijiang's Old Town, recognized by UNESCO for its complexity and functionality, remains effective despite modern challenges. This study evaluates the system's resilience, highlighting its ingenious design that has sustained 25,000 inhabitants across 3.8 km² at an altitude of 2,400 meters. Researchers analyzed the system's structure and performance, contrasting it with contemporary urban developments to assess its adaptability. The findings underscore the system's historical significance while addressing its vulnerability to modernization.
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