Geographical Distribution of Dai Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

The Dai ethnic group is predominantly located in Yunnan Province (云南省), particularly in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州) and Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州). These regions have the largest concentrations of Dai people, with significant populations also found in other areas of Yunnan.

Population Distribution

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)

  • Total Population: 1.336 million (permanent residents, 2025)

  • Dai Population: 333,900 (32.6% of registered population)

  • Key Areas:

    • Jinghong City (景洪市): 143,700 (32.5% of registered population)

    • Menghai County (勐海县): Over 88% ethnic minorities (including Dai)

    • Mengla County (勐腊县): 310,100 permanent residents

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)

  • Total Population: 1.337 million (permanent residents, 2025)

  • Dai Population:

    • Mangshi City (芒市): 141,200 (30.4% of permanent population)

    • Ruili City (瑞丽市): 57,600 (25% of permanent population)

    • Yingjiang County (盈江县): 102,000 (33.1% of permanent population)

  • Overall Dai Population: Approximately 27.28% in Dehong

Other Key Dai Populated Areas

  • Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县): 55.79% ethnic minorities

  • Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县): 86.4% ethnic minorities

  • Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县): About 30% Dai

  • Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县): 66.4% Dai and Yi

  • Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县): 12% Dai

Dai Autonomous Prefectures in Yunnan

Yunnan Province has two main Dai Autonomous Prefectures:

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)

  • Administrative Divisions: Jinghong City (景洪市), Menghai County (勐海县), Mengla County (勐腊县)

  • Features: Located in the heart of China’s tropical rainforests, known for its Asian elephant habitat (亚洲象栖息地) and being a major hub for Dai culture.

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)

  • Administrative Divisions: Mangshi City (芒市), Ruili City (瑞丽市), Longchuan County (陇川县), Yingjiang County (盈江县), Lianghe County (梁河县)

  • Features: A crucial trade hub along the China-Myanmar border (中缅边境), Ruili Port (瑞丽口岸) is one of the busiest border crossings in China.

Dai Population Data Summary and Comparison

Region Total Population (2025) Dai Population Percentage Core Settlement Areas
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州) 1.336 million (permanent) 32.6% (registered) Jinghong City (景洪市), Mengla County (勐腊县)
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州) 1.337 million (permanent) 30.4% (Mangshi) Mangshi City (芒市), Ruili City (瑞丽市)
Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县) 277,900 Undetermined (55.79% ethnic minorities) Lincang City (临沧市)
Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县) 139,300 Undetermined (86.4% ethnic minorities) Pu’er City (普洱市)
Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县) 267,200 ~30% Dai Pu’er City (普洱市)

Notes:

  • Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) has the highest concentration of Dai people, particularly in Jinghong City (景洪市) (32.5%) and Menghai County (勐海县).

  • Dehong Prefecture (德宏州) features a significant presence of both Dai and Jingpo (景颇) people.

  • The Dai population in other counties like Menglian (孟连) and Jinggu (景谷) is typically part of a broader ethnic minority mix.

Dai Ethnic Minority: Key Dai Settlements in Yunnan

1. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)

  • Jinghong City (景洪市): Menghan Township (勐罕镇), Menglun Township (勐龙镇), Gasa Township (嘎洒镇)

  • Menghai County (勐海县): Daluo Township (打洛镇), Menghun Township (勐混镇), Xiding Township (西定乡)

  • Mengla County (勐腊县): Menglun Township (勐仑镇), Mengban Township (勐伴镇), Mohan Township (磨憨镇)

2. Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州)

  • Mangshi City (芒市): Zhefang Township (遮放镇), Mengjia Township (勐戛镇), Manghai Township (芒海镇)

  • Ruili City (瑞丽市): Nongdao Township (弄岛镇), Mengmao Township (勐卯镇), Jiexiang Township (姐相镇)

  • Yingjiang County (盈江县): Taiping Township (太平镇), Nongzhang Township (弄璋镇), Xima Township (昔马镇)

  • Longchuan County (陇川县): Zhangfeng Township (章凤镇), Longba Township (陇把镇)

  • Lianghe County (梁河县): Jiubao Township (九保乡)

3. Other Areas

  • Gengma County, Lincang City (临沧市): Mengding Township (孟定镇)

  • Menglian County, Pu’er City (普洱市): Nayun Township (娜允镇)

  • Jiangcheng County, Pu’er City (普洱市): Zhengdong Township (整董镇)

Summary and Features of Dai Townships and Settlements

  • Xishuangbanna Prefecture (西双版纳州) and Dehong Prefecture (德宏州) are home to the highest concentrations of Dai settlements, with key towns like Jinghong City (景洪市), Menghai County (勐海县), and Mangshi City (芒市).

  • Dai Townships (傣族乡镇) are also found in non-traditional Dai areas like Pu’er (普洱) and Lincang (临沧), often in multi-ethnic communities.

