Puer (普洱)

1. Introduction

Pu'er City, formerly known as Simao, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southern part of Yunnan Province. The city borders Honghe Prefecture and Yuxi City to the east, Chuxiong Prefecture and Dali Prefecture to the north, Lincang City to the west, Myanmar to the southwest, and Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Laos, and Vietnam to the south. Situated in the Ailao Mountains of southwestern Yunnan in the southern section of the Hengduan Mountains, the Lancang River flows north to south through the entire territory, with other major rivers including the Amo River and Nanka River. Ethnic minorities account for over 60% of the city's population. It is the largest prefecture-level administrative division in the province by area, covering 44,266 square kilometers. In 2020, the total population was 2.405 million. The municipal government is located in Simao District. Pu'er is renowned for its production of Pu'er tea and is also an important production area for various traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.

2. Etymology

During the Nanzhao period, the Pu'er region was known as Buri Jian under the jurisdiction of the Yinsheng Jiedushi. After the Yuan dynasty conquered the Dali Kingdom, a Dian system was established in Pu'er, and it was called Puri Simo Dian. In the 16th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty (1384), it was renamed Pu'er, and during the Wanli period, it began to be written as "Pu'er." According to research by Wa scholar Niga, the earliest name for Pu'er, "Buri," was the Wa people's (Bunao) term for the Blang people, meaning "my brother," written as "Paaex" in the Wa language.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, tea-producing areas such as Menghai were under the jurisdiction of Pu'er Prefecture. Pu'er became a distribution center for tea in southwestern Yunnan, and the tea produced in this region thus came to be known as "Pu'er tea." As Pu'er tea gained worldwide fame, the city of Pu'er also became renowned across the globe.

3. History

From the Qin Dynasty to the early Western Han Dynasty, the area belonged to the territory of the Ailao Kingdom. In the second year of the Yuanfeng era of the Western Han Dynasty (110 BCE), the Yizhou Commandery was established, and the present-day area was part of it. In the twelfth year of the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (69 CE), the King of Ailao submitted to the Han Dynasty. The western part of Yizhou Commandery was separated to form the Lancang Commandery, later renamed Yongchang Commandery, with its seat at Buwei County (in present-day Baoshan City). In the third year of the Jianxing era of the Shu Han state during the Three Kingdoms period (225 CE), the Yunnan Commandery was established, governing the area east of the Lancang River, while the area west of the river belonged to Yongchang Commandery. In the sixth year of the Taishi era of the Western Jin Dynasty (270 CE), four commanderies—Jianning, Xinggu, Yunnan, and Yongchang—were separated from Yizhou to establish Ningzhou. During the Eastern Jin to Northern and Southern Dynasties periods, the central plains dynasties gradually lost control over the region.

In the twenty-sixth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (738 CE), the Mengshe Zhao unified the other five zhaos and established the Nanzhao Kingdom. In the eleventh year of the Zanpu Zhong era of Nanzhao (762 CE), the Yongchang Jiedushi (military governor district) was established west of the Lancang River, with its seat at Yongchang City (present-day Longyang District, Baoshan City). In the fourteenth year of the Zanpu Zhong era (765 CE), the Yinsheng Jiedushi was established east of the Lancang River, with its seat at Yinsheng City (present-day Jingdong County). During the early Dali Kingdom period, the Yongchang and Yinsheng Jiedushi were still maintained. In the first year of the Tianshou era of the Dali Kingdom (1096 CE), the Yongchang Jiedushi was changed to Yongchang Prefecture, and the Weichu Prefecture was established east of the Lancang River, with its seat at Weichu City (present-day Chuxiong City). The present-day city area belonged to the Sima Tribe of Weichu Prefecture. "Sima" was the name of the tribe, with "Sime" and "Simao" being its transliterations.

