Bailu has been developed into a so-called "French town" due to its
French Catholic heritage, according to Xianghui Liao, however, the real reason for this designation is to serve tourism and economic development: "This led to the commercialization of once authentic religious sites for tourism and economic development as part of the secularization process. [...] Catholicism's public influence on tourism and economic development has been increasing, while its activities and church attendance have not followed synchronously." == Tourist attractions ==