Page 86 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Anthropological observation of Lizhuang

is at the heart of the core area, and we are not In addition, the Lizhuang Baijiu Company remains in
allowed to move anything.” (LZ01) operation in the core area. Lizhuang has also retained a
The Committee oversees key heritage sites such as demonstration-style bairou cutting table. Every Lizhuang
Xizi Lane and the Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall, while bairou restaurant in the core area features a skilled butcher
the government retains ownership of the land beneath performing the traditional slicing technique (known in
commercial stores along the main streets. Although these the Yibin dialect as “slice” [片; pian]), where white pork
stores are operated by local residents, the Committee is thinly cut. The thinner and more intact the slices, the
plays a role in their rental process, ensuring that local more prestigious the restaurant is considered, making this
characteristics are not eroded by external commercial an essential element of Lizhuang’s culinary identity.
influences. “What impressed me most about Lizhuang was
the bairou display stands at the entrance of each
“In the core area, many public housing belong
to the Committee rather than private residents, restaurant. Each place has a butcher slicing meat
so we can reorganize the layout. We intend to at the entrance – I think it is quite distinctive.”
(LS03)
introduce more diverse businesses.” (GW09)
Another key cultural feature is Baigao Street, where
To maintain a cohesive historical esthetic, the
Committee supervises store selection and strictly controls shopkeepers demonstrate the hand-packing process for
white pastries. Tourists can choose their preferred flavors
storefront decorations. Merchants in the Moonfield scenic and watch as they are freshly packed. The presence of
area must submit their renovation plans for approval to demonstration-style “Three Whites” shops in the core
ensure that their designs align with the town’s “ancient” area preserves Lizhuang’s local food traditions, ensuring
style before beginning any modifications. This institutional they remain an integral part of the town’s commercial and
framework also extends to store signboards, which are cultural identity.
uniformly designed for the core area. The Committee has
commissioned calligraphers to create wooden signboards “In Lizhuang, people come to eat bairou and
featuring handwritten store names, preserving the town’s baigao. That’s what the average visitor does.
traditional esthetic and reinforcing its officially supported However, there are not many people who truly
locality. want to immerse themselves in Lizhuang’s deeper
cultural heritage.” (LZ01)
“Our shopkeeper has submitted their renovation “The leaders and I feel that we can’t relocate these
plans to the Committee for review. If they do not restaurants and shops from the old streets to
align with Moonfield’s ancient style, they would Moonfield. It would disrupt the overall atmosphere
not be approved.” (LZ13) and feel somewhat inappropriate.” (GW09)
“Previously, the Committee invited calligraphers
to write store name signboards for our stores on However, the long-standing dominance of the “Three
the historical street. We only need to pay ¥200 for White” business model has raised concerns among different
the signboard – how nice!” (LZ16) stakeholders in Lizhuang. First, local cultural elites worry
that this commercial focus may cause tourists to overlook
3.2. Preserving and showcasing local culture Lizhuang’s broader cultural heritage. Second, the members
3.2.1. Preserving and exhibiting local shops – using of the Committee have expressed concerns about the
Lizhuang’s “Three White” as an example sustainability and esthetic impact of this business model.
Lizhuang has sought to preserve and showcase its local 3.2.2. Preservation and transmission of anti-war
culture by retaining demonstration-style shops. A key culture
example is the “Three Whites” (三白; sanbai) of Lizhuang – To preserve and document Lizhuang’s anti-war culture
bairou (白肉; white pork), baigao (白糕; white pastry), and and history, the local government has undertaken
baijiu (白酒; Chinese liquor) – which are characteristic of extensive efforts to collect and protect historical records.
Lizhuang’s culinary heritage.
To obtain firsthand accounts, officials interviewed elderly
To highlight this tradition, the town has preserved a residents who had lived through that era, recording their
demonstration-style baijiu workshop on the main street narratives about Lizhuang’s wartime history. In addition, a
of the core area, allowing visitors to observe the drying of government-led team visited the archives of Nanxi County,
baijiu lees and the baijiu brewing process. At the entrance Yibin city – Lizhuang’s administrative region – to search
of Tongji Avenue and within the core area, the old Lizhuang for county records and other historical documents related
distillery has been preserved, with its entrance restored. to this period.

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