Distribution of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan

The Yi ethnic minority is one of the significant ethnic groups in southwestern China, with a large distribution across several provinces. Below is an overview of the regions where the Yi people live and the communities that preserve their culture. The Yi ethnic minority is one of the largest minority groups in China. According to the 2010 Sixth National Census, the Yi population in China is 8.71 million, making it the seventh-largest ethnic group out of China’s 56 recognized ethnicities. The Yi people are primarily distributed across Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Chongqing, with a significant presence in southwestern China.

Yi Population in Yunnan Province

In Yunnan Province, the Yi population totals approximately 5.03 million, and they are mainly distributed in the following areas:

• Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州)

• Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州)

• Shilin Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县)

• Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County (江城哈尼族彝族自治县)

• Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (宁蒗彝族自治县)

• Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (巍山彝族回族自治县)

• Nanjian Yi Autonomous County (南涧彝族自治县)

• Xundian Yi and Hui Autonomous County (寻甸彝族回族自治县)

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

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

• Yangbi Yi Autonomous County (漾濞彝族自治县)

• Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County (禄劝彝族苗族自治县)

• Ning’er Hani and Yi Autonomous County (宁洱哈尼族彝族自治县)

• Jingdong Yi Autonomous County (景东彝族自治县)

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

• Zhenyuan Yi, Hani, and Lahu Autonomous County (镇沅彝族哈尼族拉祜族自治县)

• Eshan Yi Autonomous County (峨山彝族自治县)

Yi Ethnic Distribution in Yunnan

Currently, there are 2 Yi Autonomous Prefectures, 15 Yi Autonomous Counties, and 86 Yi Autonomous Townships in Yunnan Province.

Yi Autonomous Prefectures

1. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州) – Yunnan Province

2. Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州) – Yunnan Province

Yi Autonomous Counties in Yunnan

1. Shilin Yi Autonomous County (石林彝族自治县)

2. Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County (江城哈尼族彝族自治县)

3. Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (宁蒗彝族自治县)

4. Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (巍山彝族回族自治县)

5. Nanjian Yi Autonomous County (南涧彝族自治县)

6. Yangbi Yi Autonomous County (漾濞彝族自治县)

7. Xundian Yi and Hui Autonomous County (寻甸彝族回族自治县)

8. Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县)

9. Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县)

10. Luqiao Yi and Miao Autonomous County (禄劝彝族苗族自治县)

11. Ning’er Hani and Yi Autonomous County (宁洱哈尼族彝族自治县)

12. Jingdong Yi Autonomous County (景东彝族自治县)

13. Jinggu Dai, Yi Autonomous County (景谷傣族彝族自治县)

14. Zhenyuan Yi, Hani, and Lahu Autonomous County (镇沅彝族哈尼族拉祜族自治县)

15. Eshan Yi Autonomous County (峨山彝族自治县)

Yi Townships in Yunnan Province

Below is a list of Yi ethnic townships found throughout Yunnan Province. These regions offer visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Yi culture, explore traditional lifestyles, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.

Baoshan City:

• Longling County, Muchen Yi and Lisu Township (龙陵县木城彝族僳僳族乡)

• Shidian County, Bailang Yi and Blang Township (施甸县摆榔彝族布朗族乡)

• Shidian County, Mulaoyuan Yi and Blang Township (施甸县木老元布朗族彝族乡)

• Changning County, Jiao Street Yi and Miao Township (昌宁县耇街彝族苗族乡)

• Changning County, Zhu Street Yi Township (昌宁县珠街彝族乡)

• Longyang District, Wafang Yi and Miao Township (隆阳区瓦房彝族苗族乡)

• Longyang District, Wama Yi and Bai Township (隆阳区瓦马彝族白族乡)

• Longyang District, Yangliu Bai Yi and Township (隆阳区杨柳白族彝族乡)

• Longyang District, Mangkuan Yi and Dai Township (隆阳区芒宽彝族傣族乡)

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture:

• Xiangyun County, Dongshan Yi Township (祥云县东山彝族乡)

• Heqing County, Liuhe Yi Township (鹤庆县六合彝族乡)

• Midu County, Niujie Yi Township (弥渡县牛街彝族乡)

• Dali City, Taiyi Yi Township (大理市太邑彝族乡)

• Yunlong County, Tuanjie Yi Township (云龙县团结彝族乡)

• Yongping County, Shuixie Yi Township (永平县水泄彝族乡)

• Yongping County, Yonghe Yi Township (永平县永和彝族乡)

• Yongping County, Beidou Yi Township (永平县北斗彝族乡)

• Yongping County, Changjie Yi Township (永平县厂街彝族乡)

• Binchuan County, Zhongying Yi and Lisu Township (宾川县钟英僳僳族彝族乡)

• Binchuan County, La’wu Yi Township (宾川县拉乌彝族乡)

Kunming City:

• Guandu District, Ala Yi Township (官渡区阿拉彝族乡)

• Yiliang County, Gengjiaying Yi and Miao Township (宜良县耿家营彝族苗族乡)

• Yiliang County, Jiuxiang Yi and Hui Township (宜良县九乡彝族回族乡)

• Fumin County, Luomian Yi and Miao Township (富民县罗免彝族苗族乡)

• Jinning County, Shuanghe Yi Township (晋宁县双河彝族乡)

