Abstract: In recent years, eco-tourism has been the hot point in world’s tourism industry. Lijiang owns various natural resources and tourism advantages. Lijiang is a famous tourism destination and has brought improvements to the quality of local people. Protection of environment and resources is the basic condition in the sustainable development of Lijiang tourism industry. Then, eco-tourism is the best choice to be fit for the development. Diversified eco-environment and ethnic culture compose its unique tourism resources. Tourists will feel the mystery of the nature and the happiness of harmonious communication between human and nature when they travel. As the successful application of “Three paralleling river” for World Natural Heritage with Lijiang as its key part, eco-tourism in this area will be the new point of economy growth and important field of investment in 21st century. However, many people have little knowledge about eco-tourism of Lijiang. This paper will tell us the general situation of eco-tourism of Lijiang with the area of “three paralleling river” as point of penetration and provide some suggestions for the problem that how to develop eco-tourism in Lijiang.        

Keywords: Lijiang; eco-tourism; three paralleling river

摘要：近年来，生态旅游已经成为全球旅游业的热点。丽江拥有丰富的自然资源以及旅游优势。丽江是一个著名的旅游胜地，旅游业的发展让当地百姓提高了生活的水平。保护资源和环境是丽江旅游业可持续发展的前提条件。因此生态旅游是适应这种发展的最佳选择。多样化的生态环境和民族文化形成了丽江独特的旅游资源。游客在生态旅游活动中将感受到自然的神奇，以及人与自然和谐交融的乐趣。随着“三江并流”申报世界自然遗产成功，作为其核心位置的丽江的生态旅游将会成为21世纪这个区域新的经济增长点和投资的重要领域。但是许多人缺乏对丽江生态旅游的了解。这篇文章将以“三江并流”地区为切入点来介绍丽江生态旅游的现状，并在如何发展丽江生态旅游的问题上提出一些建议。

关键词：丽江；生态旅游；三江并流

Outline

1.      Introduction

1.1 Concepts and Characteristics of Ecotourism

1.2 General Situation of Ecotourism in China and Yunnan

2.      General Situation of Lijiang City

2.1 Characteristics of Landscape

2.2 Characteristics of Climate

2.3 Biological Resources

3.  Ecotourism of Lijiang City

3.1 Ecotourism of Yulong Snow Mountain

3.1.1 Modern Glacier Sightseeing Tour

3.1.2 Skiing Tour

3.1.3 Natural Scenery Tour

3.1.4 Science Inspection Tour

   3.2 Ecotourism of Lashihai Lake

3.2.1 Geographical Situation

3.2.2 Program of Ecotourism

   3.3 Ecotourism of Laojunshan Forest

3.3.1 Forest Ecotourism Development

3.3.2 The Protection of Plant Resources in Laojunshan Ecotourism

   3.4 Ecotourism Development of Shuhe Ancient Town

   3.5 Suggestions for Ecotourism in Lijiang

4. Conclusion

1.  Introduction

No final conclusion had yet been reached on the matter that who first put forward the concept of “ecotourism”. “Most people think that the word “ecotourism” was first put forward by the special consultant of International Natural Conservation Union (IUCN), a Mexico expert H.Ceballos-Lascurain in 1983. As it was posed, ecotourism was noticed by people in the field of world tourism, ecology and other relevant fields. Ecological environment is the fundament of tourism existence and development.”1 The rising of ecotourism is the result of people’s increasing awareness of protesting natural environment. Ecotourism represent the direction of development of tourism in 21st century.

