ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of local agency in Lijiang’s heritage tourism. Although many Naxi now live in the new city, some still work in the ancient town and many more come back for visits. It is estimated that there are still approximately 14,000 people residing in the town (Zong 2005). This chapter examines how the Naxi respond to rapid tourism development and suggests that they are not always as disenfranchised as tourism researchers working on heritage tourism often portray (Li 2006; Nash 1996). They do not always contest tourism development, nor do they view heritage tourism as negative for local society. Instead, they can see the benefits that tourism brings and will try to balance tourism incursion into their landscape by staking claims to vital spaces so that they can continue significant and meaningful activities. Nevertheless, on frequent occasions, their claims are threatened and constrained by the economic priorities set by other groups such as private enterprise and the local government.
