Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) is located in the southwest of China and is one of the four major plateaus in China. It spans between longitudes 100° to 111° and latitudes 22° to 30°, with its western boundary defined by the Hengduan Mountains (横断山) and Ailao Mountains (哀牢山), and its eastern boundary reaching the Wuling Mountains (武陵山), Xuefeng Mountains (雪峰山), and the southeastern Yuecheng Mountains (越城岭). To the north, it stretches to the Daluo Mountains (大娄山), near the Yangtze River (长江) in the south, and it extends to the border region between Guizhou (贵州) and Yunnan (云南) provinces. The plateau spans roughly 1,000 kilometers from east to west and 400 to 800 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of around 500,000 square kilometers.

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau includes the eastern part of Yunnan Province (云南), all of Guizhou Province (贵州), the northwestern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区), and the borders of Sichuan (四川), Hubei (湖北), and Hunan (湖南) provinces. This region is where two major mountain ranges — running from north to south and northeast to southwest — intersect. The topography is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The plateau is divided by the Wumeng Mountains (乌蒙山) into two sections: the Yunnan Plateau and the Guizhou Plateau, with elevations ranging from 400 meters to 3,500 meters above sea level.

Geography and Climate

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau experiences a subtropical humid climate typical of the monsoon climate. This region has significant climatic variation, with well-developed karst topography due to the high distribution and thickness of limestone. This has led to the formation of sinkholes, doline depressions, caves, gorges, natural bridges, and basins. It is considered one of the most representative regions of karst landscape in the world. Rivers like the Jinsha River (金沙江), Yuanjiang River (元江), Nanpan River (南盘江), Beipan River (北盘江), Wu River (乌江), Yuanjiang River (沅江), and Liuzhou River (柳江) carve through the plateau, creating a fragmented landscape with many faults and lakes.

The plateau is a hotspot for biological diversity, home to a large number of ethnic minorities, including the Miao (苗族), Yi (彝族), Zhuang (壮族), and many others. These ethnic groups have preserved their rich cultural traditions. The plateau is also known for its diverse forest vegetation types, and its mineral resources and wildlife are abundant. Historically, this region has been a key area for the origin and spread of ancient human civilization, with the existence of ancient kingdoms like Yelang (夜郎), Nanzhao (南诏), and Dali Kingdom (大理国), which contributed to the brilliant Southwestern Yi Culture (西南夷文化).

Formation of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau

Around 200 million years ago, the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau was submerged under sea water, where large deposits of pure limestone accumulated. During the late Triassic period (about 208 million years ago), the Indosinian Orogeny (印支运动) caused tectonic activity, leading to alternating crustal uplift and subsidence. This process continued for millions of years, with further compression from the northeast and east, which made the crust progressively thicker. Starting from the Tertiary period (about 36 to 53 million years ago), the Himalayan Orogeny (喜马拉雅造山运动) raised the plateau once more, contributing to the formation of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau.

In the Neogene to Early Pleistocene period, the Pacific Plate (太平洋板块) and the Indian Plate (印度板块) influenced the region, leading to a relatively stable period. Since the Mid-Pleistocene, the ongoing uplift of the Tibetan Plateau (青藏高原) has continued to impact the region, creating the characteristic high-west and low-east topography of Guizhou Province (贵州).

The southwestern part of Guizhou has a double-layered crust composed of a crystalline basement and sedimentary cover, formed during different tectonic periods. The Yangtze Block (扬子陆块) and the Right Jiang Tectonic Belt (右江构造带) have varying base consolidation times due to differing tectonic forces such as Jinning Movement (晋宁运动) and Caledonian Movement (加里东运动).

Geological Environment

Basement Structure

The basement structure of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is mainly formed by the Wumeng Mountain Orogeny (乌蒙山造山带) and the Proterozoic Orogeny (古元古代造山带) along the western edge of the Yangtze Plate. These structures are rich in iron and copper deposits, which are major sources of resources in the region. The Tao Dan (汤丹岩群), He Kou (河口岩群), and Da Hong Mountain (大红山岩群) formations belong to ancient Proterozoic rock formations, which have characteristics of a New Archaean to Proterozoic basement.