After the Mongols conquered the Dali Kingdom, in the seventh year of the reign of Yuan Emperor Xianzong (1257 CE), Weichu Prefecture was changed to a Wanhu (myriarch) district. In the eighth year of the Zhiyuan era (1271 CE), the Weichu Route was established. In the eleventh year of the Zhiyuan era (1274 CE), the Yunnan and Other Areas Branch Secretariat was established, with the Weichu Route under its jurisdiction. In the twelfth year of the Zhiyuan era (1275 CE), the Weiyuan Dian was reorganized into Weiyuan Zhou (with its seat in present-day Jinggu County), belonging to the Weichu Route. In the twenty-fifth year of the Zhiyuan era (1288 CE), the Yuan Dynasty pacified the Sima and other tribes in the southern part of Weichu Prefecture and established the Yuanjiang Route (with its seat in present-day Yuanjiang County). In the twenty-sixth year of the Zhiyuan era (1289 CE), the southeastern part of Mengding Route was separated to establish the Mulian Route (with its seat in present-day Menglian County). By the end of the Zhiyuan era, the Cheli Junmin Fu (military-civilian prefecture) was established (with its seat in present-day Jinghong City). In the second year of the Taiding era (1325 CE), the Cheli Junmin Fu was changed to the Cheli Route. In the second year of the Tianli era (1329 CE), the Yinsha Luodian and Other Areas Pacification Commissioner and Military Governor Office (in present-day Lancang County) was established from the Mulian Route and Yinsha Luodian (southern part of Yongchang Prefecture). In the second year of the Zhishun era (1331 CE), Yinsha Luodian was changed to a Junmin Fu; and Jingdong Prefecture was established (with its seat in present-day Jingdong County), belonging to the Weichu Route.

In the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1382 CE), Yuanjiang Route was elevated to Yuanjiang Prefecture, and Cheli Route was elevated to Cheli Prefecture; Jingdong Prefecture was downgraded to Jingdong Zhou; Mulian Route was abolished and merged into Mengding Prefecture. In the seventeenth year of the Hongwu era (1384 CE), Jingdong Zhou was again elevated to Jingdong Prefecture; Weiyuan Zhou was elevated to Weiyuan Prefecture (later abolished); Cheli Prefecture was changed to the Cheli Pacification Commission. In the thirty-fifth year of the Hongwu era (1402 CE), Weiyuan Zhou was re-established; and Zhenyuan Zhou was established (with its seat in present-day Zhenyuan County). In the fourth year of the Yongle era (1406 CE), Zhenyuan Zhou was elevated to Zhenyuan Prefecture; and the Menglian Chief Office was established (with its seat in present-day Menglian County).

In the forty-eighth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1709 CE), the Menglian Chief Office was changed to the Menglian Pacification Commission, belonging to Yongchang Prefecture. In the third year of the Yongzheng era (1725 CE), Weiyuan Zhou was changed to Weiyuan Directly Subordinated Subprefecture. In the seventh year of the Yongzheng era (1729 CE), the six Banna territories within the Jiulong River under the jurisdiction of the Cheli Pacification Commission were separated to establish Pu'er Prefecture, named after its seat, Pu'er County. In the tenth year of the Yongzheng era (1732 CE), Talang Subprefecture was established (with its seat in present-day Mojiang County), belonging to Yuanjiang Prefecture. In the thirteenth year of the Yongzheng era (1735 CE), Simao Subprefecture was established (with its seat in present-day Simao District), belonging to Pu'er Prefecture. In the first year of the Qianlong era (1736 CE), Pu'er Prefecture gained jurisdiction over the six Banna territories outside the Jiulong River, each governed by local chieftains. In the twenty-fifth year of the Qianlong era (1760 CE), Zhenyuan Prefecture was reverted to Zhenyuan Zhou. In the twenty-ninth year of the Qianlong era (1764 CE), the Menglian Pacification Commission was transferred to Shunning Prefecture. In the thirty-first year of the Qianlong era (1766 CE), the Yinan Circuit was established, with its seat at Pu'er Prefecture. In the thirty-fifth year of the Qianlong era (1770 CE), Jingdong Prefecture was changed to Jingdong Directly Subordinated Subprefecture; Weiyuan Directly Subordinated Subprefecture was downgraded to a regular subprefecture, belonging to Pu'er Prefecture; Talang Subprefecture was transferred to Pu'er Prefecture. In the twentieth year of the Daoguang era (1840 CE), Zhenyuan Zhou was changed to Zhenyuan Subprefecture. In the thirteenth year of the Guangxu era (1887 CE), Zhenbian Subprefecture was established (with its seat in present-day Lancang County). In the twentieth year of the Guangxu era (1894 CE), the Menglian Pacification Commission was placed under Zhenbian Subprefecture.

