| Abstract The paper, from the topographic approach, provides an account of the social change of Xiaocun village in Yun-
nan since the early twentieth century. The paper describes the facets concerning the landscapes, that is, in particular land
use, linking these factors to the historical contexts. For a century, the villagers, have being dwelled in the local environ-
ment, while changing or creating the village landscape. The farmers and the government have facilitated the developmen-
talism as a common doctrine. In this sense, the farmers on the whole do not adhere to the so-called "tradition.”This kind
of attitudes are enhanced due to the州itical and economic conditions. The farmers need to gain more land, water, food
and living space from the political and economic constraints. In many cases, they appeared to be more radical than that of
the modernity-oriented state. This, perhaps, is a result of what Michael Herzfeld called "the local knowledge‘the `intel-
lectual traditions' and poniria of those cunning planners and scientists who have managed to persuade so many citizens of
so many countries to honor them for their‘vision "'. |