1.1  Concepts and Characteristics of Ecotourism

   Since the concept of ecotourism was posed, many researchers and organizations definite ecotourism from different viewpoints. However, there is no unified approved definition about ecotourism till now and the definitions are various. For example, “Kong Hongmei said that Ecotourism is a kind of double tourism activity under the base of protecting the existing natural and cultural ecological environment.  The International Ecotourism Association deficits that Ecotourism is a kind of traveling and sightseeing activity responded to the ecological environment in order to make the ecology and people develop sustain ably.”2 Other definitions are also familiar. Though these definitions have the different viewpoints and special emphasis, they have the same characteristics about ecotourism. Protecting property is the biggest characteristic compared to the traditional tourism. The target of ecotourism is to protect environment and benefit from ecotourism. Ecotourism prevents the short term tourism activity, but seeks the sustainable development of economy, society and environment. In addition, the biggest beneficiaries of ecotourism are investors, tourists and local people. Ecotourism development pays attention to protect ecological environment.           

1.2 General Situation of Ecotourism in China and Yunnan

According to the investigation about ecotourism in recent years, the growth rate of world’s ecotourism is 20%to 25% and it’s the fastest one in all kinds of tourism forms. In China, there are about more than 50 million tourists traveling in forest parks every year. No doubt, ecotourism will develop forward faster with the development of society and economy. Following are the important affairs in the process of ecotourism in China and Yunnan.

(1) In 1956, the first group of natural reserve was founded;

(2) In 1982, the first national forest park was established in Zhang Jiajie, Hunan Province;

(3) In January, 1995, the first session of national ecotourism development forum was held in Xishuanbanna, Yunnan Province;

(4) In April, 1999, the International ecotourism forum was held in Tianmushan, Zhejiang Province;

(5) In 1999, ’99 Kunming International Horticulture Exposition was successfully held in Kunming, and the theme activity of ’99 ecological environment tourism made a progress in the research and practice of ecotourism of China.3

    No doubt, the ecotourism of China and Yunnan develops very fast seen from these affairs. As the development of ecotourism, more and more ecotourism programs will be explored to develop the ecotourism.

2.  General Situation of Lijiang City

Lijiang City lies in the joint part of Yunnan and Sichuan Province. The special landscapes and vertical climate give birth to various natural and tourism resources. In Lijiang, the scenic spots such as Yulong Snow Mountain, Laojun Mountain, Lashi Lake and so on are famous spots. The particular landscape and climate provide the basic conditions to develop ecotourism in these scenic spots.

2.1 Characteristics of Landscape

  Lijiang City is located in northwest of Yunnan Province in P. R. China, the middle part of northwestern plateau of Yunnan and the link area between Qing-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan- Guizhou Plateau. Lijiang City totally belongs to plateau and valley region of Hengduan Mountain. The geological structures are very complicated. The terrain inclines from the northwest to southeast. “In the territory of Lijiang, there are hundreds of mountains most of which are running with the south-north trend. For example, the famous mountains are Yulong Snow Mountain (also called Jade Dragon Snow Mountain), Laojun Mountain and so on. What’s more, there are about more than 90 rivers in Lijiang and many lakes such as Lashihai Lake, Lugu Lake and etc.”4

2.2 Characteristics of Climate

  Though Lijiang lies in the area of low latitude, the elevation is high. With the reason of its terrain, Lijiang enjoys 3 kinds of climate which are subtropical climate, temperate climate and frigid climate. “So, it’s warm-cold in northwest and hot in southeast. The average temperature of Lijiang is 12.6 degrees and the range of temperature is small. In lijiang, the characteristics of long-time winter, no summer and no change of coldness and hotness make it fit for sight-seeing in the whole year.”5

2.3 Biological Resources

   With the reason of big gap of elevation, various landscapes and complicated climate situation, plants and animals in Lijiang have a better living environment. So, “Lijiang enjoys much fame such as Plants Kingdom, Home of Medicinal Materials and so on. What’s needed to mention is that Chenghai Lake is not only the third largest producing area of natural spirulina, but also the biggest breeding base of spirulina in the world.”6

3.  The Three River Parallel Flow Scenery Region

    “On the day of July 2nd, 2003, World Heritage Committee of United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) decided that the Three River Parallel Flow of Yunnan, China was placed on the World Heritage List of the organization. In 1980s, one of the officials of UNESCO found on a map of remote satellite that there are three big rivers paralleling flowing in the area between 98 degrees to100 degrees and 30 seconds east longitude and 25 degrees and 30seconds to 29 degrees north latitude”. 7 They are Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nujiang River.

