Zhongpai Township of Lanping County, Nujiang

Geographical Location and Administrative Divisions: Zhongpai Township is located in the northwest of Lantsang Bai and Pumi Autonomous County, on the banks of the Lancang River. It is 95 kilometers away from the county seat and has a total area of 551.73 square kilometers. The township is bordered by Tongdian Town to the east, Yingpan Town to the south, Fugong County to the west, and Zhongpai Township to the north. It administers 14 villages, including Zhongpai Village, Biyuhe Village, Beidian Village, Deqing Village, Doyi Village, Nuoduo Village, Xinchangping Village, Dazong Village, Xiaolong Village, Yanchuan Village, Datujicun Village, and Kzhuo Village.

Cultural Characteristics: Zhongpai Township is a multi-ethnic settlement, mainly inhabited by the Lisu, Bai, Pumi, Han, Nu, and Yi ethnic groups. The Nu people are known for their stone culture, with traditional buildings often constructed from stone, creating a unique architectural style. The area also boasts rich folk cultures, such as the Pumi dance “Cuocuo” and Lisu folk songs.

Economic Development: The economy of Zhongpai Township is primarily based on agriculture and industry. In terms of agriculture, the main crops include rice, corn, and potatoes. The industrial sector focuses on mining and timber processing. In recent years, the tourism industry has also been growing, attracting numerous visitors to experience the local natural scenery and ethnic culture. Zhongpai Township is also known for its walnut and chili pepper industries, with a walnut planting area of 55,000 mu and chili peppers being a major agricultural specialty.

Historical Evolution: Zhongpai Township has a long history. Before the Republic of China period (1913), it belonged to Lijiang County. It underwent several administrative adjustments and was officially established as Zhongpai Township in 1987 after being designated as a commune in 1958 and later converted to a district in 1964.

Development Model: Zhongpai Township has been actively promoting the “work-for-relief” model to boost the income of the local population. Through the establishment of construction companies or teams by the township, the model has been implemented in 17 projects with a total investment of 50.75 million yuan. This has provided employment opportunities for over 2,000 local residents, resulting in the distribution of approximately 6.5 million yuan in labor wages, with an average income increase of over 3,000 yuan per person. The township has also focused on training to develop skilled construction workers, enhancing their skills and management capabilities, which has further contributed to the local economy and improved the standard of living for the residents.

Zhongpai Township, with its unique geographical location, rich ethnic culture, and diverse economic development model, has become a distinctive town in Lantsang County.