Eastern Edge Of Tibetan Tourism Development And Its Social And Cultural Impact

This doctorate dissertation has been designed to make comparative research on the tourism development and its influence on socio-culture in Aba Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Sichuan and Diqin Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Yunnan. These 3 regions are in the east of Qingzang plateau respectively which happen to be in the 3 consecutive phases of gradual tourism development. Different influence on the local society and culture by the tourism development can be clearly presented by a great deal of field research materials and first-hand statistics of field sample surveys.The geographic condition within this region is very complicated with plateaus, mountainous regions, grassland and valleys, particularly characterized by valleys. The tourist resources here are so bountiful and diversified, but it is remote area and the economy is lagging behind. Being considered as the " gene database for animal and plants", it is the world-famous area of specie pluralism. In the transverse mountainous region, climate and plants vary vertically in belt-shape zones. The Tibetan culture has been retained as the majority with the co-existence of diversified nationalities cultures, and the different nationalities cultures interact peacefully and absorb what is needed by one another. Each sub-region has become relatively-independent geographic, cultural and economic unit because it is situated at the corridor of pluralism culture and because the region has been divided by this unique geomorphology geographically, economically and spaciously, thus making the disparity of the local culture very conspicuous. The pluralism in culture and the geographic difference reflected in culture are very obvious features of eastern Tibetan area of Qingzang plateau.A careful and thorough research should be taken as to tackle the problem of developing the economy. Should we adopt the modernization (ie urbanization or industrialization) mode or the traditional one? What kind of a path should we choose to develop the Tibetan economy? Modernization (or urbanization) could navoidably bring all around crisis to the traditional etiquette, morality, customs and religiousbelieves. The over-exploitation of the natural resources is also inevitable which is surely not suitable for the development of the Tibetan region for it ruins the tourist attractions Meanwhile, the traditional husbandry and forestry is not practically workable. However the Tibetan people's need of living a modernized life must be met properly. Therefore this essay presents the third mode for economicdevelopment in Tibetan region, that is-"the path to modern living". The core ofthis path is to limit the urbanization and industrialization, and the same time, to protect the ecology condition and residential environment, to nurture new ecologic industries and to develop green economy represented by tourism . All that's been mentioned not only secure the Tibetan's people's need to enjoy modern life, but also retain their traditional culture and ecologic environment. More importantly, tourism (ie the third path) can help the Tibetan people to realize the economic development of "leaping-over"The development of "leaping-over" refers to the strategy that less developed countries carry out some super normal, high-efficiency and sustainable development in some key regions and industries by means of imbalance of priority, absorbing the glorious human civilization and advanced managerial experience and expertise as well. Tourism is most suitable to this kind of mode. The development of tourism is similar with the development mode of the post-industry phase in that they both aim at protecting the resource and the environment. Tourist development can manage to help an area to realize the "catching-up" development by leaping over the industrialization phase. And it can also make the redistribution of fortune from region to region possible, thus the poorer area's participation of fair distribution of affluence is not unreachable. As what will be manif...