Located in the southwest of Yunnan Province (云南省) and administered by Lincang City (临沧市), Shuangjiang Lahu Wa Blang Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县) is a unique ethnic autonomous county in China jointly established by the Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai ethnic groups (拉祜族、佤族、布朗族、傣族).
Covering an area of approximately 2,157 square kilometers, Shuangjiang County (双江县) is home to 23 ethnic groups, with ethnic minority communities accounting for a significant proportion of the population. The county is internationally known as the birthplace of Bingdao Tea (冰岛茶) and is an important ecological tea-producing area with extensive ancient tea forests and modern tea plantations.
The administrative areas of Shuangjiang are closely connected with its tourism resources. Different towns and villages have developed distinctive tourism themes, including tea culture, ethnic village experiences, ecological landscapes, agricultural tourism, and intangible cultural heritage.
Administrative Division Overview of Shuangjiang County
Shuangjiang Lahu Wa Blang Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县) currently includes 4 townships, 2 towns, and 2 agricultural management areas.
The county’s administrative structure reflects the geographical and cultural diversity of the region. The central areas focus on public services and urban culture, while mountain areas preserve ancient tea traditions, ethnic villages, and ecological landscapes.
The main administrative areas include:
- Mengmeng Town (勐勐镇): The former county administrative center and the current political, cultural, and economic core of Shuangjiang. It is an important gateway for visitors to experience local urban life, ethnic culture, and public cultural facilities.
- Mengku Town (勐库镇): The most famous tea culture destination in Shuangjiang and one of the key tea regions in Yunnan. It is home to Bingdao Old Village (冰岛老寨), the birthplace of Bingdao Ancient Tree Tea (冰岛古树茶), attracting tea lovers, researchers, and cultural travelers from around the world.
- Shahe Township (沙河乡): A representative area for rural tourism development. Villages such as Yunfeng Village (允俸村), including Jingkang Village (景亢村) and Najing Village (那京村), combine Dai culture, agricultural experiences, handicrafts, and countryside tourism.
- Dawen Township (大文乡): An important area for Blang ethnic culture (布朗族文化) and traditional craftsmanship. Villages such as Daliangzi Village (大梁子村) preserve traditional Blang handicrafts and cultural practices.
- Bangbing Township (邦丙乡): A major heritage area for ethnic traditional skills. It is known for the Blang Triple Quilt Making Technique (布朗族牛肚被制作技艺), an important local intangible cultural heritage.
- Mangnuo Township (忙糯乡): Known for historical and cultural resources such as Mangnuo Stone Inscriptions (忙糯石刻群) and traditional ethnic landscapes.
- Shuangjiang Farm (双江农场): Focuses on agricultural tourism, ecological landscapes, and leisure experiences such as lotus viewing and countryside recreation.
- Mengku Overseas Chinese Farm Management Area (勐库华侨管理区 / 勐库华侨农场): Known for agricultural development, ecological improvement projects, and green rural landscapes.
Administrative Areas and Tourism Resources of Shuangjiang County
| Administrative Area |
Tourism Resources and Cultural Features |
| Mengmeng Town (勐勐镇) |
The county’s cultural and service center, offering urban tourism, ethnic cultural experiences, traditional markets, and access to surrounding attractions. |
| Mengku Town (勐库镇) |
The core tea culture tourism area, featuring Bingdao Old Village (冰岛老寨), ancient tea gardens, tea production experiences, and mountain landscapes. |
| Shahe Township (沙河乡) |
A rural tourism destination featuring Jingkang Dai Ethnic Village (景亢傣族风情村), Najing Village (那京村), agricultural experiences, ethnic festivals, and handicraft activities. |
| Dawen Township (大文乡) |
A center of Blang ethnic culture (布朗族文化), preserving traditional crafts, ethnic customs, and historical villages. |
| Bangbing Township (邦丙乡) |
An important intangible cultural heritage area, known for traditional textile skills and ethnic cultural preservation. |
| Mangnuo Township (忙糯乡) |
Features historical sites such as Mangnuo Stone Inscriptions (忙糯石刻群) and traditional village landscapes. |
| Shuangjiang Farm (双江农场) |
Agricultural tourism area with ecological scenery, lotus landscapes, leisure farming, and seasonal sightseeing. |
| Mengku Overseas Chinese Farm Management Area (勐库华侨管理区) |
Known for ecological agriculture, rural development projects, and green environmental landscapes. |
Complete Administrative Division Table of Shuangjiang County
| County / Township Level |
Chinese Name |
English Name |
Main Tourism Features |
| Autonomous County |
双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县 |
Shuangjiang Lahu Wa Blang Dai Autonomous County |
Ethnic culture, tea tourism, ecological landscapes |
| Town |
勐勐镇 |
Mengmeng Town |
County cultural center, ethnic life experience, urban tourism |
| Town |
勐库镇 |
Mengku Town |
Bingdao Tea origin, ancient tea mountains, tea culture tourism |
| Township |
沙河乡 |
Shahe Township |
Dai villages, rural tourism, agricultural experiences |
| Township |
大文乡 |
Dawen Township |
Blang culture, traditional crafts, ethnic villages |
| Township |
邦丙乡 |
Bangbing Township |
Intangible cultural heritage, traditional textile culture |
| Township |
忙糯乡 |
Mangnuo Township |
Historical sites, stone inscriptions, ethnic landscapes |
| Agricultural Area |
双江农场 |
Shuangjiang Farm |
Ecological agriculture, leisure tourism, lotus landscapes |
| Overseas Chinese Farm Management Area |
勐库华侨管理区 / 勐库华侨农场 |
Mengku Overseas Chinese Farm Management Area |
Ecological agriculture, rural scenery, green development |
Tourism Characteristics of Different Administrative Areas
The tourism resources of Shuangjiang County (双江县) show a clear regional pattern. Mengku Town (勐库镇) represents the county’s world-famous tea culture, where visitors can explore ancient tea villages and experience the traditions behind Bingdao Tea (冰岛茶).
Shahe Township (沙河乡) focuses on ethnic village tourism and countryside experiences. The combination of Dai culture, agricultural landscapes, traditional crafts, and village hospitality makes it one of the most accessible areas for cultural travelers.
The western and mountainous areas, including Dawen Township (大文乡) and Bangbing Township (邦丙乡), preserve deeper ethnic traditions. These areas are especially valuable for travelers interested in intangible cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and authentic village culture.
Meanwhile, Mangnuo Township (忙糯乡) and agricultural areas such as Shuangjiang Farm (双江农场) provide additional experiences through historical sites, ecological landscapes, and rural leisure tourism.
Cultural Tourism Value of Shuangjiang Administrative Areas
The administrative divisions of Shuangjiang Lahu Wa Blang Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县) are not only geographic units but also represent different cultural landscapes.
From the tea mountains of Mengku Town (勐库镇) to the Dai villages of Shahe Township (沙河乡), the Blang traditions of Dawen Township (大文乡), and the ecological scenery of agricultural areas, each region contributes to the county’s diverse tourism identity.
For travelers exploring Yunnan, Shuangjiang offers a combination of tea culture tourism, ethnic village experiences, ecological exploration, and traditional heritage discovery, making it a distinctive destination in western Yunnan.