Distribution of Dai Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

Dai Ethnic Minority: Distribution and Population Statistics (Latest Data for 2025)

1. Key Areas of Dai Population Distribution and Overview

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

  • Total Population: 1.336 million (permanent residents, 2025), 1.0277 million (registered population)

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

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

  • Menghai County: Ethnic minorities make up 88.48% of the population (including Dai people)

  • Mengla County: 310,100 permanent residents (percentage of Dai people not specified)

  • Ethnic Composition: The Dai are the majority, coexisting with other ethnic groups such as the Hani (哈尼), Blang (布朗), and 13 other indigenous ethnicities.

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: 141,200 (30.4% of permanent population)

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

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

    • Overall Dai Population in the Prefecture: Approximately 27.28%, with the Jingpo (景颇) making up 10.38%.

Other Key Dai Populated Areas

  • Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (Gengma County, Lincang City, 临沧市): Ethnic minorities make up 55.79% of the population.

  • Menglian Dai, Lahu, and Wa Autonomous County (Menglian County, Pu’er City, 普洱市): Ethnic minorities account for 86.4%.

  • Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (Jinggu County, Pu’er City, 普洱市): Dai people make up about 30% of the population.

  • Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (Xinping County, Yuxi City, 玉溪市): Dai and Yi people together account for 66.4%.

  • Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (Yuanjiang County, Yuxi City, 玉溪市): Dai people make up 12%.

2. List of Dai Autonomous Prefectures in Yunnan

Yunnan Province has two Dai Autonomous Prefectures, where the Dai people share autonomous governance with other ethnic groups:

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

  • Administrative Divisions: Jinghong City, Menghai County, Mengla County

  • Features: Located in the heart of China’s tropical rainforests, home to the Asian elephant habitat.

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

  • Administrative Divisions: Mangshi City, Ruili City, Longchuan County, Yingjiang County, Lianghe County

  • Features: A key trade hub along the China-Myanmar border, with one of the highest traffic volumes at the Ruili Port in China.

3. Data Summary and Comparison

Region Total Population (2025) Dai Population Percentage Core Settlement Areas
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture 1.336 million (permanent) 32.6% (registered) Jinghong City, Mengla County
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture 1.337 million (permanent) 30.4% (Mangshi) Mangshi City, Ruili City
Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County 277,900 Undetermined (55.79% ethnic minorities) Lincang City

Notes:

  • The Dai population is highest in Xishuangbanna, while Dehong sees a balanced distribution between the Dai and Jingpo people.

  • In other autonomous counties, the Dai population data should be considered in the broader context of ethnic minorities.

  • Data is compiled from government statistical reports and population databases (2024-2025).

Dai Ethnic Minority: Key Dai Settlements in Yunnan Province

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

Jinghong City (景洪市)

  • Menglhan Town (橄榄坝), Menglun Town (勐龙镇), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), Jinuo Township (基诺乡) (partially Dai villages)

Menghai County (勐海县)

  • Daluo Town (打洛镇), Menghun Town (勐混镇), Mengman Town (勐满镇), Xiding Township (西定乡) (Dai and Blang people living together)

Mengla County (勐腊县)

  • Menglun Town (勐仑镇), Mengban Town (勐伴镇), Mohan Town (磨憨镇), Guanlei Town (关累镇)

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

Mangshi City (芒市)

  • Zhefang Town (遮放镇), Mengjia Town (勐戛镇), Manghai Town (芒海镇), Zhongshan Township (中山乡)

Ruili City (瑞丽市)

  • Nongdao Town (弄岛镇), Mengmao Town (勐卯镇), Jiexiang Town (姐相镇), Wanting Town (畹町镇)

Longchuan County (陇川县)

  • Zhangfeng Town (章凤镇), Longba Town (陇把镇), Husa Township (户撒乡)

Yingjiang County (盈江县)

  • Taiping Town (太平镇), Nongzhang Town (弄璋镇), Xima Town (昔马镇), Sudian Township (苏典乡) (Dai and Jingpo people living together)

Lianghe County (梁河县)

  • Jiubao Township (九保乡) (Dai villages)

3. Other Areas

Gengma County, Lincang City (临沧市耿马县)

  • Mengding Town (孟定镇) (Mainly Dai)

Lancang County, Pu’er City (普洱市澜沧县)

  • Menglang Town (勐朗镇) (Dai and Lahu people living together)

Notes:

The listed towns and townships are traditional Dai settlements, with some areas being multi-ethnic.

