Tourism development and relocation: a decade of change in the livelihoods and attitudes of Yungang Village residents

Land expropriation is a common tourism development strategy, particularly for preserving World Heritage Sites (WHSs). Relocation can be a momentous event with long-lasting impacts on many aspects of residents' lives. Using a revised sustainable livelihood framework incorporating residents' psychological wellbeing, this research investigated changes in the sustainable livelihoods (SLs) of residents of Yungang Village a decade after their relocation from the WHS Yungang Grottoes, their attitudes towards tourism development after relocation, and factors that influence their attitudes. Based on extended ethnography and long-term participant observation, it was found that relocation resulted in changes in residents' financial, natural, human, physical, socio-cultural, and psychological capital. Their attitudes varied depending on their perception of the costs and benefits of relocation for themselves and their destination. These findings have implications for relocation impact management and sustainable development, as relocation impacted multiple livelihood capitals, with attitudes shaped by financial security, employment access, and heritage connection.