Chinese Taoist Shadow Play and Cultural Tourism

The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage went into force in 2006. Some valuable models are used in this convention; however, the implementation of the convention creates some difficulties. This essay, therefore, aims at pointing at some such of problematic issues present in the preservation and promotion of intangible heritage. The Chinese Taoist shadow play is chosen as a case study and the difficulty in protecting this performing art is discussed. The essay analyzes the characteristics, problems and current status of Taoist shadow play. The relation between cultural tourism and safeguarding intangible heritage will also be discussed.