Geographical Distribution of Zhuang Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

Zhuang ethnic minority is one of the largest in China, with a significant presence in Yunnan Province, particularly in the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州). As of 2025, approximately 1.14 million Zhuang people reside in Yunnan, making up 33.8% of the population in Wenshan and 7.7% of the province’s total ethnic minorities.

Key Areas of Distribution:

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州): This region is the heart of the Zhuang population in Yunnan, with key towns like Guangnan County (广南县) and Funing County (富宁县). Notable villages include Xia Zhe Pian Village (下者偏村) and Lao Jie San Zhai Village (老街三寨村).

Qujing City (曲靖市): Home to the Wu Long Zhuang Ethnic Township (五龙壮族乡), with a population of around 37,300 Zhuang people.

Other Areas: Smaller Zhuang communities can be found in Yuxi (玉溪市) and Baoshan (保山市).

The Zhuang in Yunnan maintain rich cultural traditions, including folk songs like Po Ya Love Songs (坡芽情歌), festivals such as the Women’s Sun Festival (上果村) and the Horse Racing Festival (八宝镇), and traditional agricultural practices, which continue to thrive in these communities.

Core Distribution Area and Population Statistics

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州)

The Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is one of the main regions where the Zhuang people reside in Yunnan. The following areas are notable:

Guangnan County (广南县):

• Zhe Tu Township (者兔乡): Xia Zhe Pian Village (下者偏村), where the Zhuang population is 100%.

• Ba Bao Town (八宝镇): Known as the site of the Horse Racing Festival.

Funing County (富宁县):

• Gui Chao Town (归朝镇): Lao Jie San Zhai Village (老街三寨村), which is recognized as a Chinese ethnic minority cultural village.

Xichou County (西畴县):

• Xi Sa Town (西洒镇): Shang Guo Village (上果村), the origin of the Women’s Sun Festival.

Zhuang Population: Approximately 1.14 million (2025), making up 33.8% of the population in the Wenshan Prefecture.

Qujing City (曲靖市)

Shizong County (师宗县):

• Wu Long Zhuang Ethnic Township (五龙壮族乡): Home to a Zhuang population of 37,300.

• Longqing Yi-Zhuang Ethnic Township (龙庆彝族壮族乡): A multi-ethnic area.

Other Areas in Yunnan

Yuxi City (玉溪市):

• Eshan County (峨山县): Ta Dian Town (塔甸镇), a multi-ethnic area with Zhuang people among others. Zhuang population is smaller and scattered.

Baoshan City (保山市):

• Longyang District (隆阳区): Lujiang Town (潞江镇), where the Zhuang population is small, under 0.5%.

Provincial Data

Total Zhuang Population in Yunnan: 1.21 million (2020 census), making up 7.7% of the province’s ethnic minorities.

Zhuang Population in Wenshan Prefecture: 94.2% of the total Zhuang population in Yunnan.

Autonomous Administrative System and Ethnic Townships

Autonomous Prefecture

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州): Located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province, with Zhuang people making up 33.8% of the population. The region includes 8 counties and cities.

Ethnic Townships

Wu Long Zhuang Ethnic Township (五龙壮族乡): Located in Shizong County, Qujing City, where Zhuang people account for over 95% of the population.

Ethnic Cultural Villages

Bamei Zhuang Ethnic Village (坝美壮族风情村): Located in Guangnan County (广南县), this village is known for its traditional structure amidst Karst landforms.

Notable Villages and Towns

Traditional Villages Recognized by the Ministry of Civil Affairs

Xia Zhe Pian Village (下者偏村) (Zhe Tu Township, Guangnan County): Listed in 2016, this village is famous for its 90% preservation of traditional dry-column houses.

Ma Bi Village (马碧村) (Zhe Tu Township, Guangnan County): A thousand-year-old Zhuang village located along the ancient Qing Dynasty postal route, featuring hanging houses built along the water.

Ethnic Minority Featured Villages

Lao Jie San Zhai Village (老街三寨村) (Gui Chao Town, Funing County): A designated National Ethnic Minority Cultural Village in 2017, known for its traditional farming tools exhibition.

Bamei Village (坝美村) (Ba Bao Town, Guangnan County): A scenic “hidden paradise” formed by caves and the Tuo Niang River.

Festival Cultural Villages

Shang Guo Village (上果村) (Xi Sa Town, Xichou County): Known for the Women’s Sun Festival (held on the first day of the second lunar month), which is a female-led sun worship ritual.

Ba Bao Town, 13 Villages (八宝镇13村寨) (Guangnan County): Hosts the Horse Racing Festival (held on the first street day of the first lunar month), featuring horse racing and trade markets.

Zhuang Cultural and Geographical Symbols

Cultural Symbols

Po Ya Love Songs (坡芽情歌) (Funing County): A collection of 81 pictographic symbols used in Zhuang love songs, recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Bird Clothing Culture (鸟衣文化) (Xichou County): Traditional clothing adorned with bird totems from the Puno branch of the Zhuang people, originating from the Luoyue tribe.

Rice Farming Culture

• “Na” Culture (那文化) (Shizong County): A rice farming system centered around the Zhuang language term for “rice field”.

Notes:

Data sourced from government publications (2020-2025), the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ traditional village list, and intangible cultural heritage preservation materials.

Population data follows the 2020 census for some regions.