Snow Mountain Academy stresses conservation of local Lijiang culture

Nearly 40 scholars from Lijiang's cultural circle and new city residents attended a special lecture covering New Lijiang People and Lijiang Culture at the Snow Mountain Academy in the old town of Lijiang on Sept 21. The lecture was given by Yang Guoqing, chairman of the Lijiang Culture Research Association.

During the lecture, Yang elaborated in-depth on problems facing Lijiang's culture and civilization and on new concepts and measures to preserve and pass down national culture. He also mentioned that residents new to Lijiang should shoulder the responsibility to protect and pass down local culture and integrate into local communities.

Yang Guoqing said the responsibilities of preservation and inheritance of Lijiang's traditional national cultures and Naxi civilization development will fall on not only old Lijiang residents and natives, but also new Lijiang residents and Naxi people across the nation. With new concepts, skills and knowledge, they are capable of protecting and inheriting this excellent national culture. It is an important historical mission.

The development of Lijiang's tourism, the population change, and the huge loss of natives has made it more difficult to protect and pass down local culture. Newcomers to Lijiang need to take the initiative to integrate into the local community and fully appreciate the value and significance of Lijiang's regional culture.

The Naxi ethnic group and other natives should, with an open mind, accept newcomers and help them learn about the local culture and civilization.

Eidted by Zhao Qian and Michael Thai