Sustainable Development of Monastic Tourism in Tibetan Areas

Tibetan monastic tourism is discussed including prior leasehold experience in Tsang lha Township (Zhānglà 障腊), as well as recent efforts at Sku 'bum (Tǎ'er Sì 塔尔寺) and Bla brang (Lābǔléngsì 拉卜楞) monasteries in the context of field work completed 2001 to 2007 in Zung chu rdzong (Sōngpān 松潘) and Gzi tsha sde dgu rdzong (Jíuzhàigōu 九寨沟) in Sìchuān (四川) Province, Bla brang Monastery in Gānsù (甘肃) Province, and Sku 'bum Monastery in Qīnghǎi 青海 Province. Four points are addressed in considering the sustainability of Tibetan monastic tourism: the role of monasteries in tourism; monasteries and cultural interpretation, particularly tour guides' interpretations; protection of monasteries' historical relics; and a framework for sustainable monastic tourism.