Carrying capacity and its implications in a Chinese ancient village: the case of Hongcun.

Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Huizhou architecture and annual visitation of 1.6 million, faces significant social carrying capacity challenges due to overcrowding. A spatial model analysis reveals that the village's social limits are being exceeded, impacting resident life. The study suggests two potential futures: either implementing strict visitation quotas to preserve UNESCO status or transforming into a Huizhou culture-themed park to accommodate mass tourism. Survey data from residents underscores the urgency of addressing these issues.

Zhao, G., Deng, Z., Shen, J., Ryan, C., & Gong, J. (2018). Carrying capacity and its implications in a Chinese ancient village: the case of Hongcun. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 23(3), 260–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2017.1421566