Laosicheng: A Decade of Preserving China's Ancient Tusi City

Laosicheng: A Decade of Preserving China's Ancient Tusi City

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Laosicheng: A Decade of Preserving China's Ancient Tusi City

Laosicheng, a 25-square-kilometer ancient Tusi city in Hunan, China, designated a World Heritage Site in 2015, is preserved through daily patrols, technological monitoring, and active community involvement, ensuring its long-term stability and cultural richness.

English
China
OtherArts And CultureChinaSustainable TourismCultural PreservationLaosichengTusiWorld Heritage Site
Laosicheng MuseumManagement Office Governing Laosicheng
Yao YuanliQu ZhanghuiLei Jiasen
What measures are in place to ensure the long-term preservation of Laosicheng's unique historical and cultural features?
Ten years after its World Heritage designation, Laosicheng, a 25-square-kilometer ancient Tusi city in Hunan, China, remains well-preserved. Daily patrols, technological monitoring (temperature, humidity, landslides), and camera surveillance protect its earthen ruins and wooden structures. The site's stability is confirmed by years of monitoring.
How does the involvement of the indigenous community in Laosicheng's preservation and tourism contribute to the site's overall success?
Laosicheng's preservation exemplifies a successful model of heritage site management integrating technological monitoring with local community participation. The 100+ indigenous residents contribute to tourism and site protection, creating a vibrant cultural landscape. This approach contrasts with models that prioritize preservation over community involvement.
What lessons can be learned from Laosicheng's preservation model that could be applied to other historical sites, particularly those with similar challenges in terms of cultural preservation and community integration?
The successful preservation of Laosicheng, with its unique blend of technology and community engagement, offers a valuable case study for other World Heritage sites. This model, emphasizing stability monitoring and community participation, could prove replicable in other regions preserving fragile cultural and historical sites. The long-term success will depend on the continued collaboration between local authorities, residents, and researchers.

Cognitive Concepts

3/5

Framing Bias

The article frames Laosicheng's story through a lens of success and preservation, emphasizing positive aspects like its stability, harmonious community, and tourism potential. The headline (if there was one) would likely reinforce this positive framing. The focus on the stability of the site and the collaborative efforts for its protection shapes the narrative towards a celebratory tone, minimizing potential concerns.

1/5

Language Bias

The language used is largely descriptive and neutral, though words like "harmoniously" and "vibrant" might be considered slightly positive and subjective. However, this is not significantly biased. There's a strong focus on positive descriptions of the site's status and the successful preservation efforts, which leans towards a celebratory rather than objective tone.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article focuses primarily on the preservation and tourism aspects of Laosicheng, neglecting potential criticisms or challenges related to its World Heritage status. For instance, there is no mention of the potential impact of tourism on the site's integrity or the opinions of residents regarding the balance between preservation and economic development. There is also no discussion of funding sources for preservation efforts or the potential for future threats.

2/5

False Dichotomy

The article presents a largely positive portrayal of the site's preservation and the harmonious coexistence of residents and the historical site, without exploring potential tensions or conflicts that might exist. It implies a simple, successful model without acknowledging complexities or challenges.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Cities and Communities Positive
Direct Relevance

The preservation and sustainable tourism management of the Laosicheng World Heritage Site demonstrates a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development in a community. Efforts to prevent landslides, monitor building integrity, and involve local residents in tourism contribute to the long-term sustainability of the site and its economic benefits for the local population. This aligns with SDG 11, specifically targets related to protecting and safeguarding World Heritage sites and promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and preserves cultural heritage.