Dai Ethnic Minority: Population Distribution in Yunnan Province (2025 Data)

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

Jinghong City (景洪市)

  • Dai Population: 143,700 (32.5% of registered population)

  • Total Population: 442,800 (registered population, 2025)

  • Key Characteristics: Core area for Dai settlements, 50.99% urbanization rate.

Menghai County (勐海县)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, but ethnic minorities make up 88.48% of registered population.

  • Total Population: 359,700 (permanent population, 2023)

  • Key Characteristics: Multi-ethnic region, home to the largest population of the Blang ethnic group in China.

Mengla County (勐腊县)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, permanent population 310,100 (2024)

  • Key Characteristics: Border county with a mix of Dai, Hani, and Yao ethnic groups.

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

Mangshi City (芒市)

  • Dai Population: 141,200 (30.4% of permanent population)

  • Total Population: 464,300 (2023)

  • Key Characteristics: Dai, Jingpo, and De’ang ethnic groups cohabit.

Ruili City (瑞丽市)

  • Dai Population: 57,600 (25% of permanent population)

  • Total Population: 230,400 (2025)

  • Key Characteristics: Key border trade hub between China and Myanmar, Dai make up 64% of the minority population.

Yingjiang County (盈江县)

  • Dai Population: 102,000 (33.1% of permanent population)

  • Total Population: 308,100 (2023)

  • Key Characteristics: Mixed settlement of Dai, Jingpo, and Lisu ethnic groups.

Longchuan County (陇川县)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 54.2% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 190,500 (2023)

  • Key Characteristics: Home to the Jingpo ethnic group, with Dai concentrated in the Pingba area.

Lianghe County (梁河县)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 34.3% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 140,100 (2023)

3. Other Dai Autonomous Counties in Yunnan

Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County (耿马傣族佤族自治县), Lincang City (临沧市)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 55.79% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 277,900 (2025)

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)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 86.4% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 139,300 (2024)

Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县), Pu’er City (普洱市)

  • Dai Population: Approximately 30% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 267,200 (2025)

Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市)

  • Dai Population: Combined with the Yi ethnic group, totaling 184,800 (66.4% of the population).

  • Total Population: 260,000 (2024)

Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市)

  • Dai Population: 25,600 (12% of the registered population)

  • Total Population: 210,900 (2024)

Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County (金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州)

  • Dai Population: Specific number not available, ethnic minorities make up 88.25% of the total population.

  • Total Population: 320,100 (2024)

Summary

  • Core Settlements: Xishuangbanna and Dehong have the highest proportion of Dai population, with notable concentrations in cities like Jinghong (32.5%) and Mangshi (30.4%).

  • Joint Autonomous Counties: Other areas have a mixed population with the Dai living alongside various ethnic groups. The proportion of Dai population varies significantly, as seen in Xinping (66.4%) and Yuanjiang (12%).

  • Data Gaps: In some counties such as Mengla and Longchuan, Dai population figures are estimated based on the proportion of ethnic minorities overall.

Note: The data presented here is sourced from government reports, statistical yearbooks, and authoritative population databases (2023-2025).

Dai Ethnic Minority: Distribution, Autonomous Regions, and Notable Villages (2025 Update)

1. Core Distribution Areas and Population Statistics

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

  • Jinghong City (景洪市): Key towns include Menghan Town (勐罕镇) (Olive Dam Dai Ethnic Garden, 橄榄坝傣族园), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), and Jingha Hani Ethnic Township (景哈哈尼族乡). The Dai population in the city accounts for 32.6% (333,900 people).

  • Menghai County (勐海县): Features Blangshan Blang Ethnic Township (布朗山布朗族乡) (a multi-ethnic settlement) and Daluo Town (打洛镇) (border Dai village).

  • Mengla County (勐腊县): Notable towns include Guanlei Town (关累镇) and Mengpeng Town (勐捧镇), where Dai people make up 41% of the population in the town.

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

  • Mangshi City (芒市): Key towns include Fengping Town (风平镇) and Zhefang Town (遮放镇), which are home to a concentration of Dai traditional villages.

