Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔西南布依族苗族自治州)

1. Introduction

Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (Buyei: Qianfxiynanf Bux Qyaix Bux Yeeuz Ziqziqzouy, Miao: Qeef Xib Naif Dol Yat Dol Hmub Zid Zid Zeb), abbreviated as Qianxinan Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Guizhou Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southwestern part of Guizhou Province. The prefecture borders Liupanshui City to the northwest, Anshun City to the northeast, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture to the east, Baise City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south, and Qujing City of Yunnan Province to the southwest. It is situated at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, on the southeastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The Nanpan River flows along the southern border, while the Beipan River flows through the eastern part, converging at Shuangjiangkou in Wangmo County to form the Hongshui River. The prefecture covers a total area of 16,806 square kilometers, with a population of 2.8216 million. The Han, Buyei, and Miao ethnic groups account for approximately 61%, 28%, and 7% of the population, respectively. The prefectural capital is located in Xingyi City. Qianxinan Prefecture is known as the "Golden Prefecture of China" due to its abundant gold reserves.

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2. History

During the Han Dynasty, it belonged to Zangke Commandery. In the Three Kingdoms and Western Jin periods, it was divided between Zangke Commandery and Xinggu Commandery. In the Tang Dynasty, the region was divided between the Jiannan Circuit and Qianzhong Circuit. During the Wude era, Pan Shui County was established (governing present-day Pu'an County); in the seventh year of Wude (624 AD), Xiping Prefecture was established, governing Futang County (present-day Xingyi City). In the fourth year of Zhenguan (630 AD), Lai Nan County was established (governing present-day Qinglong County), belonging to the Jimi Yan Prefecture, but was later abolished; in the eighth year of Zhenguan (634 AD), Xiping Prefecture was renamed Pan Prefecture. In the third year of Yonghui (652 AD), Pan Prefecture was downgraded to a Jimi Prefecture. In the fifteenth year of Tianbao (756 AD), the territory of Pan Prefecture was incorporated into Nanzhao. During the Song Dynasty, the region was part of the Yushi Department under Nanzhao and Dali, with the southeastern part belonging to the Zigu Kingdom.

In the seventh year of the Mongol Xianzong (1257 AD), the Yushi Department of the Cuàn people submitted to Mongol rule, and the Yushi Wanhu Fu was established. In the thirteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1276 AD), the Wuman people submitted, and the Yushi Wanhu Fu was renamed the Pu'an Lu Zongguan Fu, signifying "peace and celebration throughout the land," and was placed under the Yunnan and Other Areas Branch Secretariat. In the fifteenth year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1382 AD), Pu'an Lu was renamed Pu'an Fu, and Pu'an Wei was established concurrently, under the Yunnan and Other Areas Administration Commission; Weisa Wei was also established but was soon abolished. In the twenty-third year of Hongwu (1390 AD), Weisa Wei was reestablished and renamed An'nan Wei, governing Jiangxipo (east of present-day Pu'an County), under the Guizhou Regional Military Commission; Xincheng Qianhu Suo was established in present-day Xingren City; Xinxing Qianhu Suo was established in present-day Pu'an County (present-day Panshui Town), both belonging to An'nan Wei; Anlong Qianhu Suo was established in present-day Anlong County seat, and An'nan Qianhu Suo was established north of present-day Pu'an County, both belonging to Pu'an Wei. In the twenty-fifth year, An'nan Wei relocated its seat to Weisa Fort (present-day Qinglong County seat). In the tenth year of Zhengtong (1445 AD), An'nan Qianhu Suo was relocated to Luowei River (present-day Luowei Village, Xingren County). In the fourth year of Wanli (1576 AD), Yongning Prefecture moved its seat to An'nan Wei, sharing the same city with the Wei.

