Xiangxi Tujia And Miao Autonomous Prefecture (湘西土家族苗族自治州)

1. Introduction

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (Tujia language: Xianxxix bifzivkar befkar zifzifzoux; Xiangxi Miao language: Xangdxid tutjadcul maolcul zibzhibzhoud), abbreviated as Xiangxi Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Hunan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northwest of Hunan Province. The prefecture borders Zhangjiajie City to the northeast, Huaihua City to the southeast, Tongren City of Guizhou Province to the southwest, Chongqing Municipality to the west, and Enshi Prefecture of Hubei Province to the northwest. Situated in the transitional zone between the Wuling Mountains and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the area features small basins and river valleys among the mountains. The main range of the Wuling Mountains stretches across the central part in a northeast-southwest direction, while the southeastern region belongs to the low mountain and hilly area of the Yuan River valley. Karst formations are widely distributed throughout the prefecture. The Wu River and You River, tributaries of the Yuan River, are the major rivers. The total area of the prefecture is 15,470 square kilometers, with a population of 2.461 million. The Tujia and Miao ethnic groups account for approximately 43% and 34% of the population, respectively. The capital of the autonomous prefecture is located at 58 North Renmin Road, Jishou City.

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2. History

The region of Xiangxi has a long history. During the Shang Dynasty, it belonged to the Guifang territory. From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period, it was part of the Qianzhong region of the State of Chu. During the Warring States Period, it fell under the Qianzhong Commandery of Chu. In the Western Han Dynasty, it was part of the Wuling Commandery. During the Three Kingdoms Period, it initially belonged to the Shu Kingdom and later to the Wu Kingdom. In the Western Jin and Eastern Jin Dynasties, it was part of the Wuling Commandery of Jingzhou. During the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties periods, it belonged to Chenzhou. In the Song Dynasty, it was part of Chenzhou and Lizhou under the Jinghu North Circuit. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was under the Enzhou Military and Civilian Pacification Commission and Xintian Geman Pacification Commission of the Huguang Province, as well as the Yongshun Commission of Sichuan Province. In the Ming Dynasty, the Yongshun Pacification Commission and Baojingzhou Pacification Commission were established, with the rest belonging to Yuezhou and Chenzhou. In the Qing Dynasty, Yongshun Prefecture and the directly-administered departments of Fenghuang, Qianzhou, and Yongsui were established, while the northeastern part belonged to Lizhou. During the Republic of China period, from 1914 to 1922, it was part of the Chenyuan Circuit. From 1938 to 1949, it was under the Eighth and Ninth Administrative Inspectorate Districts.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, counties such as Fenghuang, Qiancheng (now Jishou), Yongsui (now Huayuan), Luxi, and others, as well as Yongshun, Longshan, Baojing, and Guzhang, were divided between Yuanling Prefecture and Yongshun Prefecture. In August 1952, the Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region was established, governing six counties: Jishou, Luxi, Fenghuang, Guzhang, Huayuan, and Baojing, while also administering Yongshun, Longshan, Sangzhi, and Dayong (now Yongding District of Zhangjiajie) on behalf of the higher authorities. By the end of the year, these four counties also came under direct jurisdiction. In April 1955, it was renamed the Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture. On September 20, 1957, the autonomous prefecture was officially established. The prefectural capital was set in Jishou, governing ten counties: Luxi, Fenghuang, Huayuan, Baojing, Guzhang, Yongshun, Longshan, Sangzhi, and Dayong. In 1982 and 1985, Jishou and Dayong were upgraded from counties to cities. In 1988, Dayong City (now Zhangjiajie City) was elevated to a prefecture-level city. On December 31, Dayong City and Sangzhi County were officially separated from Xiangxi Prefecture.

3. Geography

The map coordinates of Xiangxi Prefecture are between 109°10′–110°22.5′ east longitude and 27°44.5′–29°38′ north latitude. It borders Sangzhi County and Yongding District of Zhangjiajie City within the province to the northeast; Yuanling County, Chenxi County, and Mayang Miao Autonomous County of Huaihua City within the province to the southeast; Songtao Miao Autonomous County of Tongren City, Guizhou Province to the southwest; Qianjiang District and Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County of Chongqing Municipality to the west; and Laifeng County and Xuan'en County of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province to the northwest.

