Busy Streets of Lijiang Ancient Town at Night 丽江古城
Make no mistake, I love the way Lijiang Ancient Town looks like. The old looking Ming and Qing style houses and the numerous waterways which go through the entire town make for a very pretty town. However, in what probably irks me the most about this place was how much commercialized this place has become. Yes, it is historical. Yes, it is beautiful. But much of Lijiang Ancient Town has turned into what I can only describe as one huge shopping center. It is like the entire town is dedicated only for profit. There is no entrance to go in to the town. But one way or another you will have to spend on something when you enter the town. Food, souvenirs or just accomodations.
Busy Gate at Lijiang Ancient Town 丽江古城
I do understand that this is also for the benefit of the residents. But really, how many original residents are still there? Don’t most of the shops here close at night with everyone leaving the town? Only ones left at the ones operating hotels or hostels. What is probably worse is that it seems to work. People from all over China and people like me come to Lijiang to see what the fuss is all about. Seeing this success only convinced other ancient cities to try this formula. Although it probably isn’t a conscious decision by the authorities, the people themselves have seen an opportunity to cash in on the tourism boom, in true capitalist style.
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