In the Middle Proterozoic, mantle fluid intrusion and volcanic events formed rift basins, leading to the development of East Chuan, Lu Wu, Yi Men, and Yuan Jiang (元江) sedimentary basins.

Tectonic Movements

Throughout the Proterozoic era, the plateau primarily experienced stretching and shearing actions. In the early Proterozoic, due to the influence of the East Chuan Movement (川东运动), ductile shear deformation occurred, which shaped the plateau’s base structure. Later, during the Caledonian Orogeny, compressional tectonic movements began, forming the Snow Peak Mountain (雪峰山) orogen.

In the Paleozoic era, extension movements continued to dominate, but as time progressed, these shifted towards compression. During the Cambrian to Silurian periods, the Yangtze Block experienced continental rifting, and later compressional structures formed, especially during the Caledonian orogeny.

During the Mesozoic, there were intense tectonic reversals, which played a critical role in the formation of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau. These processes led to significant structural changes, such as the transformation of the rift basins into mountain belts.

Overview of the Terrain

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) is located at the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau (青藏高原) and the hill and mountain areas of Hunan (湖南) and Guangxi (广西) provinces. To the north, it borders the Sichuan Basin (四川盆地), while to the south, it is adjacent to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区) and the tropical oceanic region. The terrain of the plateau descends in a step-like pattern from the northwest to the southeast. The Wumeng Mountains (乌蒙山) serve as the dividing line between the Yunnan Plateau and the Guizhou Plateau.

Yunnan Plateau

The general trend of the Yunnan Plateau (云南高原) is that the north is higher, while the south is lower, with a step-like descent from northwest to southeast. The highest elevation is found in the northwest, where the plateau rises to between 3,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level. This area contains several snow-capped mountains, such as Yulong Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山), Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山), and Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山). The highest point in this region is Kagabo Peak (卡格博峰) in Deqin County (德钦县) at the border between Yunnan and Tibet, reaching an elevation of 6,740 meters.

The lowest point in the Yunnan Plateau is at the confluence of the Honghe River (红河) and Nanxi River (南溪河) in the southeast of Yunnan, with an elevation of only 76 meters. The plateau is divided into three major levels:

1. The northwest region, including Deqin (德钦) and Shangri-La (香格里拉), with elevations typically between 3,000 and 4,000 meters, and some peaks exceeding 5,000 meters.

2. The central plateau, with an elevation of 2,300 to 2,600 meters. Here, there are higher mountains reaching 3,000 to 3,500 meters, along with lower basins ranging from 1,700 to 2,000 meters.

3. The southwest, southern, and southeastern edges, where mountains and hills generally range from 1,200 to 1,400 meters, with basins and valleys under 1,000 meters.

The plateau’s mountains and rivers mainly run in a north-south direction, with notable mountain ranges like Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山), Nu Mountains (怒山), and Yunling Mountains (云岭), along with rivers such as the Nujiang River (怒江) and Yuanjiang River (元江).

Guizhou Plateau

The Guizhou Plateau (贵州高原) has a terrain that slopes from west to east and from the center to the south and north. There are four major mountain ranges in the region, which generally run from northeast to southwest. The Wumeng Mountains (乌蒙山) to the northwest, which borders Yunnan, run in a north-south direction, with elevations generally between 2,000 and 2,400 meters.

The highest point in Guizhou is located at Jiaocaiping (韭菜坪) on the border of Hezhang (赫章) and Shuicheng (水城县), with an elevation of 2,900 meters. The Daluo Mountains (大娄山) in the north run northeast to southwest, with elevations between 1,000 and 1,500 meters. The Wuling Mountains (武陵山) in the northeast serve as the watershed between the Wu River (乌江) and Yuan River (沅江). The Miao Mountains (苗岭) in the center divide the Yangtze River (长江) and Pearl River (珠江) drainage systems. The west is connected to the Wumeng Mountains, with elevations of about 1,500 meters in the west, 1,300 meters in the center, and 1,000 meters in the east.