Geographically, it is located at the junction of the northeastern side of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the southwestern end of the Western Hubei Mountains. The Wuling Mountain Range runs diagonally across the entire territory from northeast to southwest. The terrain is lower in the southeast and higher in the northwest, situated on the eastern edge of China's second topographic step, which descends gradually from west to east. The west connects to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the north adjoins the Western Hubei Mountains, the southeast is shielded by the Xuefeng Mountain Range, and the Wuling Mountains meander through the region. The land slopes from northwest to southeast, with an average elevation of 800–1200 meters. The highest point is Daling Mountain in Longshan County on the northwestern border, at 1736.5 meters above sea level; the lowest point is the riverbed at the outlet of Dalongxi in Shangbao Township, Luxi County, at 97.1 meters above sea level. Limestone is widely distributed in the southwest, with well-developed karst features, including numerous caves and underground streams; quartz sandstone is densely distributed in the northwest, forming small peaks due to crustal movements, most typically around Paiwu Township in Huayuan County. The eastern and western parts are low hilly areas, with an average elevation of 200–500 meters, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, with alluvial plains on both banks. The overall geomorphology is characterized by mountainous and plateau terrain, interspersed with hills and small plains, forming an arc-shaped mountainous region protruding to the northwest.

The climate belongs to the subtropical monsoon zone. The annual average temperature ranges from 15 to 16.9°C, with a maximum recorded temperature of 40.5°C and a minimum of -5.5°C. Annual precipitation is 1300–1500 mm, and the frost-free period lasts 250–280 days. Rainfall is concentrated in spring and summer, while autumn droughts are common, significantly impacting agriculture.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------------| | Record high °C | 23 | 29.5 | 32.5 | 35.5 | 36.2 | 37.5 | 39.6 | 39.5 | 38.2 | 35.1 | 32.4 | 23.9 | 39.6 | | Record high °F | 73.4 | 85.1 | 90.5 | 95.9 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 103.3 | 103.1 | 100.8 | 95.2 | 90.3 | 75 | 103.3 | | Average high °C | 9.1 | 11.2 | 15.7 | 22.1 | 26.6 | 29.6 | 32.6 | 32.6 | 28.8 | 22.6 | 17.5 | 12.1 | 21.7 | | Average high °F | 48.4 | 52.2 | 60.3 | 71.8 | 79.9 | 85.3 | 90.7 | 90.7 | 83.8 | 72.7 | 63.5 | 53.8 | 71.1 | | Daily mean °C | 5.3 | 7.3 | 11.1 | 16.9 | 21.4 | 24.8 | 27.5 | 27.2 | 23.4 | 17.8 | 12.6 | 7.5 | 16.9 | | Daily mean °F | 41.5 | 45.1 | 52 | 62.4 | 70.5 | 76.6 | 81.5 | 81 | 74.1 | 64 | 54.7 | 45.5 | 62.4 | | Average low °C | 2.9 | 4.7 | 8 | 13.4 | 17.8 | 21.5 | 23.9 | 23.5 | 19.8 | 14.8 | 9.5 | 4.6 | 13.7 | | Average low °F | 37.2 | 40.5 | 46.4 | 56.1 | 64 | 70.7 | 75 | 74.3 | 67.6 | 58.6 | 49.1 | 40.3 | 56.7 | | Record low °C | −4.1 | −3.7 | −0.7 | 3.1 | 8.1 | 13 | 16.9 | 16.1 | 12.5 | 4.2 | −1.4 | −3.9 | −4.1 | | Record low °F | 24.6 | 25.3 | 30.7 | 37.6 | 46.6 | 55.4 | 62.4 | 61 | 54.5 | 39.6 | 29.5 | 25 | 24.6 | | Avg. precipitation mm | 45.5 | 54.8 | 77.9 | 147.4 | 201.5 | 215.1 | 222.2 | 129.1 | 71.7 | 100.3 | 65.7 | 33.3 | 1,364.50 | | Avg. precipitation inches | 1.79 | 2.16 | 3.07 | 5.8 | 7.93 | 8.47 | 8.75 | 5.08 | 2.82 | 3.95 | 2.59 | 1.31 | 53.72 | | Avg. relative humidity (%) | 79 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 80 | 79 | 78 | 81 | 79 | 76 | 79 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Xiangxi Prefecture administers 1 county-level city and 7 counties.

