The second group of case studies includes the village of Dawan, a Miao settlement in Songtao County, and Qishuping in Jiangkou County. Both villages face challenging mobility conditions, but the maintenance of their overall character has been effective, largely due to the influential role of local elites. In Dawan, interventions have focused on improving basic facilities and public spaces as part of the nationwide rural revitalization program. Spontaneous conservation activities have been undertaken, driven by a shared understanding of the heritage value and the leadership of local elites. These elites have maintained a neutral stance toward the conservation planning approach led by the authorities. In Qishuping, only basic improvements to the built environment were carried out in 2015. Despite the absence of enterprise involvement, heritage preservation in both villages has been highly controlled by local powers, thanks to their social ties and connections. The selection of Qishuping allows for a replicated analysis in relation to the first group of case studies. The objective is to explore how and why heritage-led development varies in a historic village of high heritage value, particularly in light of its changing socio-economic and mobility conditions.