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), prefectures, departments, and subprefectures were abolished and changed to counties: Ning'er County, Simao County, Jingdong County, Weiyuan County, Zhenyuan County, Talang County, and Zhenbian County. These counties belonged to the Diannan Circuit, with its seat at Simao County. The following year, the Diannan Circuit was renamed the Pu'er Circuit; Weiyuan County was renamed Jinggu County; Zhenbian County was renamed Lancang County. In 1916, Talang County was renamed Mojiang County. In 1926, the seat of the Pu'er Circuit was moved to Pu'er County. In 1929, the Pu'er Circuit was abolished; in the same year, Jiangcheng County was established from part of Xiangming County. In the thirty-first year of the Republic of China (1942 CE), the counties belonged to the 4th and 5th Administrative Inspectorate Districts of Yunnan Province.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in April 1950, the Ning'er Special District was established, with the Commissioner's Office located in Ning'er County. In 1951, the Ning'er Special District was renamed the Pu'er Special District, and Ning'er County was renamed Pu'er County. In 1952, Cangyuan County was transferred to the Mianning Special District. In March 1953, the Commissioner's Office moved to Simao County, and the district was renamed the Simao Special District. In the same year, Lancang County was reorganized into the Lancang Lahu Autonomous Region; Lushun County was abolished and merged into Simao County; Ningjiang County was abolished. In May 1954, Jiangcheng County was reorganized into the Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous Region (changed to an autonomous county the following year); Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Va Autonomous Region was established from part of Lancang County. In September, Cheli, Zhenyue, Fohai, and Nanqiao counties were transferred to the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Region. In October 1956, Ximeng County was established from the Ximeng mountainous area of Lancang County. In October 1957, the Simao Special District was abolished and merged into the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (not actually implemented; the administrative structure was retained). In November 1958, Simao County was abolished and merged into Pu'er County; Zhenyuan County was abolished. In December 1959, Menglian and Lancang were renamed autonomous counties. In March 1962, Zhenyuan County was restored. In September 1963, Menglian County was renamed Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Va Autonomous County; Ximeng Va Autonomous County was established (formally established in March 1965). In 1964, the Simao Special District was restored.

In 1970, the Simao Special District was renamed Simao Prefecture. In 1979, Mojiang County was reorganized into Mojiang Hani Autonomous County. In 1981, Simao County was re-established. In 1985, Pu'er County was reorganized into Pu'er Hani and Yi Autonomous County; Jingdong County was reorganized into Jingdong Yi Autonomous County; Jinggu County was reorganized into Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County. In 1990, Zhenyuan County was reorganized into Zhenyuan Yi, Hani, and Lahu Autonomous County. In March 1993, Simao County was abolished and reorganized into Simao City. On October 30, 2003, the State Council approved the abolition of Simao Prefecture and its reorganization into the prefecture-level Simao City; the county-level Simao City was abolished and reorganized into Cuiyun District. On January 21, 2007, the State Council approved the renaming of Simao City to Pu'er City, Cuiyun District to Simao District, and Pu'er Hani and Yi Autonomous County to Ning'er Hani and Yi Autonomous County; the official renaming took place on April 8 of the same year.

4. Geography

Pu'er City is located in the southern part of Yunnan Province, situated in the southern section of the Hengduan Mountains within the Ailao Mountains region of southwestern Yunnan. The Lancang River flows from north to south through the entire territory. Other major rivers within the city include the Amo River and the Nanka River. Pu'er borders Honghe Prefecture and Yuxi City to the east, Chuxiong Prefecture and Dali Prefecture to the north, and Lincang City to the west. To the southwest, it shares a 303-kilometer border with Myanmar. To the south, it borders Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and shares borders with Laos and Vietnam, specifically 116 kilometers with Laos and 67 kilometers with Vietnam.

