Chinese President Xi Jinping toured the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province on March 19, 2025, emphasizing the critical balance between cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development. The visit highlighted efforts to protect the 800-year-old Naxi ethnic minority settlement while leveraging its historical charm for responsible economic growth.
During his inspection, Xi engaged with local artisans and reviewed conservation techniques for traditional architecture. He praised Yunnan's strategy to "keep ancient traditions alive while fostering modern livelihoods,\" noting that cultural heritage serves as both a "bridge to the past" and a "foundation for future prosperity."
Local authorities reported a 37% increase in cultural tourism revenue since 2022, attributing growth to enhanced preservation measures established after Lijiang's 1997 World Heritage designation. The region now attracts over 50 million annual visitors, with heritage sites contributing to 19% of Yunnan's tourism GDP.
Xi's visit underscores China's broader national initiative to protect 56,000 registered immovable cultural relics while developing green tourism infrastructure. Analysts suggest this approach could inform sustainable development models across Asia's $380 billion heritage tourism sector.
