This paper analyzes the current commercial status quo in the tourist historic towns of Zhouzhuang and Lijiang in China by using first-hand data. It examines the present use of historical buildings in the two towns in order to investigate the relationship between tourism and the use of buildings. In 2002, 682 building units in Lijiang, accounting for nearly 70% of all units in the main streets, were used for commercial purposes catering tourists; while 10.42% of the buildings catered local residents. These ...