Tourist Experience in Lijiang—The Capital ofYanyu

Lijiang’s Old Town, known as the 'capital of Yanyu,' functions as a liminal space that fosters romantic and intimate interactions among tourists, distinct from everyday social norms. Unlike traditional sex/romance tourism involving locals, this phenomenon primarily involves interactions between male and female tourists, reflecting shifting attitudes toward sexual relationships without necessarily implying explicit encounters. The study, based on observations, interviews, and web content analysis, reveals that while most visitors do not seek deliberate love affairs, they embrace a romantic atmosphere in this ambiguous environment. This finding highlights the unique dynamics of gender relationships in leisure tourism destinations like Lijiang.

Xu, H., & Ye, T. (2016). Tourist Experience in Lijiang—The Capital ofYanyu. Journal of China Tourism Research, 12(1), 108–125. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388160.2016.1168758