These three famous rivers originates from Qing-Tibet Plateau and flow towards south of China. Before flowing into Yunnan, the three rivers keep close to each other. When flowing into the northwestern area of Yunnan area of Yunnan, the distances of three rivers become smaller and smaller; and under the function of Gaoligong Mountain, Nu Mountain and Yunling Mountain, the three rivers run neck in neck with the horizontal distance of less than one hundred kilometers. In the forty thousand square kilometers area of Three River Parallel Flow, snow mountains, valleys, lakes and forests are easily to be seen. In 1988, the Three River Parallel Flow area was approved as the national key scenic spot by States Council. It’s also the largest key scenic spot in size in China and one of the areas which have the most various species in the world. The size of the Three River Parallel Flow is more than one hundred and seventy square kilometers including Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Diqing Zang Autonomous Prefecture and Lijiang City.

In the essay, the famous scenic spots of Lijiang such as Yulong Snow Mountain, Laojun Mountain, Lashi Lake and Shuhe Ancient Town will be talked about their ecotourism development. These four scenic spots are involved in the Three River Parallel Flow Scenic Region and they all have large value in protecting and developing ecotourism.

3 .1 Ecotourism of Yulong Snow Mountain

Yulong Snow Mountain is famous for its precipitous, elegant and marvelous scene. The Yulong Snow Mountain lies in the north 15kilometers from the Town of Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County. The highest peak Shanzidou, 5,596 meters high, together with the other 13 peaks compose the Yulong Snow Mountain. Running from south to north, the mountain looks like a giant crystal jade dragon and thus gets the name of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Since it has been explored a few years ago, it became the scenic spot where tourists must go and travel. The basic condition of development is protecting the ecological environment. The main scenery types of Yulong Snow Mountain are glaciers, snow mountains and mountainous plains. Compared to traditional tourism, Yulong Snow Mountain is good for ecotourism including modern glacier sightseeing tour, skiing tour, science inspection and so on. These original tour resources on Yulong Snow Mountain are rarely seen in Yunnan and they must be protected in the process of traveling. Besides, these ecotourism programs are not isolated. They can be developed in the same scenic spot. For example, Shanzidou, main pesk of Yulong Snow Mountain is not only fit for modern glacier sightseeing, but also science inspection tour. So, protections of these tour resources are very important for the long and healthy development of ecotourism of Yulong Snow Mountain. 

3.1.1 Modern Glacier Sightseeing Tour

The glacier and the seas of snow spread all over the Yulong Snow Mountain. Because of owning the complete types of glacier, the Yulong Snow Mountain is known as “the Museum of Natural Glacier”8. Tourists climb the Yulong Snow Mountain by cableway. Tourists can enjoy the wonder of glacier standing on the sightseeing platforms. When shined under the sun, it forms all kinds of forests of ice pagodas. Tourists can enjoy the original shape of nature. The glaciers on the mountain are rarely seen in Yunnan even China, so the protection of the glaciers is very important. The key of protection is preventing the glaciers from melting. The man-made platforms can destroy the glaciers. So, it’s better for tourists to see the glaciers far away in case to destroy the glaciers.

3.1.2 Skiing Tour

The skiing site of Yulong Snow Mountain lies in the eastern foot of the mountain with 20 kilometers far from Lijiang Ancient Town. Here is the highest place at which tourist can arrive. Standing in the skiing site, the 13 peaks of Yulong Snow Mountain are seen wholly; and other scenic spots such as Ganhaizi, Yunshanping, and Maoniuping all come into sight. It’s the “warmest” and closest skiing site from the equator of earth with the elevation between 4,500 and 4,700 meters. For those who are from southern China, skiing is very attractive. Skiing tour is the important ecotourism program on Yulong Snow Mountain. As the number of people who come here to ski increases, the skiing site faces the problem of snow melting and environment pollution. So, the number of skiers must be limited and the skiing site manager should take more education to protect the environment of skiing site for tour guides and tourist. 

