Geographical Distribution of Bulang Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

The Blang ethnic group is primarily found in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and Lincang City in Yunnan. Known for its rich cultural traditions, the Blang people predominantly reside in areas like Menghai County (勐海县), Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县), and Lancang County (澜沧县).

The Blang people have a significant presence in Blangshan Blang Ethnic Township (布朗山布朗族乡), the only single-ethnic township dedicated to their community. Their lifestyle is deeply rooted in tea cultivation, with traditional villages like Wengji Ancient Village (翁基古寨) and Mangjing Village (芒景村), famous for their well-preserved Ganlan-style architecture and thousand-year-old tea gardens.

The Blang people celebrate unique festivals, such as the Gangyong Festival (冈永节), a traditional Rat Festival, and other ethnic festivals in their villages, offering visitors a chance to experience their vibrant customs and practices. The Blang’s history and culture continue to thrive in the autonomous counties and towns across the region.

Distribution, Autonomous Regions, and Featured Villages of the Blang Ethnic Group in Yunnan

1. Core Distribution Areas and Population Statistics

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

Menghai County (勐海县)

Core Blang Settlement Area: The Blang ethnic group accounts for over 90% of the Blang population in the entire prefecture.

Blangshan Blang Ethnic Township (布朗山布朗族乡): The only Blang ethnic township in China, with a registered population of 22,000, where 65% are Blang people.

Mixed Ethnic Townships:

• Xiding Hani and Blang Ethnic Township (西定哈尼族布朗族乡): A core area for tea cultivation, with a mix of Hani (哈尼族) and Blang (布朗族) ethnic groups.

• Bada Blang and Hani Ethnic Township (巴达布朗族哈尼族乡): A hub for cross-border trade, predominantly Blang (布朗族) with a minority of Hani (哈尼族) people.

Total Population of the Blang Ethnic Group in the Prefecture: 53,000 (5.2% of the total population)

Lincang City (临沧市)

Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县)

Blang Population: 15,100 (9.6% of the total population in the county, 2024)

Key Blang Settlement Area: Bangbing Township (邦丙乡), where 41% of the population are Blang (布朗族) people, preserving traditional textile techniques.

Baoshan City (保山市)

Shidian County (施甸县)

Blang Population: 9,614 (Blang and Yi (彝族) ethnic groups combined, 2025)

Key Features: Industrial support has covered 90% of households.

2. Autonomous Administrative System

Type: Autonomous County

Name: Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县)

Location: Lincang City (临沧市)

Ethnic Characteristics: The only county in China where four ethnic groups live in a joint autonomous system.

Type: Single-Ethnic Township

Name: Blangshan Blang Ethnic Township (布朗山布朗族乡)

Location: Menghai County (勐海县)

Ethnic Composition: 22,000 registered residents, 65% Blang (布朗族) people.

Type: Mixed-Ethnic Township

Name: Maolan Yi and Blang Ethnic Township (茂兰彝族布朗族乡)

Location: Yun County (云县)

Ethnic Composition: Yi (彝族) and Blang (布朗族) people (3:2 ratio).

3. National-Level Featured Villages

Traditional Villages Listed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs

Mangjing Village (芒景村), Lancang County (澜沧县)

• Included in the second batch of China’s traditional villages in 2013.

• Includes six Blang (布朗族) ethnic villages such as Wengji (翁基) and Manghong (芒洪).

• Features well-preserved traditional Ganlan-style architecture with roofs decorated with tea culture symbols “one bud, two leaves.”

Zhanglang Village (章朗村), Menghai County (勐海县)

• A pure Blang (布朗族) village with a millennium-old tea garden and the Blang (布朗族) Ethnic Ecological Museum.

Ethnic Festival Villages

Gangyong Festival (冈永节) (Rat Festival)

• Location: Blangshan Township (布朗山乡), Menghai County (勐海县)

• Activities: Rat catching, processions, and firepit prayers for blessings.

Other Featured Villages

Wengji Ancient Village (翁基古寨)

• A 1,000-year-old tea farming village with 95% of its Ganlan-style architecture preserved.

• Recognized as one of China’s “Ethnic Minority Featured Villages.”

• Experience: Tea roasting on firepits and ancient tea tree picking.

Mengang Village (勐昂村)

• Located in Blangshan Township (布朗山乡), famous for its intangible cultural heritage of folk songs.

4. Data Overview