History of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州, Chuxiong Yizu Zizhizhou) is located in the north-central part of Yunnan Province (云南省, Yunnan Province) on the Central Yunnan Plateau (滇中高原, Dianzhong Gaoyuan). Historically known as the “Gateway to the Provincial Capital and the Throat of Western Yunnan”, the region has long served as a strategic corridor connecting Kunming (昆明, Kunming) with western and northwestern Yunnan.

The area is also regarded as one of the birthplaces of early humans in the East and a core homeland of Yi ethnic culture. Archaeological discoveries trace human activity here back 1.7 million years, creating a long and continuous historical record that stretches from prehistoric civilization to the present day.

Prehistoric Civilization: Early Human Origins and Development

(Ancient Times – Pre-Qin Period)

Yuanmou Man and the Paleolithic Age

The most significant prehistoric discovery in the region is Yuanmou Man (元谋人, Yuanmou Ren). Two fossilized human teeth discovered in Shangnabang Village (上那蚌村, Shangnabang Cun) in Yuanmou County (元谋县, Yuanmou Xian) date back approximately 1.7 million years. These fossils are recognized as the earliest confirmed remains of Homo erectus in China.

Evidence suggests that Yuanmou Man had already mastered the use of fire, a breakthrough that significantly changed our understanding of early human history in East Asia. Today, this discovery is widely taught in Chinese history textbooks and remains a cornerstone of paleoanthropological research.

Evolutionary Fossil Record

The Yuanmou Basin (元谋盆地, Yuanmou Pendi) has produced a remarkable series of prehistoric fossils that document human evolution:

• Lufengpithecus (腊玛古猿, Lama Guyuan) from 8–6 million years ago

• Fossils known as “Eastern Humans” (东方人, Dongfang Ren) dating from 4–2.5 million years ago

These discoveries form a relatively complete evolutionary sequence, establishing the Chuxiong region as one of the most important early human origins in Asia.

Neolithic Settlements

Around 4,000 years ago, early agricultural settlements emerged in the region. Archaeological sites such as:

• Dadunzi Site (大墩子遗址, Dadunzi Yizhi) in Yuanmou

• Caiyuanzi Site (菜园子遗址, Caiyuanzi Yizhi) in Yongren County (永仁县, Yongren Xian)

show evidence of settled farming communities. Residents lived in semi-underground houses and produced tools and pottery, including stone axes, stone adzes, and ceramic jars. These discoveries indicate that the inhabitants had already developed primitive agriculture, pottery production, and animal husbandry.

Bronze Age and Early Ethnic Integration

During the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋时期, Chunqiu Shiqi) about 2,500 years ago, the region entered the Bronze Age. The most notable artifact is the Wanjia-Ba Style Bronze Drum (万家坝型铜鼓, Wanjia Ba Xing Tonggu), accompanied by bronze weapons and ritual objects such as bronze spears and bronze bells.

These artifacts reveal the emergence of an early stratified society. At the same time, several ancient ethnic groups—including the Di-Qiang (氐羌族群, Diqiang Zuqun), Baiyue (百越族群, Baiyue Zuqun), and Baipu (百濮族群, Baipu Zuqun)—interacted and merged in this region, laying the cultural foundation for the later Yi ethnic culture.

Qin–Han to Northern and Southern Dynasties

(2nd Century BC – 589 AD)

Integration into the Central Chinese Empires

During the Western Han Dynasty (西汉, Xi Han), the region was officially incorporated into imperial administration in 111 BC under the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝, Han Wudi). Chuxiong was governed under Yuesui Commandery (越嶲郡, Yuesui Jun) and Yizhou Commandery (益州郡, Yizhou Jun).

During the Shu Han Kingdom (蜀汉, Shu Han) of the Three Kingdoms period, the area belonged to Jianing (建宁郡, Jianing Jun), Yunnan Commandery (云南郡, Yunnan Jun), and Yuesui Commandery. Following Zhuge Liang’s Southern Campaign (诸葛亮南征, Zhuge Liang Nanzheng), policies encouraging cooperation between the Han Chinese and local ethnic groups promoted the spread of Han culture in southwestern China.