In the sixth year of Yongli of the Southern Ming (1652 AD), the Yongli Emperor resided in Anlong and established Anlong Fu. In the fifteenth year of Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1658 AD), Anlong Fu was abolished and reverted to Anlong Suo; in the sixteenth year (1659 AD), Pu'an Wei was abolished and Pu'an Zhou was established; in the eighteenth year (1661 AD), Pu'an County was established, governing Manai (present-day Manai Camp, north of Xingren City), under Anshun Fu. In the first year of Kangxi (1662 AD), An'nan Suo was abolished and merged into Anlong Suo; in the tenth year (1671 AD), Xincheng Qianhu Suo was abolished, and the seat of Pu'an County was moved to Xincheng (present-day Xingren City); in the twenty-second year (1684 AD), the seat of Pu'an County was relocated to Xinxing Suo (present-day Pu'an County seat); in the twenty-fifth year (1686 AD), Anlong Suo was renamed Nanlong Ting, named by taking one character each from An'nan and Anlong, under Anshun Fu; in the twenty-sixth year (1687 AD), An'nan Wei was abolished and replaced by An'nan County, under Anshun Fu. In the fifth year of Yongzheng (1727 AD), Nanlong Ting was elevated to Nanlong Fu, with Pu'an County and An'nan County transferred under its jurisdiction; Pu'an Zhou Pan was established at Huangcaoba (present-day Xingyi City area); Yongfeng Zhou was established in the Changba area, governing Minqiu (present-day Mingu Town, Zhenfeng County), under Nanlong Fu; the territory originally belonging to Sicheng Zhou of Guangxi that was incorporated into Guizhou was established as Ceheng Zhou Tong (governing present-day Ceyang, west of Ceheng County), under Yongfeng Zhou. In the second year of Jiaqing (1797 AD), Nanlong Fu was renamed Xingyi Fu (governing present-day Anlong County); Yongfeng Zhou was renamed Zhenfeng Zhou. In the third year of Jiaqing (1798 AD), Pu'an Zhou Pan was abolished and Xingyi County was established; Pu'an County Cheng was established in Xincheng (present-day Xingren City). In the first year of Tongzhi (1862 AD), due to the outbreak of the "White Flag Uprising," Xingyi Fu moved its seat to Xingyi County (present-day Xingyi City).

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), Xincheng County was established in the area of Pu'an County Cheng. In 1913, Fu, Zhou, and Ting were abolished and replaced by counties; Xingyi Fu was renamed Nanlong County (present-day Anlong County), Zhenfeng Zhou was renamed Zhenfeng County, Ceheng Zhou Tong was renamed Ceheng County, along with Xingyi County (present-day Xingyi City), Xincheng County (present-day Xingren City), Pu'an County, and An'nan County (present-day Qinglong County), all under Qianxi Dao (renamed Guixi Dao in 1914). In 1914, due to duplicate names, Xincheng County was renamed Xingren County. In 1922, Nanlong County was renamed Anlong County. In 1923, all counties came directly under Guizhou Province. In 1940, Shuangjiang County was established from the southeastern part of Zhenfeng County and parts of Luodian, Ziyun, and Guanling counties; later, due to duplicate names with Shuangjiang County in Yunnan Province, it was renamed Wangmo County based on the homophonic name of its seat, Wangmu Town. In 1941, An'nan County, having the same name as the French colony Annam, was renamed Qinglong County after the nearby Qinglong Mountain.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xingren Special District was established, with its seat in Xingren County. In December 1952, Xingren Special District was renamed Xingyi Special District, and its seat was moved to Xingyi County. In April 1956, Anlong, Ceheng, Wangmo, and Zhenfeng counties were transferred to the newly established Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture; in July of the same year, Xingyi Special District was abolished, and its six counties—Xingyi, Xingren, Panxian, Pu'an, Guanling, and Qinglong—were transferred to Anshun Special District. In 1957, the seat of Ceheng County was moved to Zhelou. In 1958, Zhenfeng County was merged into Xingren County, Qinglong County was merged into Pu'an County, and Ceheng County was merged into Anlong County. In 1961, Zhenfeng, Qinglong, and Ceheng counties were restored. In August 1965, Xingyi Special District was restored, and Zhenfeng, Ceheng, and Anlong counties were respectively redesignated as Zhenfeng Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, Ceheng Buyei Autonomous County, and Anlong Buyei and Miao Autonomous County. In 1970, Xingyi Special District was renamed Xingyi Region. In January 1971, Panxian was redesignated as Panxian Special Zone and transferred to Liupanshui City. In September 1981, Xingyi Region was abolished, and Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was established (officially inaugurated on May 1, 1982), with the autonomous prefecture's capital in Xingyi County; the autonomous county status of Zhenfeng, Ceheng, and Anlong was revoked. On November 6, 1987, Xingyi County was abolished and the county-level Xingyi City was established. On August 3, 2018, Xingren County was abolished and the county-level Xingren City was established.

3. Geography

Qianxinan Prefecture spans from 104°35′ to 106°32′ east longitude and 24°38′ to 26°11′ north latitude. It stretches 210 kilometers from east to west and 127 kilometers from north to south, belonging to the Nanpan River and Beipan River basins of the Pearl River system. To the east, it borders Luodian County of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture; to the south, it faces the three counties of Longlin, Tianlin, and Leye in Guangxi across the river; to the west, it neighbors Fuyuan and Luoping counties of Yunnan Province and the Panxian Special District of Liupanshui City. It is a typical low-latitude, high-altitude mountainous area.

