Overview
In the early evening of February 3, 1996, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck Lijiang, Dali and Di Qing Prefectures in Yunnan Province. Three hundred and nine people were killed and more than 4,000 people were seriously injured. Severe property damage involved some 410,000 housing units and affected about one million people. Schools, hospitals and community facilities were destroyed, as well as local enterprises and infrastructure. While this earthquake was not a major disaster by Chinese or world standards, its effects seriously threatened the regional economy. The cost for reconstruction was estimated at $482 million.
In order to assist in normalizing life and economic activity in the area, the World Bank mobilized a quick response via the Yunnan Earthquake Reconstruction Program. An existing Bank credit was amended to enable $30 million in reconstruction support, including a $7 million cultural heritage conservation component. The project undertook an urban repair and reconstruction program to replace and re-equip essential social and economic infrastructure, and to restore and rehabilitate traditional housing and other cultural assets in the area.
One of the most dramatic of these cultural assets is the historic city of Lijiang, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This ancient city has made use of the fine design traditions of Han houses on the Central Plains, while also incorporating the best of local minority groups’ architectural styles. The unique urban landscape is enhanced by the fact that old Lijiang is surrounded by hills which separate it from most 20th century construction in the new part of the city.
Living Culture
Today, Lijiang is known not only for its natural and architectural beauty, but also for its vibrant traditional culture. Ethnic groups in the area, especially the Naxi, have kept many of their old customs. Agriculture is still the area’s main economic activity. Over many centuries, the Naxi have built terraced fields and an intricate network of irrigation and drainage canals. About 30 percent of Lijiang’s residents are still engaged in traditional handicraft occupations and commercial activities. Craftsmen make utilitarian items from copper, brass, silver, leather and fur. Local textiles and wine are also produced.
Naxi traditional music dates back to the Han dynasty. While this music is now forgotten in the rest of China, the Naxi have handed down the songs and playing skills from father to son over many centuries. Naxi musical groups still perform for tourists and play for their own enjoyment.
The ancient Naxi written language is an extraordinary system of pictographs created 1,000 years ago. Some 1,400 characters were used in recording such works as "The Myth of Creation" and "The Origin and History of Dance." Today, Naxi experts and international scholars are working to translate these texts. Researchers are finding clues to ancient philosophy, religion, customs, history, and ethnic relations.
Eighty per cent of the current population has lived in Old Lijiang for several generations. Although the effect is not easily quantifiable, the inhabitants of Lijiang have an obvious sense of community and a strong identity with their urban environment.
Urban Upgrading and Conservation
The earthquake caused significant damage to the Old City’s housing and service infrastructure. Residents’ low income levels and dislocation by the earthquake made rebuilding a daunting task. Since the city is an internationally acclaimed heritage site, it was especially important to assist in rebuilding people’s homes, and to ensure that reconstruction maintained the historic quality of the buildings.
The Bank worked with Lijiang's administration to address the needs of the displaced and poor population by providing grants for home repair. This work focused on improving living standards, increasing earthquake resistant construction and preserving the World Heritage quality of the buildings. Infrastructure work repaired sanitary facilities, drainage and the water supply system.
Historic Conservation and Job Creation
An important cultural site in Lijiang is the Mu Family Compound, an administrative center established by the local ruling family in 1382. Over the next 340 years the Mu family developed the compound with elaborate administrative, ceremonial, religious, entertainment and domestic structures. Since the 1700s, when the family lost power, many buildings in this 22,000 m2 compound have been damaged or destroyed by earthquakes and fire. Local authorities have chosen to use some of the World Bank financing to restore the Mu site and develop it as a tourist attraction.
This massive restoration project has created jobs for 3,400 people working in rock quarries, forests, factories and on the site. Stone carvers, wood carvers and decorative painters, whose families have practiced their craft for generations, have come from surrounding areas to work on the compound’s restoration. Many are donating their work, motivated by the fact that they are helping to preserve their Naxi heritage.
Recovery
Today the communities affected by the earthquake appear to have substantially recovered from both the physical destruction and the emotional trauma of the disaster. Schools, hospitals, homes, businesses and factories have been rebuilt and are fully functioning.
Yunnan’s communities and government officials have wisely used the earthquake reconstruction activities, not only to pursue reconstruction and development for the future, but also to maintain their valuable and unique cultural heritage.
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