Due to the region’s terrain, the rivers of Guizhou flow in three main directions: east, south, and north, with the Miao Mountains serving as the watershed for the Yangtze and Pearl River systems.

Karst Topography

Introduction to Karst

Karst topography (岩溶地貌), also known as karst landscape, is a landscape formed by the dissolution of soluble bedrock, typically limestone, by water. This process creates distinctive features such as stone peaks, clusters of peaks, caves, and underground rivers. Karst landscapes are characterized by significant surface instability and underground water channels that can lead to soil erosion and the formation of sinkholes.

In areas where karst topography is particularly well-developed, like the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, significant environmental challenges arise, such as soil erosion and land desertification, especially in areas of limestone bedrock. These geological features have made the plateau one of the seven most vulnerable ecological regions in China.

Distribution of Karst Landscapes

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is home to expansive karst mountains, with the most concentrated areas being the regions near Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. The total area of karst landscape in these regions is nearly 170,000 square kilometers, with Guizhou alone accounting for over 70% of the total area. In Yunnan, the karst terrain begins from the Pudu River Valley (普渡河谷) in the north and stretches to the Honghe Valley (红河谷) in the southeast, divided into eastern and western sections.

• The eastern karst region is highly developed, with widespread limestone formations.

• In the western karst region, including areas like Lijiang (丽江) in northwest Yunnan, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), and the southwest regions like Baoshan (保山) and Lincang (临沧), the karst formations are less continuous but still significant, covering over 50% of Yunnan’s total area.

Other regions with karst landscapes include the northwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区), western Hunan (湖南), and southern Sichuan (四川), as well as parts of Southeast Chongqing (重庆) and western Hubei (湖北). These areas feature isolated karst mountains without the large, continuous formations found in the eastern Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau.

Geographic Location and Area

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) is situated in the transition zone from the Tibetan Plateau (青藏高原) to the middle and low latitudes of China, spanning longitude 100°–111° and latitude 22°–30°. It covers a vast area south of the Sichuan Basin (四川盆地) and stretches eastward from Diancang Mountain (点苍山), Lijiang (丽江), and Ailao Mountain (哀牢山) to the western part of Guangxi (广西). This region also includes southwestern Sichuan (四川) and western Guangxi, covering an area of approximately 500,000 square kilometers. To the west, it borders the Tibetan Plateau, and to the north, it is adjacent to the Sichuan Basin, with neighboring provinces including Hunan (湖南) and Hubei (湖北) to the east. To the south, it connects with the Southeast Asian Peninsula (中南半岛), making it a vital corridor for travel between China and Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Dividing the Plateau into Subregions

Yunnan Plateau

The Yunnan Plateau (云南高原) has an average elevation of about 2,000 meters. The plateau surface is mostly intact, except in areas where rivers have carved through the terrain, creating more fragmented landforms. It is characterized by rolling hills and can be divided into two types:

1. Hills with relatively flat surfaces.

2. Fragmented highlands formed by major rivers.

Guizhou Plateau

The Guizhou Plateau (贵州高原) has an average elevation of 1,000 meters. The central region serves as a watershed between the Yangtze River (长江) and Pearl River (珠江) basins. The plateau slopes to the north, east, and south, with the central area being higher than the surrounding regions, which has led to the plateau being called an “upturned basin.”

Administrative Areas

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau spans several administrative regions:

• Yunnan (云南): Mainly southern and eastern regions, including cities like Kunming (昆明), Qujing (曲靖), Yuxi (玉溪), and Zhaotong (昭通).

• Guizhou (贵州): The entire province, with major cities such as Guiyang (贵阳), Zunyi (遵义), and Liupanshui (六盘水).

• Guangxi (广西): The western and northwestern parts, including cities like Baise (百色).

• Sichuan (四川): The southern edge of the Sichuan Basin and southwestern parts, with cities such as Panzhihua (攀枝花) and Xichang (西昌).

• Hunan (湖南): The western part of the Xiangxi (湘西) region, including cities like Zhijiang (芷江).

Climate Features

Climate Type

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau has a subtropical humid climate, with a monsoon influence in most areas, and the region’s climate varies significantly due to differences in elevation and atmospheric circulation patterns. The Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) area has a tropical monsoon climate, while the rest of the plateau experiences more of a subtropical monsoon climate.

