Many experts have expressed concern that as development brings
more tourists and investment, traditional local ethnic culture may
disappear or become misrepresented.
Luo Kaiyu, vice-curator of Wuhou Temple in Chengdu, pointed out
that the Boulder Tombs require immediate protection.
"Only about 100 Boulder Tombs have been left intact. The local
people and the local government must pay more attention to these
invaluable treasures," said Luo, who suggested that when
development is inevitable, some tombs could be relocated to a
specialized museum.
Luo has written articles about the burial customs of
southwestern minorities. Although the seminar was his first chance
to see the Boulder Tombs, he immediately recognized their
value.
"The Boulder Tombs are unique in China and the world," said Luo.
"The Yi minority culture and the Boulder Tombs are the most
important ways in which Liangshan can develop tourism."
But merely protecting cultural relics is not enough, said Luo.
He said that by properly integrating the Boulder Tombs with
tourism, a new impetus could be given to regional economic
development. This, in turn, would enable researchers to better
protect the ancient tombs.
Cross-disciplinary co-operation is needed to effectively protect
the cultural heritage at Liangshan, said Liu Hong, whose museum
sponsored the seminar.
"Ethnological and archaeological studies of the Tibet-Yi
Corridor are an immense project. In-depth studies of this
ethnically diverse region will require the efforts of many
institutions," he said.
(China Daily July 11, 2006)
