Jiulong Subdistrict of Tonghai County, Yuxi
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) is located in the northwest of Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). It borders Sijie Town (四街镇) and Xingmeng Township (兴蒙乡) to the east, Jiujie Town (九街镇) to the south, Eshan County (峨山县) and Hongta District (红塔区) to the west, and Jiangchuan District (江川区) to the north. In the late Qing Dynasty, the area belonged to the Western District of Tonghai County’s (通海县) five administrative divisions. The terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with an average elevation of about 1,800 meters.
Cultural History
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) has a long history. In 1941, it comprised Jin’an Township (金安乡) and Jiulong Town (九龙镇) among Tonghai County’s (通海县) eight townships. After Tonghai’s liberation on December 13, 1949, eight new townships were established in the area. In February 1950, Jin’an Township (金安乡) and Jiulong Town (九龙镇) merged to form the Third District. In October 1958, it became Jinshan Commune (金山公社), later divided into Jinshan (金山) and Jiujie (九街) communes in 1961. These merged back into the Third District in August 1962, became Jiujie Commune (九街公社) in March 1969, then Jiujie District (九街区) in December 1983, Jiujie Township (九街乡) in 1987, and Jiujie Town (九街镇) in August 1997. On January 10, 2011, it was reclassified as a subdistrict.
Folk Culture
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) is home to 15 ethnic groups including Han, Yi (彝), Hani (哈尼), Bai (白), Zhuang (壮), Hui (回), Miao (苗), Buyi (布依), Dai (傣), Naxi (纳西), Wa (佤), Mongolian (蒙古), Lisu (傈僳), Lahu (拉祜), and Dong (侗), living together harmoniously in a “mixed yet clustered” pattern. The area boasts diverse folk culture, such as the beam-raising ceremony for traditional wooden architecture documented at Guansheng Palace (关圣宫) in Dahezu Community (大河嘴社区) on September 7, 2021. Other cultural performances include high-platform shows (高台), stilt lion dances (高跷舞狮), and dragon dances (舞龙).
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) enjoys a mild climate with four distinct seasons and an average annual temperature of 16°C. The best visiting periods are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the weather is pleasant and natural scenery most captivating.
Recommended Attractions & Visit Duration
Guansheng Palace in Dahezu Community (大河嘴社区关圣宫)
This site hosted the beam-raising ceremony for traditional southern Yunnan wooden architecture, offering insights into local construction techniques. Recommended visit time: 1 hour.
Stone Village (石头村)
Located 29 km southwest of Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道), this centuries-old village features buildings constructed entirely with red sandstone. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes with the Gaoda River (高大河) flowing nearby, it offers a serene rural experience. Recommended visit time: 2 hours.
Transportation
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) is conveniently located just 12 km from Tonghai County (通海县). Buses or taxis from the county take about 20 minutes.
Cuisine
Local specialties include agricultural products like roasted tobacco and vegetables, along with traditional Yunnan farmhouse dishes.
Shopping
Visitors can purchase local agricultural products (flowers, vegetables, dried flowers) and handicrafts/non-legacy creative products.
Accommodation
Simple homestays are available for an authentic local experience. For higher-standard lodging, Tonghai County (通海县) offers better options.
Travel Tips
- Respect local customs, especially in ethnic villages
- Protect natural environments by avoiding littering
- Bring appropriate clothing and sun protection
Itinerary
Day 1: From Tonghai County (通海县), visit Guansheng Palace (关圣宫) to explore traditional architecture.
Day 2: Experience the rustic charm of Stone Village (石头村).
Closing Remarks
Jiulong Subdistrict (九龙街道) blends natural beauty with cultural richness, offering memorable experiences in both landscapes and traditions. Wishing you a wonderful journey.