The region receives varied amounts of solar radiation, with the western part having higher radiation levels than the eastern part due to its higher altitude. The western regions receive about 5,000 to 6,000 megajoules per square meter of solar radiation, while the eastern regions receive 3,400 to 3,800 megajoules per square meter.

Sunshine Hours

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is one of the areas in China with the least sunshine hours. On average, the region gets around 1,400 sunshine hours per year, with Guangxi (广西) ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 hours and areas in the Sichuan Basin (四川盆地) and Guizhou (贵州) receiving fewer than 1,400 hours annually. The area around Kunming (昆明) receives slightly more sunshine than the rest of the plateau, but in general, the region is known for its low solar radiation.

Temperature

The average annual temperature of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau ranges between 5–24°C. The temperature varies greatly depending on elevation and geographic location, with higher temperatures in the southwest and lower temperatures in the northwest. For example, Guizhou (贵州) experiences lower temperatures due to its relatively low elevation and exposure to cold air masses from the north. On the other hand, Yunnan (云南), especially in the southwest, experiences higher temperatures.

The temperature varies significantly across the plateau:

• Northern regions are colder.

• Southern regions are warmer.

• The winter months are usually cool, but summer temperatures are moderate, without extreme heat.

Precipitation

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is influenced by the southwest monsoon, leading to distinct wet and dry seasons. The region receives significant rainfall during the summer months from May to October, contributing up to 85-95% of the total annual precipitation. Rainfall varies across the plateau:

• The western regions, especially the Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山), receive 3,000–4,000 millimeters of rainfall annually.

• The central and eastern regions receive 500-1,500 millimeters.

• The southern and eastern parts are generally wetter than the northern and western regions.

Despite heavy rains during the wet season, the plateau experiences a long dry season, particularly during the winter months (November to April). The spring drought is particularly severe, especially in the central parts of Guizhou and Yunnan.

Wind and Other Climate Factors

Wind Speed

The central and northwestern regions of the plateau, which have higher elevations, tend to experience stronger winds, with an average annual wind speed of 2.1–3.2 meters per second. In Guizhou, particularly in Anshun (安顺) and Qiannan (黔南), wind speeds are also slightly higher, ranging from 2.1 to 2.6 meters per second. The southern, eastern, and northern parts of the plateau, where elevations are lower, have weaker winds, with average wind speeds of 0.5–1.1 meters per second.

Throughout the year, the wind speed is usually higher in Yunnan (云南) than in Guizhou (贵州). The spring season typically sees the highest winds, while autumn has the calmest winds. The seasonal average wind speeds for the plateau are as follows:

• Spring: 2 meters per second.

• Summer: 1.5 meters per second.

• Autumn: 1.4 meters per second.

• Winter: 1.7 meters per second.

Major Rivers

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) serves as the watershed for six major river systems in China. These include:

• Yangtze River (长江) — via the Jinsha River (金沙江)

• Pearl River (珠江) — via the North and South Panjiang Rivers (南盘江, 北盘江)

• Red River (红河) — via the Yuanjiang River (元江)

• Mekong River (湄公河) — via the Lancang River (澜沧江)

• Salween River (萨尔温江) — via the Nujiang River (怒江)

• Irrawaddy River (伊洛瓦底江) — via the Dulong River (独龙江)

The western and northwestern regions of Guangxi (广西) have the Hongshui River (红水河), Duoniang River (驮娘江), and Leli River (乐里河) as their primary rivers. In the southern part of the Sichuan Basin (四川盆地), the Yalong River (雅砻江) flows from the north to the south.

Jinsha River

The Jinsha River (金沙江) is the upstream section of the Yangtze River. It originates in the Qinghai Province (青海省) and enters the Hengduan Mountains (横断山) before flowing through the northwest of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau. The river reaches the Sichuan Basin at Yibin (宜宾) after passing through Yunnan (云南) and Guizhou (贵州), with a total length of 2,316 kilometers and a drainage area of 340,000 square kilometers.