Climate

Meteorological Data for Simao District, Pu'er City (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|--------------| | Record high °C (°F) | 27.6 (81.7)| 29.8 (85.6)| 32.0 (89.6)| 33.4 (92.1)| 34.7 (94.5)| 33.5 (92.3)| 31.8 (89.2) | 32.3 (90.1) | 31.0 (87.8)| 29.6 (85.3)| 27.3 (81.1)| 25.5 (77.9)| 34.7 (94.5) | | Average high °C (°F) | 21.1 (70.0)| 23.4 (74.1)| 26.4 (79.5)| 28.5 (83.3)| 28.0 (82.4)| 27.5 (81.5)| 26.5 (79.7) | 27.0 (80.6) | 26.3 (79.3)| 24.8 (76.6)| 22.4 (72.3)| 20.4 (68.7)| 25.2 (77.3) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 13.4 (56.1)| 15.1 (59.2)| 18.1 (64.6)| 20.8 (69.4)| 21.9 (71.4)| 22.7 (72.9)| 22.1 (71.8) | 22.2 (72.0) | 21.3 (70.3)| 19.7 (67.5)| 16.4 (61.5)| 13.5 (56.3)| 18.9 (66.1) | | Average low °C (°F) | 8.1 (46.6) | 8.9 (48.0) | 11.5 (52.7)| 14.8 (58.6)| 17.7 (63.9)| 19.8 (67.6)| 19.8 (67.6) | 19.6 (67.3) | 18.5 (65.3)| 16.7 (62.1)| 12.6 (54.7)| 9.3 (48.7) | 14.8 (58.6) | | Record low °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) | 3.4 (38.1) | 0.8 (33.4) | 8.3 (46.9) | 11.4 (52.5)| 14.5 (58.1)| 16.4 (61.5) | 15.1 (59.2) | 12.1 (53.8)| 8.1 (46.6) | 4.7 (40.5) | −0.3 (31.5)| −0.3 (31.5) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 13.9 (0.55)| 18.1 (0.71)| 24.0 (0.94)| 52.3 (2.06)| 154.3 (6.07)| 211.3 (8.32)| 330.8 (13.02)| 290.2 (11.43)| 179.5 (7.07)| 120.9 (4.76)| 70.4 (2.77)| 21.7 (0.85)| 1,487.4 (58.56)| | Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 10.3 | 17.6 | 22.6 | 25.9 | 24.4 | 19.8 | 15.6 | 9.2 | 5.3 | 163.6 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 68 | 62 | 65 | 74 | 82 | 86 | 85 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 80 | 77 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 226.4 | 221.6 | 237.0 | 220.3 | 188.2 | 120.2 | 98.2 | 112.9 | 127.4 | 149.8 | 149.4 | 187.0 | 2,038.4 | | Percent possible sunshine | 67 | 69 | 64 | 58 | 46 | 30 | 24 | 28 | 35 | 42 | 45 | 56 | 46 |

Source 1: China Meteorological Administration Meteorological Data Center

Source 2: China Meteorological Science Data Sharing Service Network (Precipitation days and sunshine data for the period 1971–2000)

5. Administrative Divisions

Pu'er City administers 1 municipal district and 9 autonomous counties.

Municipal District: Simao District Autonomous Counties: Ning'er Hani and Yi Autonomous County, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County, Zhenyuan Yi, Hani and Lahu Autonomous County, Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County, Menglian Dai, Lahu and Va Autonomous County, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Ximeng Va Autonomous County

