Man devotes to preserving 'vivid' Naxi culture

"I think it's my responsibility to pass down our culture, which is so vivid and charming, and let more people know about it," he said, adding that most Naxi people live in Lijiang. "That's why I came back here after graduation. The origin of Naxi culture is here."

His devotion to cultural protection is greatly supported by the local government, and they entrusted He to open the experience center in the busiest area of the Old Town in 2016. They give him 400,000 yuan ($59,600) a year for daily maintenance and other expenses.

"The local government offered us this two-story cultural courtyard with traditional Naxi characteristics as our center, covering about 300 square meters. We have divided it into several rooms for exhibitions and classrooms," he said.

He and four other Naxi guides work 14 hours a day.

"During peak seasons, we can barely drink a sip of water," he said. "It's hard, but it's worth it. We are so proud of what we are doing."

By the end of last year, there were 17 free cultural courtyards in the Old Town of Lijiang, including He's. With the support of the local government, 12 more are expected to open to the public this year.

"I think the courtyard is a window to promoting the culture of Lijiang, as well as an important base for visitors to learn and try by themselves to have a more comprehensive understanding of our culture," he said.

He's experience center has also partnered with travel agencies, summer camps and schools to offer free training classes on Naxi culture, receiving more than 7,000 students each year.

"Without the courtyard, nothing would be close to possible," he said.

To prevent the Old Town from becoming too commercialized after years of tourism development, the local government has set up a specialized annual fund of 10 million yuan for its cultural protection.

"Lijiang has long been on China's name card to the world with the Old Town as its core," said He Tang with the protection and administrative bureau of Lijiang Old Town. "For sustainable development, we must spare no effort in protecting our culture, and make it one of the most attractive parts of the city."

All buildings in the Old Town are required to maintain traditional ethnic characteristics.

Dancing halls and internet bars were among those that were inconsistent with the ancient Old Town, and have all been closed.

A total of 299 traditional houses and 236 yards have so far been restored and renovated by the local government and the Global Heritage Fund.

"We also invite folk artists and culture inheritors to show their skills in the Old Town to attract more tourists. On traditional festivals, we hold grand celebrations in the Old Town," He Tang said.

More than 90 sets of books telling stories of Lijiang and the Naxi culture have also been published, the official said.

He Runyuan said: "Our life is limited, but so long as everyone makes an effort, the life of a culture can exist forever."

Xinhua