• County-level City: Jishou City
• Counties: Luxi County, Fenghuang County, Huayuan County, Baojing County, Guzhang County, Yongshun County, Longshan County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese PinyinWestern Hunan Dialect Miao Script | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 433100 | Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Xiāngxī Tǔjiāzú Miáozú Zìzhìzhōu Xyaa Xyi Thws Ca Txhwj Mioj Txhwj Txim Tsim Tsawb | 15,470.40 | 2,488,105 | Jishou City | 416000 | 10 | 75 | 30 | | 433101 | Jishou City | Jíshǒu Shì Jib Soud | 1,061.81 | 408,812 | Qianzhou Subdistrict| 416000 | 6 | 5 | 1 | | 433122 | Luxi County | Lúxī Xiàn Lioux Kid | 1,566.26 | 240,937 | Baisha Town | 416100 | | 7 | 4 | | 433123 | Fenghuang County | Fènghuáng Xiàn Jib Zhes | 1,750.08 | 351,619 | Tuojiang Town | 416200 | | 13 | 4 | | 433124 | Huayuan County | Huāyuán Xiàn Jib Yox | 1,109.35 | 249,238 | Huayuan Town | 416400 | | 9 | 3 | | 433125 | Baojing County | Bǎojìng Xiàn Jib Yal | 1,754.60 | 238,792 | Qianling Town | 416500 | | 10 | 2 | | 433126 | Guzhang County | Gǔzhàng Xiàn Bloud Nhol | 1,286.37 | 108,798 | Guyang Town | 416300 | | 7 | | | 433127 | Yongshun County | Yǒngshùn Xiàn Mongl Dongs | 3,811.74 | 413,470 | Lingxi Town | 416700 | | 12 | 11 | | 433130 | Longshan County | Lóngshān Xiàn Gheul Rongx | 3,130.18 | 476,439 | Min'an Subdistrict | 416800 | 4 | 12 | 5 |

5. Economy

Since the reform and opening-up, Xiangxi Prefecture has established and implemented a development strategy of "stabilizing the city through agriculture, establishing the city through industry, flourishing the city through tourism, revitalizing the city through talent, governing the city by law, and enriching the people to strengthen the city." By expanding opening-up and accelerating development, significant achievements have been made in national economic and social development. A large number of advanced production equipment and various automated production lines have been introduced, accelerating the transformation of traditional industries and promoting the rise of emerging industries. Currently, over 30 major categories of industrial products have been formed, including ceramics, clothing, food, electronics, hardware, medicine, building materials, chemicals, and plastics. In 2008, the prefecture's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 22.666 billion yuan. Among this, the added value of the primary industry was 4.157 billion yuan, an increase of 5%; the added value of the secondary industry was 9.364 billion yuan, an increase of 7.8%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 9.144 billion yuan, an increase of 9.9%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita GDP was 9,081 yuan. The total fiscal revenue of the prefecture was 2.404 billion yuan, of which local fiscal revenue accounted for 1.324 billion yuan. Fiscal expenditure amounted to 6.267 billion yuan.

The main agricultural crops in the autonomous prefecture include rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, rapeseed, and tobacco leaves. The main industrial products are raw coal, electricity, cement, timber, cigarettes, chemical fertilizers, yarn, and cloth. The most famous local specialties include tung oil, raw lacquer, tea oil, tea leaves, tobacco leaves, citrus fruits, chestnuts, honey, and medicinal herbs. Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture is one of the key production areas for tung oil in China, with its tung oil known for its excellent quality and golden color. Longshan County is designated as a national raw lacquer base. The "Red Shell Big Wood" lacquer tree here is recognized as one of the superior lacquer tree varieties in China. "Guzhang Maojian" and "Baojing Lanzhen" are nationally renowned teas. "Xiangquan" and "Jiugui" are premium wines and are classified as national-level famous liquors. Tujia brocade and Miao embroidery are highly favored for their distinctive ethnic characteristics and unique traditional craftsmanship.

