SW China's top tourist city strengthens cultural protection

He's experience center has also cooperated with travel agencies, summer camps and schools to offer free training classes on Naxi culture, receiving more than 7,000 students each year.

"Without the courtyard, nothing would even be close to possible," he said.

To prevent the ancient Chinese city from over commercialization after years of tourism development, the local government has set up a specialized annual fund of 10 million yuan for cultural protection in the Old Town.

"Lijiang has long been China's name card to the world with the Old Town as its core. For sustainable development, we must spare no effort in protecting our culture and make it one of the most attractive parts of the city," said He Tang with the protection and administrative bureau of Lijiang Old Town.

A tourist tries to write Dongba symbols in center of Naxi Dongba pictographs and paintings in the Old Town in the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan province, on March 8, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

All the buildings in the Old Town are required to maintain traditional ethnic characteristics. Dancing halls, Internet bars, and among others that are inconsistent with the ancient Old Town have all been closed.

A total of 299 traditional houses and 236 yards have so far been restored and renovated by the local government and the Global Heritage Fund.

"We also invite folk artists and culture inheritors to show their skills in the Old Town to get more tourists involved. On traditional festivals, we hold grand celebrations in the Old Town." He Tang said.

More than 90 sets of books telling stories of Lijiang and the culture of Naxi have also been published.

"Our life is limited, but so long as everyone makes even an effort, the life of a culture can exist forever," He Runyuan said.