Different Types Of Eco-museum In The Southwest Region Comparative Study

The ecomuseum is an innovative museum concept which was introduced by French museologists in the1970s. Unlike conventional stationary museums which utilizes buildings or site to preserve and display collection, this innovative concept of museum emphasizes nurturing culture heritage in its original locality. In short, it refers to a new idea of holistic and dynamic interpretation and preservation of cultural heritage that facilitates sustainable development in a community. Chinese museologists began to pay closer attention to this novel western concept of museum during the last two decades of the twentieth century and after ten years, they were finally able to convince (and assist) the Chinese government to establish Liuzhi Suojia Ecomuseum in Guizhou Province, the very first ecomuseum in China. Soon after, other areas in Guizhou, Guangxi, and Yunnan Province followed suit and established ecomuseums in consecutive order. Currently, there are approximately thirty ecomuseums in China altogether. In recent years, the practice of establishing ecomuseums has gradually spread from ethnic regions in Southwest China to the more developed central and eastern areas; the construction of ecomuseums is in a flourishing phase in China at present.This essay defines the scope of its research encompassing the ethnic regions in southwest China where ecomuseums were first introduced, and then formulates a comparative analysis on building experiences of three kinds of ecomuseum. It further explores ideas that can provide solution to the existing problems that challenge the present ecomuseums on both theoretical and practical levels. The essay consists of seven parts as follows:Introduction expounds the reason, research methods, and academic significance as well as current significance of this essay, and sorts out the relevant research results in China.Chapter â…  reviews the background and definition of western concept of ecomuseum, and then narrates the course of development of Chinese ecomuseum.Chapter â…¡ recounts the construction history of Liuzhi Suojia Ecomuseum as a case study of government-run type of ecomuseum, and discusses of outlook of different groups concerned.Chapter â…¢ analyzes the development of Dimen Humanity Ecomuseum as a case study of private corporation-run type of ecomuseum and the problems associated.Chapter â…£ identifies Xianrendon cultural and ecological village as a case study of scholar-directed type of ecomuseum and describes the outlook about ecomuseums from government, scholars, local residents, and tourists.Chapter â…¤ carries out a comparative research analysis on some key issues, such as guiding principles, pilot criteria, nomination methods, management patterns, practice achievements, and existing challenges.Conclusion is a brief retrospective summary and commentary on theory as well as practice of ecomuseum in ethnic regions in Southwest China.The contributions of this research study are detailed below:1. Formally defines the concept of ecomuseum and profoundly rethinks sinicization of western ecomuseum theory in China.2. Advances a method of classification of Chinese ecomuseum construction patterns based on the primary sponsor, dividing the existing ecomuseums into three types-Government-run type of ecomuseum, private corporation-run type of ecomuseum, and scholar-directed type of ecomuseum.3. Undertakes a thorough and well-rounded investigation of ecomuseum construction types, by conducting interviews with concerned stakeholders and analyzing the interview data for their significant implications about important historical aspects and artifacts.4. Conducts a comparative analysis of contentious ecomuseum issues including guiding principles, pilot criteria, nomination methods, management patterns, and these results have important reference value for newly-built ecomuseums.