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6. Population

By the end of 2022, the total population of the prefecture was 2.902 million, with a permanent resident population of 2.461 million. Among them, the urban population was 1.285 million, and the rural population was 1.176 million. The urbanization rate was 52.21%, an increase of 0.64 percentage points from the previous year. The annual number of births in the prefecture was 19,600, with a birth rate of 6.46‰. The annual number of deaths was 13,500, with a mortality rate of 4.44‰. The annual natural population growth rate was 2.02‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the prefecture was 2,488,105. Compared with the 2,549,558 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 61,453 people over the ten years, a decline of 2.41%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.24%. Among them, the male population was 1,280,117, accounting for 51.45% of the total population; the female population was 1,207,988, accounting for 48.55% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 105.97. The population aged 0–14 was 529,434, accounting for 21.28% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,486,252, accounting for 59.73% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 472,419, accounting for 18.99% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 374,182, accounting for 15.04% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,262,007, accounting for 50.72% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 1,226,098, accounting for 49.28% of the total population.

6.1. Ethnic Groups

Xiangxi Prefecture is predominantly inhabited by ethnic minorities and serves as a major settlement area for ethnic minorities in Hunan Province. It also has the largest populations of Tujia and Miao ethnic groups in Hunan. The indigenous ethnic groups are the Tujia, Miao, and Han. The Tujia population exceeds one million, making it the largest ethnic group. The Miao population exceeds 800,000, making it the second-largest ethnic group. The Han population exceeds 600,000, making it the third-largest ethnic group. Preliminary results from the 2010 census show that Xiangxi had 1,967,096 ethnic minorities, accounting for 77.21% of the total population. Among them, the Tujia numbered 1,089,301, accounting for 42.75% of the total population, and the Miao numbered 863,141, accounting for 33.88%.

Analysis results from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000 show that Xiangxi had a total ethnic minority population of 1,836,953, accounting for 28.65% of the ethnic minorities in Hunan Province, ranking first in the province in terms of ethnic minority population. This accounted for 74.56% of the regional population. Among China's 55 ethnic minorities, 42 are represented in the region. The Tujia population exceeded one million, totaling 1,012,997, accounting for 38.38% of the Tujia population in Hunan and 41.12% of the regional total population, making it the largest ethnic group. The Miao population exceeded 800,000, totaling 808,813, accounting for 42.09% of the Miao population in Hunan and 32.83% of the regional total population, making it the second-largest ethnic group. The Han population exceeded 600,000, totaling 626,664, accounting for 25.44% of the regional total population, making it the third-largest ethnic group. The populations of other ethnic groups were below 10,000. Among them, the Hui population was 7,178, while the Dong, Yao, and Bai ethnic groups each had populations exceeding 1,000, with 2,044, 1,933, and 1,843 people, respectively. Seven other ethnic groups, including the Uyghur and Manchu, had populations exceeding 100.

In 2020, among the permanent resident population of the prefecture, the Han population was 560,544, accounting for 22.53%, while the total ethnic minority population was 1,927,561, accounting for 77.47%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 21,916, a decline of 3.76%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.32 percentage points. The total ethnic minority population decreased by 39,537, a decline of 2.01%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.32 percentage points. Among them, the Tujia population decreased by 11,150, a decline of 1.02%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.61 percentage points. The Miao population decreased by 32,195, a decline of 3.73%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.46 percentage points.

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7. Culture

The culture of Western Hunan differs from other regions in Hunan due to the unique cultural characteristics of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups in Western Hunan.

• Fenghuang County Town is a well-preserved small city in Western Hunan and is designated as a National Historical and Cultural City.
• The Miaojiang Great Wall, also known as the Southern Great Wall of China, is one of the rare Great Wall structures located south of the Yangtze River in China (another Southern Great Wall is located in Linhai City, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province).
• Corpse Driving
• Cave Falling
• Red Stone Forest National Geological Park

7.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Xizhou Bronze Pillar
• Old Si City Site
• Liye Ancient City Site
• Fenghuang Ancient Castle
• Shen Congwen's Former Residence
• Bu'ermen Site
• Sifang City Site
• Weijiazhai Ancient City Site
• Liye Daban Site and Tombs
• Yangfeng Ancient City Site
• Liye Maicha Warring States Tombs
• Qianzhou Confucian Temple

7.3 Local Specialties

Western Hunan Kiwifruit: A product of China's Geographical Indication.

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Jishou City

Longshan County

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