Cross-Cultural

Cross Misconceptions: Application

-Cultural Misconceptions: Application of
of
World Heritage
World Heritage Concepts
Concepts in
in Scenic
Scenic and
and Historic
Historic
Interest Areas
Interest Areas in
in China
China

Feng Han
Associate Professor
Department of Landscape Science and Tourism
College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP)
Tongji University, Shanghai, China
 Outline of Presentation

1. Introduction
2. Traditional Chinese View of Nature
3. Cross-cultural Misconceptions
4. Cultural Tradition Vs Science and
Globalization
5. Case Studies
6. Comments and Arguments
1. Introduction

Scenic and Historic Interest Areas in China

• Founded in 1982;
• 151 National Designated Units by 2003;
• Significant Components of the World Heritage (15 of 29);
• Perfect Images of the Chinese Natural Perspective;
• Perfect Places of Outstanding Natural and Cultural Qualities;
• Most Popular Tourism Destinations in China;
• Many Conflicts Arising.
2. Traditional Chinese View of Nature
Fan Kuan, Northern Song Dynasty (960~1127AD)
Emperor Hui Zong (1082~1135AD), Southern Song Dynasty
Traditional Chinese View of Nature:
Being harmony and oneness with Nature

1. It is humanistic rather than religious;

2. It is aesthetic rather than scientific;
3. There is great value and beauty embedded in Nature itself;
4. It is consistent with human moral and personality;
5. Nature is the extension of home; it is an enjoyable and inspiring place;
6. Artistic re-built Nature is more beautiful than the original one;
7. Nature aesthetics and practice are highly developed in China;
8. Travelling in Nature aims to be enjoyable, instead of solitude oriented.
3. World Heritage Categories: Cross-cultural Misconceptions

3.1 The Detachment of Nature and Culture

• Natural Heritage
• Cultural Heritage
• Mixed Heritage
• Cultural Landscape
3.2 Cultural Landscape: A Problematic Concept

In the West: In China:

• Settlement;Everyday • Aesthetic-oriented;
life; • Traditional aesthetic
• All interfaces between culture has profound
humans and Nature; influence;
• Beyond aesthetic, the • Creating ‘pristine’
past. wilderness.
4. Cultural Tradition Vs Science and Globalization in China

4.1 The Influence of Cultural Tradition

• Being harmony and oneness with Nature

– Nature is an open-air home, which is comfortable and enjoyable;
– Occupy Nature and take it for granted unconsciously.

• The great achievement of natural aesthetics

– The rebuilt Nature is more beautiful than the original;
– Love man-made structures and altered-landscapes.
4.2 Contemporary Environmental Science and Globalization

* Re-thinking the relationship between humans and Nature;

* The foundation of contemporary Western environment
movement;
* Hot debates: wilderness, ecological restoration……
4.3 Conflicts

• The removal of local inhabitants from Natural Heritage site;

• The restriction of man-made structures in Natural Heritage site;
• Huge demolition for World Heritage Application.
5. Case Study 1: Demolition in Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Areas
World Natural Heritage
5. Case Study 2: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area:
An Artifical Natural “Earthly Fairyland”
5. Case Study 3: Wudang Mountain Scenic and Historic Interest Area:
World Cultural Heritage
6. Comments and Arguments

• Local inhabitants are organic part of heritage;

• Wilderness and pristine Nature is not the authenticity of

heritage.

• Living culture is in danger in World Heritage sites in

China.
• World Heritage should not be a golden brand of Tourism.

• Implement policies should to be based on specific

culture.
Facts mean nothing if they are not related to desires. It is not
complete if we only have facts, unless they are related to
purpose and entirety. It can’t prevent us from disaster and
despair if we only have science without philosophy, only facts
without perspective and value.

-------- Durant 2001

Thank you