Planned 'French village' in China's Ancient Cultural Town Stirs Controversy

A resort touting French style-buildings in an ancient cultural area of the popular tourist city Lijiang in Yunnan Province has sparked huge controversy for possible damage to historical heritage as well as the local environment, China Youth Daily reported.

The local government announced on Sept. 5 that Yulong Village of Baisha Town will be home to a complex of hotels and commercial buildings called French Mediterranean Lijiang Ecotourism Holiday Village.

Construction plans for the resort have raised fears among locals, who argue that the project wouldimpact the iconic "snow mountains, grassy plains and ancient towns" landscapes, inheritance and the protection of traditional culture, while actually dampening Lijiang's competitiveness as a tourist draw.

Baisha Town was historically the political, military and cultural center of Lijiang in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and is today home to well-preserved ancient architecture and traditional folk customs, earning it the name of "the ancient capital of Naxi Culture".

Critics of the planned French village also say the local environment, a key water resource for Lijiang, is too vulnerable for large-scale commercial real estate development.

Lijiang is already suffering a water crisis as a result of glacial melting and over-exploitation. The city's per-capital water resources are less than 600 cubic meters, indicating a serious water shortage.

In response to opposition, the local government said it would tighten the examination and approval process, promising that they would never approve projects designed to showcase modern development.