Abstract: Such factors asthe dependence on resource endowment and planning team,the excessive administrative intervention,and the intervention of social capital,etc.,have led to the homogenization of small towns with tourism characteristics.With obvious homogenization,the proportion of small towns with tourism characteristics in Yunnan,Guizhou and Sichuan provinces is large;however,the homogenization competition may not cause inefficiency.Xizhou in Dali is eye-catching in architecture and culture;Thousand-Miao Village is famous for its integrated industry and scale;and Luodai Ancient Town wins favor for its profound history and originality.Based on this,three suggestions are put forward that the "appropriate distance" should be scientifically designed to optimize the spatial layout of characteristic towns,a mechanism of "inter-provincial dialogue" should be established to prevent possible homogeneous competition,and the design of "threshold conditions" should be standardized to make the level of characteristic town match the endowment level.

Key words: small towns with tourism characteristics, homogenization, urbanization