Ancient villages in Lijiang require more protection

Lijiang is located in the northwest of Yunnan province and borders Sichuan province. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Old Town of Lijiang has a history of more than 800 years and has become one of the region's top tourist destinations. The town’s protection is very important.

Fires occurring frequently in recent years in Yunnan province have brought great losses, especially culturally. China's accelerated urbanization and booming tourism have threatened preservation. In response to these tough challenges, the government has made efforts to increase financial support and strengthen construction of infrastructure. It has invested 2.4 billion yuan ($400 million) since 2008. They have also tried to develop science and technology, which can improve innovation rapidly.

According to recent reports, the Old Town of Lijiang has already perfected a fire safety management system. But there is still much the local government can do to protect the ancient villages. They should strike a fine balance between economic achievements and ecological preservation.