Rise of the Cuan Clan and the Origin of “Weichu”

In 342 AD, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (东晋, Dong Jin), the powerful Cuan clan (爨氏, Cuanshi) established a fortified city at Eludan (峨碌赕, Eludan) near present-day Lucheng (鹿城, Lucheng) in Chuxiong City (楚雄市, Chuxiong Shi).

This settlement became known as Weichu (威楚, Weichu), a name that later influenced the region’s historical identity. The Cuan clan dominated much of central Yunnan for centuries, making Chuxiong one of their most important political centers.

Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasties

(581–1368)

Tang Dynasty Administration

During the early Tang Dynasty (唐朝, Tang Chao), the imperial government established the Yaozhou Military Governor’s Office (姚州都督府, Yaozhou Dudufu) in Yao’an (姚安, Yao’an). This institution served as a strategic administrative and military base for governing southwestern frontier regions.

Nanzhao Kingdom

During the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国, Nanzhao Guo) period (738–902), the Chuxiong region belonged to two administrative divisions:

• Tuodong Military District (拓东节度, Tuodong Jiedu)

• Nongdong Military District (弄栋节度, Nongdong Jiedu) centered around modern Yao’an

Cities such as Quyi Post Station (曲驿, Quyi Yi) and Shigu Post Station (石鼓驿, Shigu Yi) were established, making the region a key transportation hub connecting central Yunnan and western Yunnan.

Dali Kingdom

During the Dali Kingdom (大理国, Dali Guo) period (937–1253), the region was divided into Weichu Prefecture (威楚府, Weichu Fu) and Nongdong Prefecture (弄栋府, Nongdong Fu).

Local aristocratic families such as the Gao clan (高氏, Gao Shi) governed the region. Buddhism flourished during this era, leaving behind numerous Buddhist statues, temples, and archaeological remains throughout Chuxiong.

Meanwhile, areas like Wuding (武定, Wuding) and Lufeng (禄丰, Lufeng) were controlled by Yi tribal groups such as Luowu (罗婺部, Luowu Bu) and Huazhu (华竹部, Huazhu Bu). This period saw the gradual formation of distinctive Yi ethnic traditions and culture.

Yuan Dynasty Provincial System

After the Mongol conquest of the Dali Kingdom, the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, Yuan Chao) introduced a system combining local hereditary chieftains (土司, Tusi) with imperial officials. Administrative units such as:

• Weichu Circuit (威楚路, Weichu Lu)

• Yao’an Circuit (姚安路, Yao’an Lu)

• Wuding Circuit (武定路, Wuding Lu)

were established under Yunnan Province (云南行省, Yunnan Xing Sheng).

This administrative reform expanded postal routes and improved trade links between central China and western Yunnan, further integrating the region into the imperial network.

Ming and Qing Dynasties

(1368–1911)

Formation of Chuxiong Prefecture

In 1382, during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝, Hongwu Di) of the Ming Dynasty (明朝, Ming Chao), Weichu Circuit was renamed Chuxiong Prefecture (楚雄府, Chuxiong Fu)—the origin of the modern name Chuxiong.

The Ming government implemented the garrison-farming system (卫所屯田, Weisuo Tuntian), relocating large numbers of soldiers and farmers from central China. These migrants introduced advanced farming techniques and handicraft industries, greatly promoting regional development and ethnic integration.

Administrative Reforms of the Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty (清朝, Qing Chao) largely inherited the Ming administrative structure but later consolidated several prefectures. Yao’an Prefecture was eventually merged into Chuxiong Prefecture, while Wuding Prefecture was downgraded to Wuding Directly Governed Sub-Prefecture (武定直隶州, Wuding Zhili Zhou) in 1770.

During this period, the government carried out large-scale “Gaitu Guiliu” reforms (改土归流, Gaitu Guiliu), replacing hereditary tribal leaders with centrally appointed officials. This strengthened imperial control while also encouraging cultural interaction between the Yi people and Han Chinese.