The terrain of Qianxinan Prefecture is higher in the west and lower in the east, higher in the north and lower in the south. The highest point is at the peak of the Qishe and Pengzha plateau in Xingyi City, with an elevation of 2,207.2 meters; the lowest point is at the estuary of the Dahong River by the Hongshui River in Wangmo County, with an elevation of 275 meters, resulting in a height difference of 1,932.2 meters. Most areas have elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters. The prefecture features significant topographic undulations, diverse landforms, and notable transitional characteristics, leading to distinct internal variations. It can be divided into five geomorphological regions: low-mountain erosional mountainous canyon area, karst plateau trough and basin area, karst erosional plateau area, karst erosional mountainous area, and erosional mountainous valley area. The soils are predominantly acidic to slightly acidic red and yellow soils.

3.1. Climate

The region falls within the subtropical monsoon climate zone, characterized by ample heat (annual average temperature ranging from 13.6°C to 19.1°C), abundant rainfall (annual average precipitation ranging from 1,253.1 mm to 1,577.2 mm), simultaneous occurrence of rain and heat, a long frost-free period, and year-round warm and humid conditions. Winters are mild without severe cold, and summers are cool without intense heat. Due to deeply incised river valleys and significant relative elevation differences, heat distribution varies considerably at different altitudes. The climatic feature of "different weather within ten li" is quite pronounced in many areas.

Meteorological Data for Xingyi 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) | 31.0 (87.8) | 33.8 (92.8) | 34.5 (94.1) | 36.5 (97.7) | 33.7 (92.7) | 33.5 (92.3) | 32.1 (89.8) | 33.6 (92.5) | 30.4 (86.7) | 28.2 (82.8) | 26.5 (79.7) | 36.5 (97.7) | | Average High °C (°F) | 11.7 (53.1) | 14.7 (58.5) | 19.4 (66.9) | 24.0 (75.2) | 25.7 (78.3) | 26.3 (79.3) | 26.9 (80.4) | 27.1 (80.8) | 25.1 (77.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | 17.6 (63.7) | 13.3 (55.9) | 21.1 (69.9) | | Daily Mean °C (°F) | 7.6 (45.7) | 10.0 (50.0) | 13.8 (56.8) | 18.3 (64.9) | 20.6 (69.1) | 21.9 (71.4) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.3 (72.1) | 20.5 (68.9) | 16.9 (62.4) | 13.2 (55.8) | 9.1 (48.4) | 16.4 (61.5) | | Average Low °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) | 6.9 (44.4) | 10.2 (50.4) | 14.3 (57.7) | 16.9 (62.4) | 18.8 (65.8) | 19.6 (67.3) | 19.2 (66.6) | 17.3 (63.1) | 14.2 (57.6) | 10.3 (50.5) | 6.3 (43.3) | 13.3 (55.8) | | Record Low °C (°F) | -3.3 (26.1) | -2.1 (28.2) | -1.6 (29.1) | 3.6 (38.5) | 8.5 (47.3) | 12.8 (55.0) | 14.1 (57.4) | 14.3 (57.7) | 10.0 (50.0) | 6.4 (43.5) | 0.8 (33.4) | -4.7 (23.5) | -4.7 (23.5) | | Average Precipitation mm (in) | 26.9 (1.06) | 33.5 (1.32) | 37.8 (1.49) | 50.6 (1.99) | 152.2 (5.99) | 298.3 (11.74) | 299.0 (11.77) | 230.5 (9.07) | 150.3 (5.92) | 101.4 (3.99) | 48.0 (1.89) | 22.4 (0.88) | 1,450.9 (57.11) | | Average Relative Humidity % | 84 | 78 | 72 | 70 | 75 | 83 | 84 | 83 | 81 | 84 | 82 | 82 | 80 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Qianxinan Prefecture currently administers 2 county-level cities and 6 counties.