  • Border Areas: Many Dai communities are located within 50 km of the China-Myanmar (中缅) and China-Laos (中老) borders, underscoring their historical and cultural connections with neighboring countries.

The Dai culture remains rich in traditions, with major celebrations like the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节) and the Bull King Festival (牛王节), alongside their unique architecture, festivals, and agricultural practices.

List of Dai Autonomous Counties and Dai Ethnic Townships in Yunnan

Dai Autonomous Counties

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)

  • Menghai County (勐海县): One of the core settlement areas of the Dai people, known for being the origin of Pu’er Tea (普洱茶).

  • Mengla County (勐腊县): An important border port between China and Laos (中老边境), also a Tropical Rainforest Protection Zone (热带雨林保护区).

Other Dai Autonomous Counties

Autonomous County Name Affiliated Prefecture Remarks
Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县) Yuxi City (玉溪市) Located in the heart of Ailao Mountain (哀牢山), representing Huayao Dai culture (花腰傣文化).
Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县) Yuxi City (玉溪市) Agricultural core zone in the Honghe Valley (红河谷热区).
Jinping Miao, Yao and Dai Autonomous County (金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县) Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州) Border area with Vietnam (越南), home to Terraced Field Culture (梯田文化).
Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县) Lincang City (临沧市) Located along the Nanting River (南汀河), a transboundary ethnic settlement area.
Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县) Lincang City (临沧市) A multicultural area with four ethnic groups living together.
Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县) Pu’er City (普洱市) Located in the Nayun Ancient Town (娜允古镇) on the China-Myanmar Border (中缅边境).
Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县) Pu’er City (普洱市) Located along the Weiyuan River (威远江) and a South Asian Buddhist Culture Area (南传佛教文化区).

List of Dai Ethnic Townships (Sorted by Prefecture)

Xishuangbanna Prefecture (西双版纳州)

City Township Name (Dai) Remarks
Jinghong City (景洪市) Menghan Township (勐罕镇) Olive Plain Dai Garden (橄榄坝傣族园).
Gasa Township (嘎洒镇)
Menglong Township (勐龙镇) Famous for National Intangible Heritage Slow Wheel Pottery (国家级非遗慢轮制陶).
Menghai County (勐海县) Daluo Township (打洛镇) A key China-Myanmar Border Port (中缅边境口岸).
Mengzhe Township (勐遮镇) Known as the Core Grain Storage Area in Southern Yunnan (滇南粮仓核心区).
Mengla County (勐腊县) Mengpeng Township (勐捧镇)
Mengman Township (勐满镇) An important China-Laos Border Trade Area (中老边境贸易区).

Dehong Prefecture (德宏州)

City Township Name (Dai) Remarks
Mangshi (芒市) Fengping Township (风平镇) Located in the Main Production Area of Mangshi Basin (芒市坝区主产区).
Yingjiang County (盈江县) Nongzhang Township (弄璋镇) A Traditional Village in the Dayingjiang River Basin (大盈江流域传统村落).
Longchuan County (陇川县) Zhangfeng Township (章凤镇) A China-Myanmar Border Port (中缅边境口岸).

Lincang City (临沧市)

City Township Name (Dai) Remarks
Gengma County (耿马县) Mengding Township (孟定镇) A National Border Economic Cooperation Zone (国家级边境经济合作区).
Yongde County (永德县) Daxueshan Yi, Lahu, Dai Ethnic Township (大雪山彝族拉祜族傣族乡) Located in the Nanting River Gorge Settlement Area (南汀河峡谷聚居区).
Yun County (云县) Lishu Yi, Dai Ethnic Township (栗树彝族傣族乡) A Traditional Village Along the Lancang River (澜沧江沿岸传统村落).

Pu’er City (普洱市)

City Township Name (Dai) Remarks
Simao District (思茅区) Longtan Yi, Dai Ethnic Township (龙潭彝族傣族乡) Located along the tributaries of the Lancang River (澜沧江).
Menglian County (孟连县) Nayun Township (娜允镇) Known for being China’s Best-Preserved Dai Ancient Town (中国现存最完好的傣族古镇).
Jiangcheng County (江城县) Zhengdong Township (整董镇) Known as the Mengsanglo Dai Culture Town (勐桑洛傣族文化小镇).

Additional Notes

Special Features of Dai Autonomous Prefectures:

  • Xishuangbanna Prefecture (西双版纳州) and Dehong Prefecture (德宏州) are Dai-majority autonomous regions and do not have separate Dai Autonomous Counties (傣族自治县) for their constituent counties.

Ethnic Township Distribution:

  • Many Dai Ethnic Townships are located in non-traditional Dai areas such as Lincang (临沧), Pu’er (普洱), and other areas.

Border Characteristics:

  • Approximately 60% of the Dai ethnic townships are located within 50 kilometers of the China-Myanmar (中缅) and China-Laos (中老) borders.