  • Ruili City (瑞丽市): Known for its Dai cultural belt along the China-Myanmar Border, with Jiexiang Town (姐相镇) being a prime example.

  • Longchuan County (陇川县): Zhangfeng Town (章凤镇) is a mixed Dai and Jingpo ethnic area.

Overall Population Data:

  • Dai population in Dehong Prefecture stands at 364,700 (27.28% of the total population), with an urbanization rate of 51.38%.

Additional Areas

  • Pu’er City (普洱市): Zhengdong Town (整董镇) in Jiangcheng County is a Dai Ethnic Town (清代建寨) with multiple ethnicities.

  • Lincang City (临沧市): Fengwei Town (凤尾镇) in Zhenkang County has Dai villages where 94% of the population is Dai.

  • Baoshan City (保山市): Mengnuo Town (勐糯镇) in Longling County is home to Daizhai Village (大寨村), a historical Dai village dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

  • Yuxi City (玉溪市): Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县) is a region of joint ethnic governance.

Provincial Data:

  • Total Population: 1.259 million (2020 Census), making up 8.05% of the total ethnic minority population in Yunnan Province.

  • Growth Rate: The registered population in Xishuangbanna is growing at an annual rate of 0.8% from 2023 to 2025.

2. Autonomous Administrative Systems and Ethnic Townships

Autonomous Prefectures

  • Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州): Located in southern Yunnan, it is home to 32.6% Dai population, and includes 12 traditional “Ban Na” villages.

  • Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (德宏傣族景颇族自治州): Located in western Yunnan, this region has a significant Dai population (27.28%) and a notable cross-border cultural influence.

Autonomous Counties

  • Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县): Located in Yuxi City, this is the only tri-ethnic autonomous county in the country.

Ethnic Townships

  • Jingne Township (景讷乡) in Jinghong City: Primarily Dai, with 72.81% of the population belonging to various ethnic minorities.

  • Zhengdong Dai Ethnic Town (整董傣族风情小镇): Located in Jiangcheng County, this town preserves traditional Dai culture with its Qing Dynasty-era architecture.

3. National-Level Featured Villages

Certified Traditional Villages

  • Dazhai Village (大寨村) in Longling County: Recognized in 2014, this ancient village showcases Qing Dynasty-style Ganlan bamboo houses and Theravada Buddhist temples.

  • Mantan Village (曼滩村) in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er City: Listed in 2014 and recognized in 2018 as one of Pu’er’s “Top Ten Historical Buildings”.

Minority Cultural Villages

  • Manzhang Village (曼掌村) in Mengla County: Officially recognized in 2019, this village includes a standardized Intangible Cultural Heritage display zone.

  • Dai Ethnic Garden (傣族园) in Jinghong City: Comprising five natural villages including Manjiang (曼将) and Manchunman (曼春满), it serves as the main venue for the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节).

Festival Cultural Villages

  • Manmai Village (曼迈村) in Puwen Town, Jinghong City: Hosting the main venue for the 2025 Water Splashing Festival, with activities such as the Grand Bazaar and Blessing Ceremonies.

  • Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) in Gasa Street: Known for the Dai Lunar New Year (傣历新年), where visitors experience traditional customs such as visiting elders’ homes for festive celebrations.

4. Cultural and Geographical Highlights

Architectural Culture

  • Ganlan Bamboo Houses (干栏式竹楼) in Xishuangbanna: Traditional stilted bamboo houses are a distinctive feature of Dai architecture.

  • Jinta Buddhist Temple (金塔佛寺) in Dehong: A prominent Buddhist site in the region.

Festivals and Celebrations

  • Water Splashing Festival (泼水节): April 14-16, 2025, celebrated across Dai regions with water-splashing rituals and dragon boat races.

  • Closing and Opening Festivals (关门节/开门节): Celebrated in the Dai lunar months (September/December), featuring prayer ceremonies and water-dropping rituals.

Economic and Ecological Practices

  • Pu’er Tea Cultivation (普洱茶种植) in Menghai County: Known for its world-famous tea.

  • Cross-Border Trade (瑞丽口岸) in Ruili City: A key gateway for trade between China and Myanmar.


Note: This report incorporates data from government publications, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and academic studies, with some population figures based on the 2020 census.