3.1.3 Natural Scenery Tour

In the east foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, there are many mountain plains from the south to the north such as Ganhaizi, Yunshanping, and Maoniuping and so on. They are all the important parts of Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Spot. On the plains, tourists can see the whole shape of the mountain and enjoy the original forest. These mountain plains are very precious and they are all the traces of glaciers. In the process of traveling, tour guides must tell tourists the knowledge of protecting these plains and prevent tourists throwing garbage on the plains. Besides, it’s better to construct some caution boards to remind people protect the plains and plants here.

3.1.4 Science Inspection Tour

The glacier of Yulong Snow Mountain belongs to the typical maritime glacier and it’s very sensitive to the environment and climate. The research of glacier relates to the problems of environment, resources, economy development and so on. The Yulong Snow Mountain is a huge natural reservoir. Water resource of glacier is the guarantee of local people. The quality and quantity of glacier is very important for Lijiang people’s life and producing activities. So the research on the change of glacier and water resource are also the important content of science inspection, and it’s superior for the research on bio-diversity and cycling of plants and animals resource.

3.2 Ecotourism of Lashihai Lake of Lijiang

3.2.1Geological Situation

Lashihai Lake lies in the middle of Lashi basin 8 kilometers far from east Lijiang Ancient Town. Lashihai belongs to mountainous climate of low latitude. The area of surface of Lashihai is 5,330 hectares and originates from Qingshui River and Meiquan River. Lashihai was constructed as a provincial natural reserve. The wet land here is listed as one of the 173 important wet lands in China. Nowadays, there has recorded 58 migrant waterfowls in the natural reserve which is the 43% of Yunnan and 21% of China. Also, there are nearly 10 kinds of national level 1 and level 2 protected birds and Lashihai has been the richest lake of waterfowls which come here for over wintering.9

3.2.2 Programs of Ecotourism

The aim of ecotourism is to make the tourists well know and protect the nature. So, when the government develops ecotourism, the theme of “back to the nature” must be pursued and emphasized on the natural scenery of the scenic spots. As the development of viewing birds’ activity, the most attractive ecotourism program of Lashihai is viewing bird tour according to the condition of the natural reserve.

Grus nigricollis was first found in Lashihai of Lijiang in March, 1997. Now, Lashihai is the over wintering habitat of Grus nigricollis and other precious birds. Under several years’ hard working, it has the advantages to develop ecotourism and ideal viewing bird area. Human and birds live harmoniously. Every winter, the view bird’s tour held with the theme of protecting wet lands and birds will attract more and more bird-lovers to come to Lashihai. The ecotourism with viewing bird as its representative is the strategic supplement of the development of ecotourism in Lijiang. From every November to March of next year, the migrant birds coming into Lijiang for over wintering provide the ecological resource for tourists. It can abolish some disadvantages of winter tour of Lijiang. It’s also good for raising the taste of ecotourism of Lijiang, promoting the development of economy, strengthening the awareness of loving birds and improving the own ecological environment of Lashihai Natural Reserve. As far as now, “there are nearly 10 kinds of national level 1 and level 2 protected birds in the list of birds more than 80,000 kinds of over wintering birds in Lashihai Natural Reserve. For example, Grus nigricollis is the national level 1 protected bird and it’s the only plateau crane surviving in the world”.10 Their beautiful and elegant images are looked as the symbol of beauty, luck and happiness. Grus monacha is also the national level 1 protected bird. Ciconia nigra has the high demands of reproduction, migrant and living environment during over wintering. Especially, the water area of seeking food must be limpid without pollution and non-freezing in winter. Lashihai Natural Reserve provides the exacting require for Ciconia nigra. Under the better protection and exploring, the eco-system is well protected and the purpose of exploring without destroying the nature has been realized.