Administrative Divisions Map of Pu'er City | Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 530800 | Pu'er City | Pǔ'ěr Shì | 44,266 | 2,404,954 | Simao District | 665000 | 1 | 65 | 37 | 10 | | 530802 | Simao District | Sīmáo Qū | 3,876 | 416,188 | Simao Subdistrict | 665099 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | | 530821 | Ning'er Hani and Yi Autonomous County | Níng'ěr Hānízú Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 3,666 | 162,711 | Ning'er Town | 665100 | | 6 | 3 | | | 530822 | Mojiang Hani Autonomous County | Mòjiāng Hānízú Zìzhìxiàn | 5,289 | 281,554 | Lianzhu Town | 654800 | | 12 | 3 | 1 | | 530823 | Jingdong Yi Autonomous County | Jǐngdōng Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 4,455 | 303,109 | Jinping Town | 676200 | | 10 | 3 | | | 530824 | Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County | Jǐnggǔ Dǎizú Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 7,519 | 277,417 | Weiyuan Town | 666400 | | 6 | 4 | | | 530825 | Zhenyuan Yi, Hani and Lahu Autonomous County | Zhènyuán Yízú Hānízú Lāhùzú Zìzhìxiàn | 4,148 | 179,503 | Enle Town | 666500 | | 8 | 1 | | | 530826 | Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County | Jiāngchéng Hānízú Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 3,429 | 111,033 | Menglie Town | 665900 | | 5 | 2 | | | 530827 | Menglian Dai, Lahu and Va Autonomous County | Mènglián Dǎizú Lāhùzú Wǎzú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,893 | 144,693 | Nayun Town | 665800 | | 4 | 2 | | | 530828 | Lancang Lahu Autonomous County | Láncāng Lāhùzú Zìzhìxiàn | 8,733 | 441,455 | Menglang Town | 665600 | | 5 | 15 | 6 | | 530829 | Ximeng Va Autonomous County | Xīméng Wǎzú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,259 | 87,291 | Mengsuo Town | 665700 | | 5 | 2 | 1 |

6. Economy

Puer City is located in the southern part of Yunnan Province, China, with a total area of approximately 44,300 square kilometers and a permanent population of about 2.37 million. The economy of Puer City is based on agriculture and has been gradually transitioning towards modern services and industry in recent years. In 2023, Puer City achieved a regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 109.091 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.6%. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 27.275 billion yuan, the secondary industry was 25.026 billion yuan, and the tertiary industry was 56.79 billion yuan.

The economic structure of Puer City is being optimized, with the proportion of the tertiary industry increasing year by year. However, the overall economic scale remains relatively small, and issues such as a singular industrial structure and low industrial added value persist. Puer City is renowned for its tea industry, is one of the largest coffee raw material production bases in the country, and actively develops under-forest economy. Additionally, Puer City is committed to promoting the development of green economy and eco-tourism.

7. Transportation

• National Highway 213 and National Highway 323 pass through the area.
• Pu'er Simao Airport
• The Pu'er Station on the Yuxi–Mohan Railway opened on December 3, 2021.
• There is the international port, Simao Port.

8. Education

8.1 Overview

Located in the southwest of Yunnan Province, Pu'er City is a multi-ethnic region primarily inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Hani, Yi, and Dai. Pu'er has a well-developed education system that covers all stages from preschool to higher education, providing strong talent support for the city's economic and social development.

8.2 Preschool Education

Preschool education in Pu'er City has developed rapidly in recent years, with main forms including:

• Kindergartens: Pu'er has numerous public and private kindergartens that provide high-quality preschool education services for children of appropriate age.

8.3 Basic Education

Pu'er City has a well-established basic education system, which mainly includes:

• Primary Schools: The enrollment rate in primary education in Pu'er is high, and teaching quality continues to improve.
• Junior High Schools: Junior high school education in Pu'er emphasizes the all-round development of students, with teaching quality steadily improving.
• Senior High Schools: Senior high school education in Pu'er is oriented toward further education, and its teaching quality ranks among the best in the province.

8.4 Vocational Education

Vocational education in Pu'er City aims to cultivate practical talents, with main forms including:

• Secondary Vocational Schools: Pu'er has several secondary vocational schools offering a variety of practical majors, such as tourism services, hotel management, and mechanical processing.
• Higher Vocational Colleges: Higher vocational colleges in Pu'er aim to cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talents, offering various applied majors.

8.5 Higher Education

Higher education in Pu'er City has developed rapidly in recent years, with main forms including:

• Undergraduate Institutions: Pu'er has several undergraduate institutions, such as Pu'er University, providing a large number of high-quality talents for the city's economic and social development.
• Specialized Colleges: Specialized colleges in Pu'er aim to cultivate applied talents, offering various practical majors.