• Jinning County, Xiyang Yi Township (晋宁县夕阳彝族乡)

Lijiang City:

• Huaping County, Shilongba Yi and Dai Township (华坪县石龙坝彝族傣族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Daan Yi and Naxi Township (永胜县大安彝族纳西族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Dongfeng Yi and Lisu Township (永胜县东风僳僳族彝族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Dongshan Yi and Lisu Township (永胜县东山僳僳族彝族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Guanghua Yi and Lisu Township (永胜县光华僳僳族彝族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Liude Yi and Lisu Township (永胜县六德僳僳族彝族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Songping Yi and Lisu Township (永胜县松坪僳僳族彝族乡)

• Yongsheng County, Yangping Yi Township (永胜县羊坪彝族乡)

Lincang City:

• Yongde County, Daxueshan Yi, Lahu, and Dai Township (永德县大雪山彝族拉祜族傣族乡)

• Yongde County, Wumulong Yi Township (永德县乌木龙彝族乡)

• Yun County, Houqing Yi Township (云县后箐彝族乡)

• Yun County, Lishu Yi and Dai Township (云县栗树彝族傣族乡)

• Yun County, Manghuai Yi and Blang Township (云县忙怀彝族布朗族乡)

• Cangyuan County, Mengjiao Dai, Yi, and Lahu Township (沧源县勐角傣族彝族拉祜族乡)

• Linxiang District, Pingcun Yi and Dai Township (临翔区平村彝族傣族乡)

• Fengqing County, Xinhua Yi and Miao Township (凤庆县新华彝族苗族乡)

• Fengqing County, Yaojie Yi Township (凤庆县腰街彝族乡)

• Fengqing County, Guodazhai Yi and Bai Township (凤庆县郭大寨彝族白族乡)

Pu’er City:

• Mojiang County, Longyutang Yi Township (墨江县龙鱼塘彝族乡)

• Mojiang County, Mengnong Yi Township (墨江县孟弄彝族乡)

• Lancang County, Qianliu Yi Township (澜沧县谦六彝族乡)

• Simao District, Yunxian Yi Township (思茅区云仙彝族乡)

• Simao District, Longtan Yi and Dai Township (思茅区龙潭彝族傣族乡)

Qujing City:

• Luoping County, Jiuwuji Yi Township (罗平县旧屋基彝族乡)

• Shizong County, Longqing Yi and Zhuang Township (师宗县龙庆彝族壮族乡)

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture:

• Wenshan City, Baxin Yi Township (文山市坝心彝族乡)

• Wenshan City, Binglie Yi Township (文山市秉烈彝族乡)

• Wenshan City, Dongshan Yi Township (文山市东山彝族乡)

• Wenshan City, Liujing Yi Township (文山市柳井彝族乡)

• Qiubei County, Badoushao Yi Township (丘北县八道哨彝族乡)

• Qiubei County, Nijiao Yi Township (丘北县腻脚彝族乡)

• Qiubei County, Shede Yi Township (丘北县舍得彝族乡)

• Qiubei County, Shubi Yi Township (丘北县树皮彝族乡)

• Qiubei County, Xindian Yi Township (丘北县新店彝族乡)

• Yanshan County, Weima Yi Township (砚山县维末彝族乡)

• Yanshan County, Ganhe Yi Township (砚山县干河彝族乡)

• Yanshan County, Panlong Yi Township (砚山县盘龙彝族乡)

• Yanshan County, Ashe Yi Township (砚山县阿舍彝族乡)

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture:

• Mengla County, Xiangming Yi Township (勐腊县象明彝族乡)

Yuxi City:

• Hongta District, Luohe Yi Township (红塔区洛河彝族乡)

• Hongta District, Xiaoshiqiao Yi Township (红塔区小石桥彝族乡)

• Jiangchuan County, Anhua Yi Township (江川县安化彝族乡)

• Yimen County, Pubei Yi Township (易门县浦贝彝族乡)

• Yimen County, Shijie Yi Township (易门县十街彝族乡)

• Yimen County, Tongchang Yi Township (易门县铜厂彝族乡)

Zhaotong City:

• Zhaoyang District, Qinggangling Yi and Hui Township (昭阳区青岗岭回族彝族乡)

• Zhaoyang District, Xiaolongdong Yi and Hui Township (昭阳区小龙洞回族彝族乡)

• Zhenxiong County, Guozhu Yi Township (镇雄县果珠彝族乡)

• Zhenxiong County, Linkou Yi and Miao Township (镇雄县林口彝族苗族乡)

• Yiliang County, Kuixiang Yi and Miao Township (彝良县奎香苗族彝族乡)

• Yiliang County, Longjie Yi and Miao Township (彝良县龙街苗族彝族乡)

• Yiliang County, Shulin Yi and Miao Township (彝良县树林彝族苗族乡)

• Yongshan County, Mana Yi and Miao Township (永善县马楠苗族彝族乡)

• Yongshan County, Wuzhai Yi and Miao Township (永善县伍寨彝族苗族乡)

• Daguan County, Shangaoqiao Yi and Hui Township (大关县上高桥回族彝族苗族乡)

• Weixin County, Shuanghe Yi and Miao Township (威信县双河苗族彝族乡)