@AlexKMG I agree UNESCO is counterproductive, particularly in China where money takes precedence over just about everything. What I can't understand is the idea this is done for 'Westerners'. Preservation and heritage is the key and it has nothing to do with feelings of Westerners. UNESCO needs to re-think how it works and in some places it works well. Here in China it's a poisoned chalice. The question is, where the Naxi bought out or squeezed out?

I was told by local Lijiangers that many in Lijiang city were bought out, and they earned well.
Some outside the city sold the land for very low amounts, to the gubmint, who then sold it on to developers at a fat profit.
Sadly many of the farmers did not know how to handle money well. Much of it was squandered, drank, gambled away. If they are lucky some of the farmers can find work farming other peoples land, if not they face destitution.

I guess the Naxi will have to wait for the day, if it comes, that Han tourism goes elsewhere and they can buy back their houses cheaply. I have seen pics of the Lijiang market place packed with Tibetans, Han and Naxi from the 1920's. Lijiang was always a busy market place and remains so today.

Who can blame the locals for selling or renting their houses and moving to villages outside Lijiang where live is cheaper and quieter for them? I would do the same. Unfortunately Lijiang has become an overpriced tourist place ruled by a greedy and ignorant tourist mafia. Official nationally licensed tour guides can usually enter all tourist sites within China for free, no matter how many "stars" these sites have - except in Lijiang where they are branded as "hei dao you" and banned from entering to the tourist sites. They either buy a ticket or hire a local Lijiang Guide. That is what I call protectionism in its purest form! Entrance fees are ridiculously high – service is not existent. Since a couple of months the Black Dragon Pool Park has no more water, and still they charge you 80 RMB to get in! However, it will be interesting to see for how long they can still play that game. Chinese are travelling more and more and start to understand what they can expect for their money. So far the average Chinese Tourist knows the price of a trip but not the value – hopefully that is going to change pretty soon and then Lijiang will be at the losing end – and rightly so. Furthermore destinations like Lijiang are already feeling the competition from Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand where prices are cheaper and the service better. However, having said all that I still like Lijiang! There are still many beautiful, quiet spots and villages around with no entrance fees and where you can all by yourself.

" ... particularly in China where money takes precedence over just about everything."

I think you under-appreciate the value people place on money in China...

Its a shame that people have to learn from fuuking things up themselves, rather than taking lessons from the mistakes of others. And even then there is no guarantee that they will learn at all.

It's important to note that Germany was ruled by the Nazi Party and many prominent members and officials were Nazis . The Naxi life and is highly valued for posterity . They will share a piece of the kill with a casual passerby.

wow!

Yunnan is vast. Drive down a country road, down a river valley a few dozens kilometers and it will astonish you how much of rural life still exists.

I avoid tourist destinations like the plague...

3 posts up..???