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Challenges in Archaeological Tourism in China

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Abstract

Worldwide archaeological tourism, or tourism to sites with archaeological significance, has been rapidly growing and has attracted increased academic attention in recent years. China is an outstanding case in this field. In fact, its government has been actively promoting tourism and archaeological tourism for the last three decades. The understanding of the challenges that Chinese archaeological tourism is currently facing is the focus of this article. Four aspects will guide the discussion: the dilemma between site preservation and economic profitability, unregulated tourism development, the influence of UNESCO World Heritage designation, and authorities’ sensitivity towards ethnic issues in archaeological tourism.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to deliver my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, professor Margarita Díaz-Andreu, for her constant support, invaluable guidance, and great inspiration. My sincere acknowledgement and appreciation go to Professor Paul Taçon (Griffith University) and Professor Robert E. Murowchick (Boston University), for their precious help, support and suggestions. I also feel very grateful to Professor Magnus Fiskesjö (Cornell University) and Professor Selia Jinhua Tan (Wuyi University), whose comments and advices have greatly improved this paper. In addition, I would like to thank my friends Panayiotis Panayides, Dr. James Walker, and all the members of GAPP (Grup d’Arqueologia Pública i Patrimoni). Your support and advices have encouraged me enormously in my pursuit of PhD research.

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  1. Department of Prehistory, Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Qian Gao

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Gao, Q. Challenges in Archaeological Tourism in China. Int J Histor Archaeol 20, 422–436 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10761-016-0333-x

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