Goujie Yi Ethnic Town of Changning County in Baoshan

Hidden deep in the mountains of Southwest Yunnan, Goujie (耈街) is a secret land where Yi and Miao ethnic traditions blend with breathtaking natural beauty.

Location

Goujie Yi and Miao Township (耈街彝族苗族乡) belongs to Changning County (昌宁县), Baoshan City (保山市), located in the northeastern part of the county. It sits at the junction of Baoshan (保山), Dali (大理), and Lincang (临沧), bordering Zhujie Township (珠街乡) to the east, Fengqing County (凤庆县, Lincang) to the south, Mangshui Town (漭水镇) to the west, and Yongping County (永平县, Dali) to the north.

With an average elevation of about 1,800 meters, this mountainous region is known for its vertical climate, rich resources, and vibrant Yi and Miao cultures—awaiting every traveler seeking authenticity and uniqueness.

Area & Population

The township covers 358 km². By the end of 2019, its registered population was 23,699.

The majority are Han Chinese (≈78%), while ethnic minorities make up 22%. Among them, Yi people account for 76.6% and Miao people for 21%. It is a true land of multi-ethnic harmony.

History & Origins

The name “Goujie (耈街)” has an interesting story. Originally called “Goujie (狗街, Dog Market),” it got its name from a zodiac-based market day system. During the Daoguang Period of the Qing Dynasty (1821–1850), “狗 (dog)” was refined to “耈,” symbolizing longevity and auspiciousness.

In 1838 (Daoguang 18), the area was placed under Dongmulongli, Shunning Prefecture (顺宁府). In 1988, it was officially renamed Goujie Yi and Miao Township (耈街彝族苗族乡).

Education

Education here has a long history. The Goujie Yi and Miao Township Central Primary School (耈街彝族苗族乡中心完全小学), founded in 1904 and originally named “Longma Primary School (龙马小学),” was the first public school in Changning County.

Today, it oversees 8 village primary schools and 9 kindergartens, with 45 classes, 1,230 students, and 165 teachers—providing quality education to children of all ethnicities.

Specialty Resources

• Walnuts (泡核桃)
  Goujie has a 300-year history of walnut cultivation. Its walnuts are renowned for being large, plump, white-fleshed, fragrant, and easy to crack—an industry pillar of the township.
• Flue-Cured Tobacco (烤烟)
  Another key economic crop, widely cultivated and a major source of local income.
• Other Crops
  Tea and rapeseed are also important agricultural products.
• Mineral Resources
  Rich deposits of limestone, gypsum, slate, and metallic ores like iron, copper, and antimony. Copper reserves alone reach 380,000 tons.
• Forestry
  With a forest coverage of 62.5%, the township has abundant timber, including camphor, red toon, rosewood, and southwest birch.

Culture & Tourism

Goujie Yi and Miao Township (耈街彝族苗族乡) retains authentic ethnic customs. It is one of the best destinations to experience Yi and Miao cultures.

Likely celebrated festivals include:

• Torch Festival (火把节, Yi people) – with bonfires, singing, and dancing.
• Huashan Festival (花山节, Miao people) – featuring pole climbing, lusheng music, and traditional dances.

The landscape is equally striking. With altitudes ranging from 1,100m to 2,857.6m, it creates dramatic vertical scenery of mountains and valleys.

Transportation

By 2011, Goujie Township (耈街彝族苗族乡) had 845.5 km of roads. Its passenger station offered 9 daily bus routes to Changning County (昌宁县城), Longyang District (隆阳区), Zhujie Township (珠街乡), and Fengqing County (凤庆县).

With continuous improvements, transportation is increasingly convenient for both locals and travelers.

Festivals & Traditions

As a Yi and Miao community, Goujie is rich in folk traditions. While not all are officially recorded, the Torch Festival (火把节) and Huashan Festival (花山节) are undoubtedly cultural highlights for visitors eager to experience authentic ethnic celebrations.

✨ Goujie Yi and Miao Township (耈街彝族苗族乡) truly lives up to its name “耈”—symbolizing longevity and prosperity. It is not only a prime walnut-growing region but also a land where nature and culture harmoniously intertwine, and multiple ethnic groups coexist peacefully.

? Whether you come for its pure ethnic traditions, majestic mountain scenery, or the warmth of its people, Goujie welcomes you to explore the unique charm of this hidden mountain homeland at the crossroads of three prefectures.