Pearl River

The Pearl River (珠江) is China’s second-largest river. It originates from the Wumeng Mountain Range (乌蒙山) in Yunnan Province (云南省) and flows through Guizhou (贵州) and Guangxi (广西) before emptying into the South China Sea. The river has an annual runoff of 330 billion cubic meters, ranking it second in China, and it is seven times the runoff volume of the Yellow River (黄河).

Yuanjiang River

The Yuanjiang River (元江) originates in the Ailao Mountain (哀牢山) region of western Yunnan. It is known as Lishe River (礼社江) in its upper reaches and flows southeast to merge with Luozhi River (绿汁江) to form the Yuanjiang. It flows into Vietnam and is referred to as the Red River (红河) in Vietnam.

Lancang River

The Lancang River (澜沧江) is the upper reaches of the Mekong River (湄公河). It originates in Qinghai Province (青海省) and flows through Yunnan Province (云南省), before passing into Laos and Myanmar. The river runs a total length of 4,909 kilometers, with 2,139 kilometers passing through China, where it is also known as Lancang until it exits into Laos.

Nujiang River

The Nujiang River (怒江) is another major river in the southwest of China. It originates from the Tanggula Mountains (唐古拉山) in the Tibetan Plateau (青藏高原) and flows into Myanmar, where it becomes known as the Salween River (萨尔温江), eventually emptying into the Andaman Sea. The total length of the river is 3,240 kilometers, with 2,013 kilometers within China, and a total drainage area of 325,000 square kilometers.

Major Lakes

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is home to several large lakes, most of which are located in the regions surrounding the Jinsha River, South Panjiang River, and Yuanjiang River, as well as the eastern slopes of the Hengduan Mountains. Notable lakes include:

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake (滇池), located in the center of Kunming (昆明), is the sixth largest freshwater lake in China. It is approximately 32 kilometers long from north to south and 7 kilometers wide from east to west. The lake covers an area of about 300 square kilometers, with an elevation of 1,886 meters above sea level. Its total water storage capacity is 1.29 billion cubic meters, and the average depth is 4.4 meters, with the maximum depth reaching 10.3 meters.

Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake (洱海) is situated at the junction of the Yuanjiang River, Jinsha River, and Lancang River watersheds in Dali (大理), Yunnan Province. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and the seventh largest in China.

Caohai Lake

Caohai Lake (草海), also known as Songpo Lake (松坡湖), Nanhaizi (南海子), and Baxian Lake (八仙湖), is located in Weining County (威宁), Guizhou Province. It is the largest karst lake in China and the largest natural lake in Guizhou.

Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) is the third deepest freshwater lake in China, with an average depth greater than 40 meters and a maximum depth of 93.5 meters.

Land Resources

As of 2000, according to the detailed land use survey, the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) has the following land use distribution:

• Arable land: 13.25 million hectares

• Garden land: 235,500 hectares

• Forest land: 33.24 million hectares

• Grassland: 3.69 million hectares

• Residential and industrial land: 1.16 million hectares

• Water areas: 1.04 million hectares

• Unused land: 12.88 million hectares

The land utilization rate is 80.6%, which is 7.9% higher than the national average. In terms of land types, forest land dominates, followed by arable land. The soil types are primarily rice paddy soils, red soils, and yellow soils. Grassland is mainly concentrated in the northeast of Yunnan, the south of Guizhou, and the peripheral areas of the northern and western regions.

Biological Resources

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is one of China’s most biologically diverse regions, featuring a wide range of forest vegetation types, including tropical rainforests, seasonal rainforests, and subtropical forests. As the altitude increases, the plateau also has temperate needle-leaf forests, alpine meadows, and alpine tundra vegetation.

In 2010, the forest coverage rate was 50% in Yunnan and 41% in Guizhou.

Flora

The flora of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is extremely rich. Yunnan Province alone has 426 plant families, 2,597 genera, and 13,278 species, making it the richest in plant species in China, often referred to as the “Kingdom of Plants”. Guizhou has 284 families, 1,543 genera, and 5,593 species, and Guangxi has 280 families, 1,670 genera, and over 6,000 species, also ranking highly in China. The flora of this region is predominantly tropical and subtropical, though the central Yunnan, northern Guizhou, and the Hengduan Mountains (横断山) feature a blend of temperate and tropical species.