8.6 Education Policies

The Pu'er municipal government places high importance on education and actively promotes educational reform and development. By increasing investment in education, improving educational facilities, and enhancing teacher benefits, the Pu'er municipal government continuously improves education quality and promotes educational equity.

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 2.370 million. The birth rate was 7.16‰, the death rate was 7.20‰, and the natural growth rate was -0.04‰. At the end of the year, the urban population was 995,200, the rural population was 1.3748 million, and the urbanization rate of the city was 41.99%.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,404,954. Compared with the 2,542,898 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total decrease over the past ten years was 137,944 people, a decline of 5.42%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.56%. Among them, the male population was 1,264,767, accounting for 52.59% of the total population; the female population was 1,140,187, accounting for 47.41% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 110.93. The population aged 0-14 was 451,543, accounting for 18.78% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,574,002, accounting for 65.45% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 379,409, accounting for 15.78% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 260,489, accounting for 10.83% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 974,845, accounting for 40.53% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,430,109, accounting for 59.47% of the total population.

Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 933,369, accounting for 38.81%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 1,471,585, accounting for 61.19%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 58,216, a decline of 5.87%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.18 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities decreased by 79,728, a decline of 5.14%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.18 percentage points. Among them, the Hani ethnic group population decreased by 47,162, a decline of 10.37%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.94 percentage points; the Yi ethnic group population decreased by 18,365, a decline of 4.36%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.19 percentage points; the Lahu ethnic group population decreased by 18,608, a decline of 6.12%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.09 percentage points; the Dai ethnic group population increased by 2,565, an increase of 1.78%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.43 percentage points; the Wa ethnic group population decreased by 5,648, a decline of 3.76%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.1 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Pu'er City (Seventh National Population Census, 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Hani | Yi | Lahu | Dai | Wa | Blang | Miao | Bai | Hui | Other Ethnic Groups | |--------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------| | Population | 933,369 | 407,504 | 402,687 | 285,329 | 146,682 | 144,516 | 15,668 | 14,845 | 14,337 | 12,909 | 27,108 | | Proportion of Total Population (%) | 38.81 | 16.94 | 16.74 | 11.86 | 6.1 | 6.01 | 0.65 | 0.62 | 0.6 | 0.54 | 1.13 | | Proportion of Ethnic Minority Population (%) | － | 27.69 | 27.36 | 19.39 | 9.97 | 9.82 | 1.06 | 1.01 | 0.97 | 0.88 | 1.84 |

10. Religion

Located in the southwest of Yunnan Province, Pu'er City is a region inhabited by multiple ethnic groups, with a total of 26 ethnicities, including the Han, Dai, Yi, Hani, Lahu, and Wa as the main ones. The religious culture in Pu'er City is exceptionally rich and diverse, primarily consisting of three major religions: Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Additionally, Pu'er City also has primitive religious beliefs, such as primitive polytheism and ancestor worship, which are reflected among different ethnic groups.

Buddhism in Pu'er City has a long history, with many temples, such as the Guanyin Mountain Temple in Ning'er County and the Pu'er Grand Temple, serving as important Buddhist sacred sites. Besides Buddhism, Islam and Christianity are also widely practiced in Pu'er City. Among some ethnic minorities, unique religious rituals and beliefs are preserved, such as the primitive religious beliefs of the Dai people and the primitive religious sacrificial activities of the Hani people.

The religious culture of Pu'er City is not only reflected in religious sites and rituals but is also deeply integrated into the local social life and cultural traditions, forming a diverse and harmonious religious landscape.

11. Culture

National-Level Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage Items

Mupa Mipa

National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

Mengliang Xuanfu Si Office
Monument of the Oath of National Unity
Jinggu Dai Buddhist Temple Complex
Jingdong Confucian Temple
Nuofu Church
Jingmai Ancient Tea Plantation

12. Sister Cities

Laos, Phongsaly Province Thailand, Phitsanulok France, Libourne China, Hangzhou

nix

nix

nix

nix

Simao District

Simao District

nix

Pu'er tea tree

Dendrobium flower