Summary of Key Points
The artificially created “internet-famous prayer flags” in Lijiang, intended to attract tourists, were removed due to their lack of compliance with local cultural traditions, sparking a debate between “freedom of photography” and “cultural respect.” This incident exposes a common issue in the culture and tourism industry: the misuse of cultural symbols in pursuit of visual appeal (such as mixing ethnic costumes and misusing religious artifacts). Additionally, the aesthetic preferences of social media have further reduced culture to fragmented elements suitable for photos, ultimately leading to the loss of cultural meaning and the offense of traditional values.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Removal of the Prayer Flags Was Justified: Wrong Placement and Improper Use
The main ethnic group in Lijiang is the Naxi people, who practice Dongba religion; prayer flags are religious items of Tibetan Buddhism, typically hung in Tibetan-inhabited areas (such as Diqing, not Lijiang). More importantly, these internet-famous prayer flags contained no actual sacred texts and were merely colorful strips of fabric—purely artificial props created for good looks in photos. Traditionally, prayer flags with inscribed scriptures are sacred objects to be hung on sacred mountains or temples and should not be stepped on, touched, or used as backgrounds for photos. The merchants’ decision to hang them inappropriately and allow tourists to use them as props was a violation of cultural norms, making the official removal justified.
2. The “Mix-and-Match” Trend in the Culture and Tourism Industry
This trend of misappropriation is not limited to prayer flags. In the travel photography industry, it’s common to see Tibetan clothing paired with Yi silver jewelry, Miao headdresses combined with modified Hanfu, or even funeral items used as costumes, and sacred objects used for photos. These practices focus solely on appearance, ignoring cultural significance. For example, ethnic costumes often represent family traditions, and jewelry may signify marital status; colors in rituals have specific meanings. After being altered, the aesthetic appeal may remain, but the cultural context is lost, leaving tourists wearing what are essentially “costumes without cultural substance.”
3. Why Does This Mix-and-Match Trend Become Popular?
The core reason for its popularity is “visual appeal.” The striking colors and intricate designs of ethnic clothing and jewelry make them ideal for photos. Travel photography aims for instantly eye-catching visuals, so elaborate and stage-like attire becomes the norm, while everyday traditional clothing is often overlooked. Social media also favors content that fits perfectly into its grids and quickly garner likes, filtering out deeper cultural aspects and even outdated traditions. Over time, people focus only on symbols rather than the culture behind them.
4. The Root of the Debate: Is Travel About “Spending Money for Fun” or “Visiting Friends?”
The fundamental disagreement online revolves around the definition of travel:
- Some see travel as a consumption activity where they spend money for enjoyment, with no need to be constrained by old rules.
- Others believe travel is about cultural exchange, and respecting local traditions is essential when visiting another place.
Travel should be an opportunity to explore culture—to discern what is worth learning from, what can be discarded, and what traditions should be respected. The focus should not solely be on taking good photos.
5. Who Does the “Atmosphere-Driven” Trend Harm?
The current trend of creating a “cultural atmosphere” is based on superficial aesthetics, using striking symbols to construct an impression of culture (e.g., blue sky + prayer flags = Tibetan style, wooden houses + silver jewelry = Miao style). This approach reduces culture to fragmented elements suitable for photos. In reality, culture includes both tedious but important traditions and outdated practices. However, these aspects are often neglected by social media, leaving people with only a superficial understanding of the culture.
Conclusion
True “freedom of photography” does not mean taking pictures without understanding or respecting the cultural context. It requires knowing what you’re capturing, appreciating its background, and respecting its traditions before documenting its beauty. Otherwise, even the most stunning photos can be offensive to the culture.