In addition to medicinal and economic plants, the plateau is known for its production of valuable timber, such as camphor, highland oak, cedar, pine, cypress, and various bamboo species.

Fauna

The fauna of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is equally diverse. Yunnan has the highest number of wild vertebrate species in China, including 51.1% of China’s mammal species, 63.5% of bird species, 39% of amphibians, and 49% of freshwater fish species. Notable economically valuable species include:

• Elephants, rhinoceros, and deer (for horns and tusks)

• Tigers, leopards, deer, and otters (for fur)

• Wild boars, muntjacs, and bamboo rats (for meat)

• Deer, musk, and bears (for medicinal purposes)

The wetlands of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau support 1,642 species of higher plants, belonging to 495 genera and 172 families, and 742 species of wetland wildlife, which include 432 fish species, 106 amphibians, 63 reptiles, 134 bird species, and 6 mammal species.

Mineral Resources

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is rich in mineral resources, with large deposits of high-quality minerals. By the end of the 20th century, it was reported that more than 80% of China’s phosphate reserves were located in Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, and Guangxi. In addition:

• 82% of bauxite reserves are concentrated in Shaanxi, Henan, Guizhou, and Guangxi.

• Guizhou holds 71% of China’s known mercury reserves.

• Copper reserves in Sichuan and Yunnan account for 14% of the national total.

Yunnan has a particularly high concentration of certain minerals. For example, tin deposits are primarily found in the southeast and west of the province, with major deposits in Gejiu (个旧), a world-class tin mining region. Lead and zinc deposits are located in Lanping County, southeastern Yunnan, and northeastern Yunnan, with 60%, 23%, and 10% of the province’s reserves in these areas. Copper reserves, amounting to 76.5%, are concentrated in the central copper belt of Yunnan, particularly in Dongchuan (东川), with other deposits in Dahongshan and Yimen (易门).

Guizhou’s Mineral Wealth

According to the Guizhou Provincial Land and Resources Department (贵州省国土资源厅) in 2015, Guizhou has discovered 137 types of minerals, accounting for 79.65% of the 172 types found nationwide. Of these, 88 types of minerals have confirmed reserves, which account for 54.32% of the national total, and 54 types rank among the top ten nationwide.

Water Resources

According to the 2015 Water Resources Bulletin for Yunnan Province (云南省水资源公报), the total water volume entering from the Yangtze River (长江) basin into Yunnan is 78.29 billion cubic meters, and from the Pearl River (珠江) basin, it is 3.28 billion cubic meters. The total volume of water leaving the province from the Yangtze River basin is 113.7 billion cubic meters, and from the Pearl River basin, it is 26.72 billion cubic meters.

The total volume of water resources in Guizhou Province (贵州省), according to the 2015 report, is 115.37 billion cubic meters, with 14.92 billion cubic meters entering and 125.41 billion cubic meters leaving the province. Of the 7,743.8 kilometers of rivers evaluated, 81.4% met the national Class II and III water quality standards.

Hydropower Resources

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is rich in hydropower resources, making it a crucial region for China’s south-to-north electricity transmission project. According to statistics from the China Hydropower Engineering Society (中国水力发电工程学会) in 2009, the region has 8,488.6 billion kilowatt-hours of hydropower potential, accounting for 14.3% of the national total, with 2,098.68 billion kilowatt-hours of developed hydropower, or 10.9% of the national total.

Major Hydroelectric Plants

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is home to several large hydropower stations:

• Xiluodu Hydroelectric Station (溪洛渡水电站) — Located on the lower Jinsha River (金沙江), with an installed capacity of 13.86 million kilowatts and an annual power generation of 57.12 billion kWh.

• Xiangjiaba Hydroelectric Station (向家坝水电站) — Located on the lower Jinsha River, with an installed capacity of 7.75 million kilowatts and an annual power generation of 30.75 billion kWh.

