Page 83 - JCAU-6-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Cultural landscape design and protection

and environmental degradation, the proliferation of The county is adorned with numerous Yi villages, each
modern architectural structures, overcrowding, and preserving a rich traditional culture encompassing unique
resident dissatisfaction (Buckley, 2011; Seraphin et al., architecture, costumes, food, music, dance, and religious
2018). Tourism development thus presents a dichotomy: beliefs. The residents of these Yi villages primarily rely on
it can either provide an opportunity to preserve the agriculture for their livelihoods, cultivating products such
local cultural landscape or pose a danger leading to its as rice, corn, and tea while perpetuating their rich cultural
degradation, depending on factors such as the intensity practices in their daily lives.
of resource exploitation (Higgins-Desbiolles et al., 2019; Lifang Village is situated in Shuangbai County. It is
Martín, 2016). Therefore, it becomes imperative to protect located 38 km from Shuangbai County, 4 km from Yulong
and preserve cultural landscapes concomitantly with Village, and 18 km from Fabiao Township. It is a natural
tourism development. village under the jurisdiction of Yulong Village Council,
This article explores the intricate relationship between covering an area of 4.9 sqkm . It is bordered by Baizhu
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the tourism industry and rural revitalization, using Mountain to the east and south, and Yulong Village to the
Lifang village, a traditional Yi village in Shuangbai west. The village consists of 55 families with a population
County, Yunnan, China, as a focal point of study. It of 186, all belonging to the Yi ethnicity. It exhibits distinct
analyzes the impact of tourism development in Yi villages characteristics, exuding a strong atmosphere of Yi folk
on rural revitalization and proposes a development culture and boasting a solid foundation for the inheritance
trajectory for rural tourism aimed at facilitating rural of ethnic culture, including one provincial intangible
revitalization (Battis-Schinker et al., 2021; Li et al., cultural heritage inheritor. Lifang Village is renowned as
2024; Yu, 2021). This case study serves as a reference the birthplace of “Da Luo Sheng,” one of the famous “Three
for analogous regions seeking to embark on similar Shengs” in the area. In addition, the area is known for other
endeavors. Lifang village boasts rich and diverse ethnic folk totem dances of the ethnic groups, such as “Tiger
and cultural resources, including traditional mountain Sheng” and “Xiao Baozi Sheng,” prevalent in this region.
songs and ditties, “Da Luo Sheng” culture, ecological In the Yi language, “Sheng” translates to dance, and
beliefs, and Yi embroidery. These cultural heritages the term “Three Shengs” encompasses “Tiger Sheng,” “Da
carry collective spiritual emotions and constitute an Luo Sheng,” and “Xiao Baozi Sheng.” The “Three Shengs”
important part of rural culture construction. Located at culture is renowned both domestically and internationally.
the foothills of Baizhu Mountain in Shuangbai County, Chinese and foreign scholars alike consider this simple,
Lifang Village, with its unique ecological environment magical, and original Yi traditional dance as a treasure of
and profound cultural heritage, has fervently pursued Yi sacrificial rituals and a living fossil of China’s Yi tiger
rural tourism development, emerging as a highlight of culture. Throughout the long course of history, the Yi
rural revitalization (Guang-xuan & Qiang, 2020; Zhong people living in this region have integrated their ethnic
& Xueqin, 2022). By harnessing the characteristics of Yi customs, folk traditions, and daily life into these dances,
villages and employing landscape design, program setting, facilitating continuous innovation and reinterpretation of
and protection measures, traditional villages’ economic the “Three Shengs” dance.
stagnation can be addressed while concurrently protecting
and inheriting traditional culture. At the same time, Nestled in a mountainous area, Lifang Village sits on a
reasonable and sustainable development conservation sunny slope with mountains and water at its back, boasting
measures and recommendations are proposed and picturesque scenery, rendering it a typical heritage tourism
formulated to rationalize protective strategies. destination. The village benefits from abundant rainfall,
95% forest vegetation, favorable climatic conditions,
1.2. Overview of Lifang Village, Shuangbai County, and proximity to Luosheng Lake and Baizhu Mountain
Yunnan, China Tourist Scenic Spot. Surrounded by mountains and
water, the natural environment is beautiful and pleasant.
In 2023, a field survey was undertaken to delve into Key attractions in the village include the Beat Jumping
the cultural landscape heritage of the Yi people more Square, Cultural Promenade, and Luosheng Lake. Due to
comprehensively, with Lifang Village in Shuangbai County the rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Yi
serving as the selected case study site. The background of people, Lifang Village is also recognized as an open-air
the case study site is described below: museum, narrating the epic poem of the development of
Shuangbai County, located in Chuxiong Prefecture, the Yi people and serving as a grandstand for observing
Yunnan province, is renowned for its multi-ethnic county, and studying their traditional culture. To foster the local
with the Yi people being one of the major ethnic groups. tourism industry, a comprehensive approach involving

Volume 6 Issue 3 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2891