3.3 Development and Protection of Laojunshan Forest Ecotourism

The core area of the Three River Parallel Flow region, Laojunshan Mountain, lies in the joint place of Lijiang Yulong County, Dali Jianchuan County and Nujiang Lanping County, which belongs to the main mountain range of Hengduan mountain system. The key area of Laojunshan Scenic Spot is 710 square kilometers with many forests, lakes and hills.

3.3.1 Forest Ecotourism Development

     The virginal forests of Laojun Mountain are preserved very completely and the scenery is very beautiful. In different seasons, the different sceneries provide the different feelings for tourists. In spring and summer, trees of azalea on Laojun Mountain come into blooms everywhere. Thousands of azalea make Laojun Mountain be the sea of flowers and the mountain of flowers. Except azalea, there are also many famous mountain flowers such as Fairy Primrose, Rough gentian, Yunnan magnolia and Meconopsis. When in winter, snow and ice hang on the trees just like the scenery of northern China. What’s most needed to mention is that the precious national level 1 protected animal, Rhinopithecuc bieti, live in the areas of conifers and foliages at the elevation between 3,300 and 4,200 meters on Laojun Mountain.

Forest ecotourism is a kind of tourism activity with forest scenery as its main part and cultural scenery as the foil. “The rich forest ecotourism resources make Lijiang be the ideal place for developing forest ecotourism. Also, the development of forest ecotourism will promote the economic development of mountain areas, fasten the steps of improving living standard and strengthen the ability of sustainable development of forest industry.”11 As the fast development of tourism of Lijiang since 1990s, the forest ecotourism also has kept the fast developing situation. Specially, Laojun Mountain has higher value of environment, scenery aesthetics and science of forest ecotourism resources.

3.3.2 The Protection of Plants Resources of Laojunshan Ecotourism

Laojun Mountain is the key area of the Three River Parallel Flow region and the government of Yunnan has put it into the list of important exploring area of ecotourism in the period of the fifteen plan of Yunnan government. Laojun Mountain is one of the areas which have the most integrated original environment and ecotourism in the world. So, in the development of Laojunshan ecotourism, it should pay attention to protect ecological environment, especially the protection of forests resources. Only putting the spirit of protecting ecotourism into the development and management can make the tourism industry develop forever. To the protection of plants resources of Laojunshan Scenic Spot, it must be realized by the methods of law-making, popularization, carrying the strategy of sustainable development and so on. Concretely, we must adopt the following ways:

1. Fix on the subjects of protection;

2. Explore in different areas;

     3. Construct ecotourism service facilities;

     4. Control the number of tourists;

     5. Train the ecotourism guides;

     6. Explore the program of environment education;

     7. Make use of the function of aiding poverty of ecotourism;

     8. Give play to the function of ethnic culture to protect plants resources.12

   The adoption of these measures can promote the protection of forest resources and they can help the tourists enjoy the forest scenery and learn about forest ecosystem at the same time.

3.4 Ecotourism Development of Shuhe Ancient Town

   Ecotourism development must relate to the cultural development. The local people, Naxi nationalities, have the particular and ancient characteristics. According to the situation of Shuhe’s society and economy, the three aspects, the protection of styles and features of the town, water resources protection and using, and old architectures’ protection and using, will be developed. The new development of “Shuhe style” will be carried out under the basic conditions of protection.