• Wudongde Hydroelectric Station (乌东德水电站) — Located on the lower Jinsha River, with an installed capacity of 10.2 million kilowatts.

• Baihetan Hydroelectric Station (白鹤滩水电站) — Located on the main Jinsha River, with an installed capacity of 16 million kilowatts and an annual power generation of 64.095 billion kWh.

• Longtan Hydroelectric Station (龙滩水电站) — Located on the upper Hongshui River (红水河), with an installed capacity of 6.3 million kilowatts and an annual power generation of 18.7 billion kWh.

Southwest Yi Culture

The term “Southwest Yi” refers to the ancient ethnic groups that lived in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and western Sichuan, including cultures such as the Dian Culture (滇文化), Bronze Culture (青铜文化), Kunming Culture (昆明文化), Ancient Qiang Culture (古羌人文化), and Yelang Culture (夜郎文化).

Dian Culture

The Dian Culture refers to a highly developed bronze culture that flourished from the late Warring States period to the end of the Western Han Dynasty. Centered around Dianchi Lake (滇池), its influence spread east to Qujing, west to Lufeng, north to Yidongchuan, and south to Tonghai and Huaning. The Dian Culture is renowned for its exquisite and uniquely shaped bronze artifacts, which are characterized by detailed and rich decorations. These items also have strong realism and high artistic value, earning the culture the name Dian Bronze Culture.

Yelang Culture

The Yelang Culture is an important component of southwestern ethnic culture, and it can be divided into three major time periods: Pre-Yelang, Yelang Kingdom, and Post-Yelang. The kingdom of Yelang was centered in Guizhou, with a vast territory that included regions of Zunyi, Tongzi, Chishui in northern Guizhou, western and northern Yunnan, and northwestern Guangxi. The Yelang culture is closely associated with a mysterious legend of a kingdom that never left significant archaeological traces, making it both fascinating and enigmatic.

Ethnic Customs

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is home to over 30 different ethnic minorities, making it one of China’s most ethnically diverse regions. It is a prominent area for the Southern Four Major Ethnic Groups, including the Di-Qiang (氐羌), Baiyue (百越), Miao-Yao (苗瑶), and Pu (濮) people. These groups are densely distributed across the region, alongside Han Chinese immigrants, who make up around two-thirds of the population in both Yunnan and Guizhou, while the minority groups account for about one-third of the total population.

Over the centuries, these ethnic groups have maintained their cultural traditions, making the region rich in unique cultural practices and traditions that are still alive today. Their cultures offer distinct practices and customs, which differ from the inland areas and the western regions of China.

Language and Writing Systems

In Yunnan, besides the Hui, Sui, and Manchu peoples, who use Mandarin Chinese, 22 other ethnic minorities speak 26 languages, and 14 of these groups use 22 different writing systems. The languages of the Guizhou Plateau belong to the Sino-Tibetan language family, which includes the Tibeto-Burman, Hmong-Mien, Zhuang-Dong, and Kra-Dai language families.

Within these languages, there are significant variations in pronunciation and vocabulary, leading to multiple dialects and local variations. For instance, the Miao language has three major dialect groups (Eastern, Central, and Western), while the Yao language has three dialects (Yumian, Doumu, and Bahei). Other languages, such as Buyei and Dong, also feature dialectical differences.

Ethnic Clothing

The Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau is home to a wide range of ethnic groups, which results in a rich diversity of traditional clothing. Each ethnic group has its own distinctive style of dress, which varies between subgroups. For example, the Miao people in Guizhou wear different types of clothing based on their specific subgroup, such as Black Miao, Flower Miao, Green Miao, Red Miao, and Purple Ginger Miao. Similarly, the Yi people in Yunnan have different styles of dress depending on the region, such as Honghe-type, Southeast Yunnan-type, and Chuxiong-type, all of which differ from the clothing of the Yi people in Sichuan’s Liangshan.

The clothes worn by these ethnic groups often have deep cultural significance and are intertwined with traditional songs and legends. In many cases, clothing and accessories feature patterns that tell stories from mythology and are used during ceremonies and rituals.

