Response Actions to the COVID-19 Pandemic in a World Heritage Site: A Case Study of the Old Town of Lijiang, China

The Old Town of Lijiang (OToL) successfully mitigated the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through adaptive response strategies. These included coordinated government management, stringent prevention measures, technological integration, community engagement, and public education campaigns. Unlike other heritage sites that suffered severe tourism revenue losses, OToL maintained stability by balancing crisis response with sustainable tourism recovery. The study highlights a model for resilience in World Heritage Sites, offering lessons for future crises and post-pandemic development. It underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration—government officials, local residents, and business owners—in navigating global disruptions while preserving cultural integrity.

-, C., & Jaafar, M. (2025). RESPONSE ACTIONS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A WORLD HERITAGE SITE: A CASE STUDY OF THE OLD TOWN OF LIJIANG, CHINA. Planning Malaysia, 23. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i36.1750