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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Anthropological observation of Lizhuang

Figure 1. Geographical location of Lizhuang
Source: Map labeled by the author.

Table 1. Summary of tourist‑generated content on social media

Blogger Text and evaluation Summary
01 “Lizhuang historical town – The size of the town does not matter, its capacity The local characteristics of Lizhuang historical town are
does.” recognized and perceived by tourists, as reflected in their
02 “Lizhuang historical town’s lifestyle is very rich, full of history, and the detailed social media narratives.
and leisurely daily life exudes a sense of authenticity. This is a town with the
original flavor of life.”
03 “In Lizhuang historical town, one’s heart naturally calms down as if it were a
mirror, with no dust to be found.”
04 “Lizhuang historical town is a peaceful ancient town where life slows down.”
05 “Unlike other ancient towns, Lizhuang leaves an indelible mark with its
riverbank and old dock used for silk trading during the war.”
06 “I think Lizhuang historical town is more about its humanistic atmosphere, its
buildings have a unique sense of beauty.”
07 “The streets of Lizhuang are full of old wooden boards, the wind whispers
through the historical city walls, and ancient engraved doors reveal the strong
flavor of the southern regions.”
08 “By understanding the history behind Lizhuang, I finally realized why the
entire city has maintained its original form to this day.”
09 “The historical legacy is thick, and the town is vibrant with life.”

and negotiations (e.g., YK17, YK18). From February to 3. Tourism evolution: The process of
April 2023, the author conducted on-site observations and localization construction in Lizhuang
face-to-face interviews, followed by online video interviews
from October to December 2023. Some interviews with Tourism can be regarded as a process of meaning
shorter durations or lacking substantial content were construction, in which local government, tourism
excluded from the study, resulting in a final selection of 15 developers, and residents jointly participate in shaping a
participants, with interview durations ranging from 40 to destination’s local identity. This study examines Lizhuang’s
180 min. The total word count of the interview transcripts localization process from the perspectives of three
is 85,672 words. Details of the participants are provided in key stakeholders: governmental authorities, tourism
Table 3. enterprises responsible for development, and local

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4876