Salt production became the region’s major economic industry. Important salt wells included:

• Heijing Salt Well (黑井, Heijing)

• Langyanyan Salt Well (琅盐井, Langyanyan Jing)

• Baiyanyan Salt Well (白盐井, Baiyanyan Jing)

The prosperity of these salt industries stimulated trade and urban growth throughout the region.

Republic of China Period

(1912–1949)

After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the new government abolished the traditional prefecture system in 1913, replacing it with a county-based administrative structure directly under Yunnan Province.

In 1946, the region became the Eighth Administrative Inspectorate (第八行政督察区, Di Ba Xingzheng Duchaqu), overseeing counties including:

• Chuxiong (楚雄, Chuxiong)

• Shuangbai (双柏, Shuangbai)

• Mouding (牟定, Mouding)

• Nanhua (南华, Nanhua)

• Yao’an (姚安, Yao’an)

• Dayao (大姚, Dayao)

• Yongren (永仁, Yongren)

• Yuanmou (元谋, Yuanmou)

• Wuding (武定, Wuding)

• Lufeng (禄丰, Lufeng)

During this time, major transportation projects such as the Burma Road (滇缅公路, Dianmian Gonglu) strengthened Chuxiong’s role as an important logistical corridor during the Second Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争, Kangri Zhanzheng).

People’s Republic of China Era

(1949 – Present)

Early Administrative Adjustments

After 1949, the region was divided into Chuxiong Prefecture and Wuding Prefecture, which were later merged in 1953 into Chuxiong Prefecture Region (楚雄专区, Chuxiong Zhuanqu).

Establishment of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture

On April 15, 1958, the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture was officially established with its capital in Chuxiong County (楚雄县, Chuxiong Xian).

Over time, several counties were merged and later restored as the administrative structure stabilized.

Modern Administrative Structure

In 1983, Chuxiong County was upgraded to Chuxiong City (楚雄市, Chuxiong Shi).

In 2021, Lufeng County (禄丰县, Lufeng Xian) was upgraded to Lufeng City (禄丰市, Lufeng Shi).

Today, the prefecture includes two county-level cities and eight counties:

• Chuxiong City (楚雄市, Chuxiong Shi)

• Lufeng City (禄丰市, Lufeng Shi)

• Shuangbai County (双柏县, Shuangbai Xian)

• Mouding County (牟定县, Mouding Xian)

• Nanhua County (南华县, Nanhua Xian)

• Yao’an County (姚安县, Yao’an Xian)

• Dayao County (大姚县, Dayao Xian)

• Yongren County (永仁县, Yongren Xian)

• Yuanmou County (元谋县, Yuanmou Xian)

• Wuding County (武定县, Wuding Xian)

Cultural and Historical Highlights of Chuxiong

Birthplace of Early Humans in the East

The Yuanmou Man Site (元谋人遗址, Yuanmou Ren Yizhi) is a nationally protected archaeological site and one of the most important places in Asia for studying human origins.

World-Famous Dinosaur Fossils

Lufeng (禄丰, Lufeng) is known as the “Hometown of Dinosaurs”. The first complete dinosaur fossil discovered in China, Lufengosaurus Huenei (许氏禄丰龙, Xushi Lufenglong), was unearthed here, leading to global scientific recognition.

Heartland of Yi Culture

Chuxiong is widely regarded as a center of Yi ethnic culture. Important cultural heritage includes:

• Yi Ten-Month Solar Calendar (彝族十月太阳历, Yizu Shiyue Taiyangli)

• Epic oral traditions such as Meige (梅葛, Meige) and Chamu (查姆, Chamu)

• The vibrant Torch Festival (火把节, Huoba Jie), the most important celebration of the Yi people

Historic Transportation Corridor

For centuries, Chuxiong has been a strategic gateway linking Kunming with western and northwestern Yunnan. Ancient postal routes, caravan trails, highways, and railways all passed through this region, helping shape its cultural and economic development.

Overall, the history of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州, Chuxiong Yizu Zizhizhou) represents a remarkable journey—from million-year-old human origins to a vibrant center of Yi culture, and from imperial frontier governance to modern ethnic autonomy. Today, it stands as an important cultural, historical, and tourism destination in southwestern China.