Musicking Tourism: Music Performance in Bars in the Tourist Industry in the Contemporary Old Town of Lijiang, Yunnan

Music performances in bars have played a pivotal role in transforming Lijiang's tourism industry, creating a new cultural image that blends urban bar culture with minority traditions. This study reveals how the integration of diverse musical influences fostered a unique romantic atmosphere, significantly boosting Lijiang's appeal as a tourist destination. By analyzing archival data, conducting interviews, and engaging in participant observation, researchers traced the evolution of music performance in bars, demonstrating its reciprocal relationship with tourism and social-cultural changes. The findings highlight how this previously overlooked aspect of bar culture has become integral to Lijiang's identity, challenging conventional perceptions and contributing to its economic prosperity.

Yang, S. (2016). Musicking Tourism: Music Performance in Bars in the Tourist Industry in the Contemporary Old Town of Lijiang, Yunnan. The Urban Gaze: Exploring Urbanity through Art, Architecture, Music, Fashion, Film and Media, 71–82. https://doi.org/10.1163/9781848884533_008