Lijiang city of southwest China's Yunnan province is known for its many ethnic cultures and, in the 1990s, the local government started a comprehensive census of the folk culture of the city, nearby counties and villages, with a focus on ethnic groups including the Naxi, Pumi, Bai and Zang.

China officially joined UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Culture Heritage in 2004 and Lijiang authorities have continued their work concerning research and protection. The city is represented in the national list of intangible cultural heritage, and also at the provincial level, municipal level, and county level.

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin