Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (凉山彝族自治州)

1. Introduction

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (Northern Yi dialect: ꆃꎭꆈꌠꊨꏦꏱꅉꍏ, Latin transliteration: Niep Sha Nuo Su Zyt Jie Jux Dde Zho, IPA: /nɛ˨˩ʂa˧ nɔ˧su˧ ʦɿ˥ʨɛ˧ ʨu˦dɪ̈˧ ʈʂʊ˧/), abbreviated as Liangshan Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southwestern part of Sichuan. The prefecture borders Ganzi Prefecture, Ya'an City, and Leshan City to the north; Yibin City and Zhaotong City of Yunnan Province to the east; Panzhihua City to the southwest; and Lijiang City and Diqing Prefecture of Yunnan Province to the west. Situated in the transitional zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, along the northeastern edge of the Hengduan Mountains in the southwestern Sichuan mountainous region, the terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The Yalong River enters from the north, with the area to its west being a plateau region and to its east a mountainous region, featuring alternating ridges, valleys, and basins. The west is dominated by the Daxue Mountain Range and Jinping Mountain; the central area by the Xiaoxiangling, Luoji Mountain, and Lunan Mountain ranges; and the east by the Greater and Lesser Liangshan mountainous areas. The Jinsha River flows along the southern and eastern borders, forming the boundary with Yunnan Province. In the northwest, the Wuliang River, a tributary of the Jinsha River, is present. The Anning River runs through the central Xichang Basin from north to south, eventually flowing into the Yalong River. The three major freshwater lakes are Lugu Lake in the west, Qionghai Lake in the center, and Mahu Lake in the east. The total area of the prefecture is 60,261 square kilometers, with a population of 4.68 million, of which the Yi ethnic group accounts for approximately 49%. The prefectural capital is Xichang City, often poetically called the "Moon City." It is home to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, making it a local aerospace city.

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2. History

During the Han Dynasty, it was part of Yuexi Commandery under the jurisdiction of the Yi Province Governor. Its name underwent changes during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it belonged to Xi Prefecture. By the late Tang Dynasty, it was part of Jianchang Prefecture under the Nanzhao Kingdom. After a brief period under the Song Dynasty, it came under the control of the Dali Kingdom's Jianchang Prefecture. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of the Luoluosi Pacification Commission and was transferred from Sichuan Province to Yunnan Province in the mid-Yuan period. In the early Ming Dynasty, a rebellion led by the Mongol surrendered general Yuelu Temur was suppressed by Lan Yu. In the Qing Dynasty, it was part of Ningyuan Prefecture. During the early Republic of China, it belonged to the Chuanbian Special Administrative Region and later to Xikang Province.

In 1950, during the Chinese Civil War, the People's Liberation Army occupied Xikang Province. In 1952, the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Region was established within the territory of Xikang Province, comprising 11 counties. In 1955, Xikang Province was abolished, and the Liangshan Autonomous Region was transferred to Sichuan Province, where it was renamed an autonomous prefecture. In January 1956, Leibo County, originally part of the Leshan Special District, was incorporated. Democratic reforms were carried out in 1956, announcing the abolition of the serfdom system.

3. Geography

Liangshan Prefecture features a complex and diverse topography, with higher elevations in the northwest and lower elevations in the southeast. The highest point is Mount Qarlongdoje in Muli County, at an altitude of 5,958 meters, while the lowest point is the Jinsha River valley at Dayandong in Leibo County, at 305 meters. The annual accumulated temperature ranges from a maximum of 6,979°C to a minimum of 4,086°C, with an average annual temperature between 14°C and 17°C, showcasing distinct vertical climate characteristics. The region falls within the subtropical monsoon climate zone, marked by clear dry and wet seasons. The winter half of the year enjoys ample sunshine, with little rainfall and dry, warm conditions, while the summer half sees more cloud cover and precipitation, resulting in a cool climate. The average annual rainfall is between 1,000 and 1,100 millimeters. Sunshine is abundant, with an average annual sunshine duration of 2,000 to 2,400 hours, and a frost-free period lasting 230 to 306 days.

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has 4.72 million mu of cultivated land and is crisscrossed by numerous rivers. It boasts abundant hydropower resources, with a developable capacity of 60 million kilowatts, making it an important future hydropower base for Sichuan.

The Anning River Valley Plain is the second-largest plain in Sichuan and a key area for comprehensive agricultural development in southwestern Sichuan.

4. Administrative Divisions

Liangshan Prefecture administers 2 county-level cities, 14 counties, and 1 autonomous county.

• County-level cities: Xichang City, Huili City
• Counties: Yanyuan County, Dechang County, Huidong County, Ningnan County, Puge County, Butuo County, Jinyang County, Zhaojue County, Xide County, Mianning County, Yuexi County, Ganluo County, Meigu County, Leibo County
• Autonomous county: Muli Tibetan Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name Liangshan Standard Yi Script | Chinese Pinyin Latin Transliteration | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | |----------|------------------|------------------------|----------------|-----------------------|------------|----------|------------|-----|-----|--------------| | 513400 | Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture ꆃꎭꆈꌠꊨꏦꏱꅉꍏ | Liángshān Yízú Zìzhìzhōu niep sha nuo su zyt jie jux dde zho | 60,260.85 | 4,858,359 | Xichang City | 615000 | 16 | 183 | 106 | 13 | | 513401 | Xichang City ꀒꎂꏃ | Xīchāng Shì op rro shyp | 2,653.80 | 955,041 | Beicheng Subdistrict | 615000 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 2 | | 513402 | Huili City ꑌꄷꏃ | Huìlǐ Shì nyi ddix shyp | 4,517.77 | 390,531 | Chengbei Subdistrict | 615100 | 3 | 13 | 4 | 1 | | 513422 | Muli Tibetan Autonomous County ꃆꆹꀒꋤꊨꏦꏱꅉꑤ | Mùlǐ Zàngzú Zìzhìxiàn mup li op zzup zyt jie jux dde xiep | 13,221.61 | 122,944 | Qiaowa Town | 615800 | | 6 | 21 | 5 | | | 513423 | Yanyuan County ꑸꑼꑤ | Yányuán Xiàn yiep yuop xiep | 8,406.58 | 340,898 | Yanjing Subdistrict | 615700 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 1 | | 513424 | Dechang County ꄓꍣꑤ | Déchāng Xiàn dep cha xiep | 2,301.58 | 216,533 | Dezhou Subdistrict | 615500 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | | 513426 | Huidong County ꉼꄏꑤ | Huìdōng Xiàn hop do xiep | 3,224.04 | 346,082 | Yucheng Subdistrict | 615200 | 2 | 13 | 4 | | | 513427 | Ningnan County ꆀꆆꑤ | Níngnán Xiàn nip nap xiep | 1,670.35 | 184,293 | Ningyuan Town | 615400 | | 13 | | | | 513428 | Puge County ꁌꐘꑤ | Pǔgé Xiàn pu jjit xiep | 1,905.02 | 180,052 | Puji Town | 615300 | | 8 | 5 | | | 513429 | Butuo County ꀭꄮꑤ | Bùtuō Xiàn bux te xiep | 1,684.81 | 185,553 | Temuli Town | 616300 | | 8 | 4 | | | 513430 | Jinyang County ꏠꑸꑤ | Jīnyáng Xiàn jit yiep xiep | 1,586.43 | 170,063 | Tiandiba Town | 616200 | | 9 | 6 | | | 513431 | Zhaojue County ꏪꐦꑤ | Zhāojué Xiàn juo jjop xiep | 2,700.96 | 252,435 | Xincheng Town | 616100 | | 11 | 9 | | | | 513432 | Xide County ꑝꅇꑤ | Xǐdé Xiàn xit ddop xiep | 2,204.23 | 158,139 | Guangming Town | 616700 | | 7 | 6 | | | 513433 | Mianning County ꍿꆈꑤ | Miǎnníng Xiàn rruo nuo xiep | 4,422.10 | 369,166 | Gaoyang Subdistrict | 615600 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 1 | | 513434 | Yuexi County ꃺꄧꑤ | Yuèxī Xiàn vyt tuo xiep | 2,257.01 | 301,865 | Yuecheng Town | 616600 | | 17 | 3 | 1 | | 513435 | Ganluo County ꇤꇉꑤ | Gānluò Xiàn ga lo xiep | 2,151.85 | 205,991 | Xinshiba Town | 616800 | | 9 | 4 | | | 513436 | Meigu County ꂿꈬꑤ | Měigū Xiàn mo ggu xiep | 2,514.51 | 238,624 | Bapu Town | 616400 | | 7 | 11 | | | 513437 | Leibo County ꃀꁧꑤ | Léibō Xiàn mop bbo xiep | 2,838.20 | 240,149 | Jincheng Town | 616500 | | 11 | 10 | |

5. Economy

Liangshan was once one of the better-developed areas economically among China's ethnic minority regions. In 2011, the prefecture's GDP reached 100.013 billion yuan, with local public fiscal revenue at 8 billion yuan, ranking seventh and second respectively in Sichuan Province, and both first among the 30 ethnic minority autonomous prefectures nationwide. In the first half of 2012, the regional GDP was 50.03 billion yuan, and local public fiscal revenue was 5.53 billion yuan.

In November 2020, China National Radio's website cited a report from China National Radio's "National News Broadcast," stating that the People's Government of Sichuan Province approved the removal of seven counties—Puge, Butuo, Jinyang, Zhaojue, Xide, Yuexi, and Meigu—from the poverty-stricken county list on the 17th of that month, a far cry from the prefecture's fiscal revenue ranking seventh in the province in 2011.

5.1. Resources

Liangshan Prefecture produces high-quality tobacco leaves and cash crops such as apples, pomegranates, and sugarcane, which are renowned for their excellent quality and taste.

Due to its suitable climate, Liangshan Prefecture is the largest tobacco-producing area in Sichuan Province and serves as a strategic high-quality tobacco leaf base for China Tobacco. In 2021, nearly 50,000 tobacco farming households were engaged in the industry, which provided employment for over 300,000 people across the prefecture. In some counties, tobacco leaf taxes account for nearly one-third of the county's fiscal revenue. Tobacco was introduced to Liangshan Prefecture in 1941, and a monopoly system was established in 1984. In 2004, the Standing Committee of the Liangshan Prefecture People's Congress enacted local legislation to establish a tobacco-focused farming system. During the "Poverty Alleviation Campaign" from 2015 to 2020, the Sichuan Provincial Tobacco Monopoly Bureau (Company) provided targeted assistance to various areas in Liangshan, promoting the development of the tobacco cultivation industry.

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6. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture was 4,858,359. Compared with the 4,532,809 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 325,550 people over the ten-year period, a growth of 7.18%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. Among them, the male population was 2,484,347, accounting for 51.14% of the total population; the female population was 2,374,012, accounting for 48.86% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 104.65. The population aged 0–14 was 1,342,839, accounting for 27.64% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,911,088, accounting for 59.92% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 604,432, accounting for 12.44% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 460,839, accounting for 9.49% of the total population. The urban population was 1,795,575, accounting for 36.96% of the total population; the rural population was 3,062,784, accounting for 63.04% of the total population.

6.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture, the Han Chinese population was 2,167,808, accounting for 44.62%; the ethnic minority population was 2,690,551, accounting for 55.38%. Among them, the Yi population was 2,540,806, accounting for 52.3%; the Tibetan population was 64,411, accounting for 1.33%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han Chinese population increased by 12,437, a growth of 0.58%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 2.93 percentage points; the various ethnic minority populations increased by 313,113, a growth of 13.17%, with their proportion of the total population increasing by 2.93 percentage points. Among them, the Yi population increased by 314,036, a growth of 14.1%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 3.17 percentage points; the Tibetan population increased by 1,443, a growth of 2.29%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.06 percentage points.

There are small settlements of Hakka people from Heyuan in Huanglianguan Town and Zhongba Township of Xichang City.

Tibetans are locally referred to as "Xifan" by Han Chinese. Specific subgroups (including some unidentified ethnic groups classified as Tibetan) include the Ersu, Duoxu, Niru, Pumi, and Zhixumi of the Qiangic Ersu language group, as well as the Namuyi and Mosuo of the Yi language branch, primarily practicing Bon religion. After integration and conflicts with Han Chinese, Yi, Bai, Mosuo, and other ethnic tribes, they are now mainly distributed in the western and northern parts of Liangshan, adjacent to Ya'an City and Ganzi Prefecture. Muli Tibetan Autonomous County is primarily composed of the Pumi, Niru, Shihong, Namuyi, and Gami subgroups.

Ethnic Composition of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Yi | Han | Tibetan | Mongolian | Hui | Miao | Lisu | Naxi | Bouyei | Dai | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------|----------|-----------|----------|----------|------------|---------|-------------------------| | Population | 2,540,806 | 2,167,808 | 64,411 | 27,134 | 15,416 | 12,412 | 10,171 | 5,900 | 4,669 | 2,494 | 7,138 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 52.30 | 44.62 | 1.33 | 0.56 | 0.32 | 0.26 | 0.21 | 0.12 | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.15 | | Percentage of Ethnic Minority Population (%) | 94.43 | - | 2.39 | 1.01 | 0.57 | 0.46 | 0.38 | 0.22 | 0.17 | 0.09 | 0.27 |

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7. Culture

Liangshan was a crucial passage on the ancient Southern Silk Road. Historically, figures such as Sima Qian, Zhuge Liang, Kublai Khan, and Marco Polo traveled and were active in Liangshan. Liangshan is the cultural homeland of the Yi people's Nuosu branch. Within the prefecture, Zhaojue, Butuo, Meigu, Puge, Jinyang, Xide, Puxiong (later merged into Yuexi County), Leibo, and Yuexi are known as the nine old counties of the Yi people. Before democratic reforms, it remained a semi-slave society. The Torch Festival is the liveliest celebration of the Yi people and has now evolved into a carnival where friends from various ethnic groups gather in joyous celebration. The marriage customs of the Mosuo people by Lugu Lake, dating back to the matrilineal clan period, have been preserved intact to this day.

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Xichang City

Xichang City

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