Many experts have expressed concern that as development brings more tourists and investment, traditional local ethnic culture may disappear or become misrepresented.

Luo Kaiyu, vice-curator of Wuhou Temple in Chengdu, pointed out that the Boulder Tombs require immediate protection.

"Only about 100 Boulder Tombs have been left intact. The local people and the local government must pay more attention to these invaluable treasures," said Luo, who suggested that when development is inevitable, some tombs could be relocated to a specialized museum.

Luo has written articles about the burial customs of southwestern minorities. Although the seminar was his first chance to see the Boulder Tombs, he immediately recognized their value.

"The Boulder Tombs are unique in China and the world," said Luo. "The Yi minority culture and the Boulder Tombs are the most important ways in which Liangshan can develop tourism."

But merely protecting cultural relics is not enough, said Luo. He said that by properly integrating the Boulder Tombs with tourism, a new impetus could be given to regional economic development. This, in turn, would enable researchers to better protect the ancient tombs.

Cross-disciplinary co-operation is needed to effectively protect the cultural heritage at Liangshan, said Liu Hong, whose museum sponsored the seminar.

"Ethnological and archaeological studies of the Tibet-Yi Corridor are an immense project. In-depth studies of this ethnically diverse region will require the efforts of many institutions," he said.

(China Daily July 11, 2006)