Shaxi Rehabilitation Project Phase III – Restoration, Economic Development, and Management Support
The Shaxi Valley is located in the south-eastern part of Jianchuan County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China. The historical marketplace in Sideng, the capital of the Shaxi Valley, is probably the last existing stopover of the Tea and Horse Caravan Trail, which connected Tibet, Yunnan and Southeast Asia in the past. In 2001, the Shaxi Marketplace was entered into the List of the World‘s 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monument Fund (WMF). In the first two years after being listed by the WMF, the Shaxi Rehabilitation Project was set up as a preservation project with the help of the local government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The third step of the Shaxi Rehabilitation Project, which started in 2007, was strongly supported by LEP Consultants AG in the following fields:
- Restoration work in the Xingjiao temple
- Strategies for regional economic development
- Management support
Restoration work in the Xingjiao temple:
Between 2007 and 2010, the main hall of the Xingjiao temple was restored. The valuable wall paintings were analyzed in detail and two of them carefully restored by Romanian experts. The experience gained also served for the education of Chinese experts in the restoration of cultural heritage. LEP Consultants AG organized and coordinated the preparation and execution of the restoration work.
Strategies for regional economic development:
The development of the regional economy in the Shaxi Valley needs to increase prosperity by bringing increased revenue to entrepreneurs and job opportunities for the local population. The Regional Economic Development Strategy for the Shaxi Valley, elaborated by LEP Consultants AG, tries to show how these general goals can be achieved. The report starts with an analysis of the current situation synthesized into a SWOT chart, which is followed by scenario (i.e. development alternatives) formulation and their evaluation and comparison. These basic steps are required for selection of most optimal path for future development. The resulting strategy is complemented with measures for the support and development of established industries as well as the implementation of new industries such as tourism and food processing.
Management support:
LEP Consultants AG supported the Government of Jianchuan County and Shaxi by constitution of a management committee which will be responsible for the protection, maintenance and future development of the historical part of Sib Denx, especially the Xingjiao temple.