• County-level cities: Xingyi City, Xingren City
• Counties: Pu'an County, Qinglong County, Zhenfeng County, Wangmo County, Ceheng County, Anlong County Dingxiao Economic Development Zone is an economic management zone established by Qianxinan Prefecture.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin Buyi Language Miao Language—Qiandong Dialect | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | of which: Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 522300 | Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Qiánxīnán Bùyīzú Miáozú Zìzhìzhōu Qianfxiynanf Bux Qyaix Bux Yeeuz Ziqziqzouy Qeef Xib Naif Dol Yat Dol Hmub Zid Zid Zeb | 16,806.26 | 3,015,112 | Xingyi City | 562400 | 41 | 84 | 15 | 3 | | 522301 | Xingyi City | Xīngyì Shì Xinyyiq Siq Xenb Yid (Yis Fangx) Sid | 2,908.21 | 1,004,132 | Huangcao Subdistrict | 562400 | 10 | 18 | 3 | | | 522302 | Xingren City | Xīngrén Shì Xinyrenf Siq Xenb Renf (Yis Hvib) Sid | 1,778.38 | 425,770 | Chengbei Subdistrict | 562300 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1 | | 522323 | Pu'an County | Pǔ'ān Xiàn Pujngany Xianq Pux Ngaib Xeed | 1,453.59 | 242,958 | Nanhu Subdistrict | 561500 | 4 | 8 | 2 | | | 522324 | Qinglong County | Qínglóng Xiàn Qinflungf Xianq Qenf Longf Xeed | 1,309.79 | 234,162 | Dongguan Subdistrict | 561400 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 1 | | 522325 | Zhenfeng County | Zhēngfēng Xiàn Zenyfungy (Miangxguz) Xianq Zenb Fongb (Diub Jeb) Xeed | 1,509.33 | 307,313 | Yongfeng Subdistrict | 562200 | 5 | 9 | 3 | | | 522326 | Wangmo County | Wàngmó Xiàn Weangzmox Xianq Wangd Mof Xeed | 3,018.44 | 235,243 | Wangmu Subdistrict | 552300 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 1 | | 522327 | Ceheng County | Cèhēng Xiàn Ceqheny (Xeehlauz) Xianq Ceed Henb Xeed | 2,596.80 | 189,709 | Zhelou Subdistrict | 552200 | 3 | 9 | 1 | | | 522328 | Anlong County | Ānlóng Xiàn Nganylungf Xianq Ngaib Longf (Diub Xod) Xeed | 2,231.72 | 375,825 | Qifeng Subdistrict | 552400 | 5 | 10 | | |

5. Economy

In 2011, the total gross domestic product (GDP) of the entire prefecture reached 37.532 billion yuan, an increase of 15.6% over the previous year. Among this, the added value of the primary industry was 5.993 billion yuan, up by 1.3%; the added value of the secondary industry was 14.584 billion yuan, up by 20.9%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 16.954 billion yuan, up by 16.8%.

6. Transportation

6.1. Expressways

• G60 Shanghai–Kunming Expressway
• G78 Shantou–Kunming Expressway

6.2. National Highways

• National Highway 246
• National Highway 320
• National Highway 324
• National Highway 354

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7. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the prefecture was 3,015,112. Compared with the 2,804,612 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 210,500 people over the ten-year period, a growth of 7.51%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.73%. Among them, the male population was 1,538,616, accounting for 51.03% of the total population; the female population was 1,476,496, accounting for 48.97% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 104.21. The population aged 0–14 was 775,752, accounting for 25.73% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,795,734, accounting for 59.56% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 443,626, accounting for 14.71% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 316,929, accounting for 10.51% of the total population. The urban population was 1,390,938, accounting for 46.13% of the total population; the rural population was 1,624,174, accounting for 53.87% of the total population.

7.1. Ethnic Groups

The main ethnic minorities include the Bouyei, Miao, Dong, Yi, Gelao, Yao, and Li ethnic groups. Among the permanent resident population of the prefecture, the Han population was 1,833,883, accounting for 60.82%; the total population of various ethnic minorities was 1,181,229, accounting for 39.18%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 133,831, a growth of 7.87%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.21 percentage points; the total population of various ethnic minorities increased by 76,669, a growth of 6.94%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.21 percentage points. Among them, the Bouyei population increased by 21,480, a growth of 2.78%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 1.21 percentage points; the Miao population increased by 22,758, a growth of 11.47%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.26 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Bouyei | Miao | Yi | Li | Hui | Tujia | Zhuang | Dong | Gelao | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|------------|------------|------------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|-------------------------| | Population | 1,833,883 | 794,484 | 221,249 | 52,692 | 41,000 | 30,523 | 7,841 | 6,314 | 6,196 | 6,042 | 14,888 | | % of Total Population | 60.82 | 26.35 | 7.34 | 1.75 | 1.36 | 1.01 | 0.26 | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.20 | 0.49 | | % of Minority Population | - | 67.26 | 18.73 | 4.46 | 3.47 | 2.58 | 0.66 | 0.53 | 0.52 | 0.51 | 1.26 |

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Xingyi City

Xingyi City

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