Types of Ethnic Clothing

• Sheepskin-Wearing Ethnic Groups: In the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, many ethnic groups, such as the Yi, Hani, Lisu, and Laku (拉枯族), have inherited the ancient custom of wearing sheepskin or woolen garments, a tradition passed down from their Qiang (羌) ancestors.

• Tube Skirt Ethnic Groups: Wearing tube skirts is a distinctive feature of the Baiyue ethnic groups. While the Buyei and Sui people of Guizhou belong to the Baiyue but do not wear tube skirts, the Biao, Wa, and Blang people of Yunnan’s subtropical regions do.

• Batik Clothing Ethnic Groups: Among the various ethnic groups in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, batik clothing is a prominent style, especially among the Miao, Buyei, and Yao people. These batik garments are highly valued for their ethnic and regional characteristics, representing the cultural heritage of these communities.

Tourist Attractions in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau

Stone Forest Scenic Area (石林风景区)

The Stone Forest Scenic Area, located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan, is situated 100 kilometers from Kunming. The area consists of seven scenic sections: Big Stone Forest, Small Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dajie Water, Chang Lake, Moon Lake, Zhiyun Cave, and Qifeng Cave. The Stone Forest is known not only for its rich collection of ancient vertebrate fossils, earning it a place as a fossil protection zone, but also as one of the richest sites for Paleolithic and Neolithic relics in Yunnan, dating back 800,000 years. In 2004, the Stone Forest was designated as one of the first World Geoparks by UNESCO, and in 2007, it was successfully listed as a World Natural Heritage site.

Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布)

The Huangguoshu Waterfall, also known as the Baishuihe Waterfall, and sometimes referred to as the Huangge Shu or Huangzhuo Shu Waterfall, is located in Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County, Anshun, Guizhou. It is the largest waterfall in the Huangguoshu Waterfall Group and is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Known for its impressive water flow, the waterfall is 77.8 meters tall, with the main waterfall measuring 67 meters in height and 101 meters in width. The width of the main waterfall reaches 83.3 meters. This waterfall is a typical example of an erosion fissure waterfall found in karst landscapes.

Jiulong Waterfall Group (九龙瀑布群)

The Jiulong Waterfall Group, located 22 kilometers north of Luoping County, Yunnan, is a National 4A-level Scenic Area. It features a series of ten waterfalls that vary in height, width, and shape, created over centuries by unique geological formations and water erosion. The largest waterfall in the group measures 112 meters in width and 56 meters in height. The area hosts cultural events such as the Buyei ethnic group’s Duige Festival and the Water Splashing Festival which take place on the second day of the second month and the third day of the third month in the lunar calendar.

Jiuxiang Scenic Area (九乡风景区)

The Jiuxiang Scenic Area, located in Yiliang County, Kunming, Yunnan, is a National Scenic Area and a National 4A-level Tourist Zone. The area is 86 kilometers from Kunming city and features over a hundred caves of various sizes. These caves form one of the largest and most abundant cave systems in China. The total area of the scenic zone is 167.1 square kilometers.

Longgong Scenic Area (龙宫风景区)

The Longgong Scenic Area, located in Anshun, Guizhou, is situated 116 kilometers from the provincial capital, Guiyang. It covers an area of 60 square kilometers and is divided into four main sections: Center, Xuantang, Oilseed Lake, and Xianrenjing. In 1988, the area was designated as a National Scenic Area and in 2007, it received the National 5A Tourist Area designation. The area is famous for its karst landscape, crystal-clear lakes, and rich cultural heritage.

Baili Azalea Scenic Area (百里杜鹃景区)

The Baili Azalea Scenic Area, located in the northwest of Guizhou, near the central part of Bijie City, covers over 600 square kilometers and is home to the world’s largest natural rhododendron garden. This National 5A-level Tourist Area is also a National Ecotourism Demonstration Zone and the only Rhododendron National Forest Park in the world. The area features a 125.8 square kilometers stretch of the largest original rhododendron forest, where over 60 species of azaleas are found, representing all five subgroups of rhododendron species globally. The area is often referred to as the “most beautiful colorful ribbon in the world.”