Publications
Research on the Application Strategy and Sustainable Development of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from the Perspective of World Heritage Sites
A sustainable development model for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway emerges as a potential candidate for UNESCO World Heritage recognition, balancing heritage tourism with environmental and cultural preservation. The study leverages comparative analysis of global railway linear heritage sites, evaluating criteria such as geographical location, landscape diversity, and protection measures. Using Ovi Interactive Map data, researchers highlight the unique challenges and opportunities along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, proposing strategies to integrate its ecological, cultural, and infrastructural significance into broader World Heritage frameworks.
Spatial-temporal behaviour of hikers in the southeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: insights from volunteered geographic information
Hikers exhibit distinct spatial-temporal behaviors compared to traditional tourists, with significant implications for sustainable tourism planning and management. A study analyzing the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites—revealed that hikers differ markedly in travel duration, mode, and destination preferences. Researchers leveraged volunteered geographic information (VGI) alongside seasonal intensity indices, kernel density analysis, line density analysis, and K-means clustering to map these patterns. The findings highlight critical insights for regional tourism development, particularly in balancing conservation with visitor engagement in this ecologically and culturally rich area.
Tourism at the roof of the world: young hosts assess tourism community futures in Lhasa, Tibet
Young Tibetan 'post-80s' youth prioritize environmental preservation, cultural appreciation, and open-minded tourism policies for Lhasa's future. This study reveals their nuanced perceptions of tourism assets—ranging from heritage sites to local customs—and identifies four distinct groups with varying levels of support for tourism as a livelihood choice. Using social representations theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the research integrates emic and etic approaches through photo-elicitation interviews, focus groups, and surveys, offering insights into community-level aspirations in a non-Western urban context. Findings highlight the influence of cultural values, institutional arrangements, and vulnerability on tourism perceptions, while contrasting urban and suburban youth preferences for community-based development over external investment.
Quantitative Assessment of Spatial Pattern of Geodiversity in the Tibetan Plateau
Areas of very high geodiversity on the Tibetan Plateau—including the Pamir Plateau, Mt. Kunlun, and the Lhasa region—correlate with international tourist destinations such as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks. This study quantifies geodiversity across 1145 areas using 96 abiotic units in six geo-groups (hydrology, pedology, landform, elevation, geology, and geosites), revealing that zones with high geodiversity hold significant potential for geotourism development. The research employs a normalized geodiversity index to assess spatial patterns, offering new insights for geoconservation planning in China.
Through the eyes of the Potala Palace: Difficult heritage and memory in Tibet
China's management of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Tibetan culture, serves as a tool for state-led narratives that undermine Tibetan identity. The study reveals how the palace, once a spiritual center, has been stripped of its religious significance and repurposed for tourism under Chinese control. This transformation, facilitated by heritage management strategies, alters collective memory and suppresses Tibetan culture. The research highlights the tension between cultural preservation and political appropriation, demonstrating how global recognition like UNESCO listing can be exploited to enforce state narratives over local heritage.
Asset-based community development as applied to tourism in Tibet
A pioneering tourism study demonstrates the feasibility of using asset-based community development (ABCD) as a strategy for poverty alleviation, particularly in politically sensitive regions like Tibet. The research, conducted in Lhasa, identified five key tourism assets—including world heritage sites and underdeveloped local resources such as traditional Tibetan yards and medicines—that hold significant potential for sustainable development. Through mixed-methods approaches, including photo-elicitation interviews and surveys, the study mapped community perceptions of asset value, development challenges, and desirability, revealing nuanced insights into local priorities. This work not only advances theoretical frameworks for community-based tourism but also provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of integrating emic perspectives in marginalized environments.
Detection of Delamination in Wall Paintings by Ground Penetrating Radar
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) emerges as a powerful tool for detecting delamination in wall paintings, particularly in culturally significant sites like the Potala Palace. Delamination, a prevalent issue causing separation between plaster and support surfaces, poses severe threats to the integrity of ancient murals, often leading to surface cracks or complete paint loss. This study highlights GPR's effectiveness in identifying such structural weaknesses, which affect over 75% of wall paintings in Tibetan heritage sites due to environmental degradation, biological factors, and material aging. By analyzing electromagnetic wave behavior through different media, the research provides a non-invasive method for conservationists to assess and monitor delamination risks without physical damage.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa