Scenic Spots: Chinese Tourism, the State, and Cultural Authority

Twenty years ago, commercial tourism in the People’s Republic of China hardly existed. Today, China has a burgeoning tourist industry, characterized by a unique style with deep roots in traditional Chinese culture. Scenic Spots is an engaging exploration of why Chinese tourists pursue certain kinds of experiences, what they make of them, and how their experiences and interpretations are shaped by the state.

Working from within a Chinese cultural framework, Pál Nyíri argues that China’s brand...