   The town of Shuhe lies 4 kilometers from Lijiang Ancient Town with the name of “Town of Clear Springs”13. The villages are around by 3 hills and 3 rivers. So, the development of Shuhe must keep its original appearances of architectures to keep the particular local culture. The shape of Shuhe Ancient Town is different from Lijiang Ancient City and the usual villages. So, under the premise of sustaining the integrity and specialty, the roads of the town must be reconstructed. At the same time, the river facilities should be remade for preventing pollution. By the training for the local people to join in the activity of ecotourism, it should explore the program of family travel to increase the income of families so as to promote the development of local economy. Furthermore, Naxi ancient music and dance, life style and other cases can make tourist non-forgetting. Of course, ecotourism products are also the necessary part of Lijiang ecotourism. “The local people must manage with ecological spirit and emphasize the theme of “green, nature and health” in order to improve the living standard, such as Chinese medicinal herbs including Thamnolia vermicularis, Cordyceps sinesis, Gastrodia elata, Panax pseudo-ginseng and so on; health product including Spirulina and Prinsepia utilis.”14 In a word, the awarness of ecology must be instilled in the development of Shuhe Ancient Town.

3.5 Suggestions for Ecotourism in Lijiang

   Ecotourism has the biggest characteristics of protection. For tourists, they must learn about the natural and cultural characteristics of Lijiang. At the same time, tourists should respect the local culture of Lijiang. In the scenic spots, tourists mustn’t throw away garbage and destroy the protected plants and any animals. Public activity for protecting ecological environment also needs the tourists to join in.  

   For travel services and tour guides, tour guides must instill the awareness of protecting nature to the tourists. The tour destiny must be choosen in the areas which have the conditions of developing ecotourism and it is better to avoid the weak and sensitive ecological areas. Besides, travel services and offices should train tour guides in order to make them know the concept of ecotourism. Travel services also must arrange the tour guide who well understands the local culture for traveling.

   In natural reserves, the number of tourists must be limited in order to prevent over-using ecotourism resources. At the same time, environment education facilities are needed to provide the relevant ecotourism information to tourists and tour guides. In a word, the spirit of protecting the ecological environment must be kept in the whole process in order to make ecotourism develop healthily and sustain ably and then profit for the development of Lijiang Ecotourism.

4. Conclusion

  Lijiang is a famous tour place in the world and has abundant tour resources. In recent years, its tourism develops very fast and it results in some environmental and economic problems. The essay centers on the theme of ecotourism and nature to introduce the various ecotourism resources in Lijiang with some famous scenic spots as its examples. At the same time, some suggestions are made to help the development of ecotourism. The essay aims to protect the ecological environment of Lijiang and popularize for the sustainable development of Lijiang tourism industry. “However, it has been a long way to go for the goal of development of ecotourism in the case of Lijiang. It’s very nice if any international organization or expert help Naxi people and Lijiang government in ecotourism development of Lijiang.”15

Notes

1张建萍. 生态旅游理论与实践. 北京：中国旅游出版社，2001.

2杨桂芳. 丽江生态旅游. 丽江：云南教育出版社，2005，5.

3 世界自然基金会中国网站 中国生态旅游研究综述 2002.9.25.

4 杨桂芳. 丽江生态旅游. 丽江：云南教育出版社，2005，5.

5 Ibid，56.

6吴宝璋，何昌邑. 云南导游必备手册. 昆明：云南大学出版社，1999.8.

7 Ibid，306.

8杨桂芳 丽江生态旅游. 丽江：云南教育出版社，2005，5.

9 Ibid，132.

10王洪道. 中国的湖泊. 北京：商务印书馆，1996.

11中共丽江市委宣传部等. 锦绣丽江. 海口：海口教育出版社，2003.

12杨桂芳. 丽江生态旅游. 丽江：云南教育出版社，2005，5.

13杨福泉. 走进纳西人的心灵和家园. 昆明：云南民族出版社，1999.

14杨桂芳. 丽江生态旅游. 丽江：云南教育出版社，2005，5.

15Zhang, Hong, The sustainable development of Tourism of

Lijiang(http://ma.caudillweb.com/documents/bridging/papers/hong.zhang.pdf)

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