History of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州), often called Nujiang Prefecture, lies in the deep valleys of the Hengduan Mountains (横断山脉) in northwestern Yunnan (云南). It is the only Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in China, and also the main homeland of the Derung (独龙族) and Nu (怒族) ethnic groups.

The prefecture stretches along the Nujiang River (怒江) and shares a 449.5-kilometer border with Myanmar (缅甸). Historically, the region evolved from ancient tribal societies → Ailao and Yongchang commanderies → Nanzhao and Dali rule → Tusi chieftain administration → modern counties → autonomous prefecture.

Today, Nujiang represents a remarkable transformation—from an isolated mountain frontier to a modern region experiencing rapid social and economic development.

Prehistoric Times to Qin–Han Dynasties: Early Peoples and First Administration (Prehistory – 220)

Ancient Tribes of the Nujiang Valley

Human activity in the Nujiang Grand Canyon (怒江大峡谷) dates back to the Paleolithic Age. During the Neolithic period, early settlements formed in the valleys and mountain slopes.

The region was part of a cultural crossroads where ethnic groups such as the Diqiang (氐羌), Baipu (百濮), and Baiyue (百越) interacted. The ancestors of the Lisu (傈僳族), Nu (怒族), and Derung (独龙族) peoples lived by hunting, pastoralism, and slash-and-burn agriculture.

During the Warring States Period (战国时期) and the Qin Dynasty (秦朝), the area belonged to the northern territory of the Ancient Ailao Kingdom (哀牢国), governed through tribal alliances.

Integration into the Han Empire

In the Western Han Dynasty (西汉), the area around Lanping (兰坪) established Bisu County (比苏县) under Yizhou Commandery (益州郡)—the earliest county-level administration in the Nujiang region.

Other areas such as Lushui (泸水), Fugong (福贡), and Gongshan (贡山) remained part of the Ailao territories but were loosely governed under Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡).

A major turning point occurred in 69 AD, when the Ailao Kingdom (哀牢国) submitted to the Eastern Han Dynasty (东汉). The establishment of Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡) brought the Nujiang region into the official administrative system of the Chinese empire.

Wei–Jin to Tang Dynasties: Tribal Autonomy and Nanzhao Expansion (220–902)

Period of Tribal Independence

During the Wei, Jin, and Southern–Northern Dynasties (魏晋南北朝), the Nujiang region nominally belonged to Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡) or Yunnan Commandery (云南郡).

However, imperial control weakened, and local ethnic groups such as the Lisu, Nu, and Derung largely governed themselves through tribal alliances.

Nanzhao Administration

In the early Tang Dynasty (唐朝), the region was administered through frontier prefectures under the Yaozhou Military Governor’s Office (姚州都督府).

After the rise of the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国) between 738–902, the region was divided between the Yongchang Military Commission (永昌节度) and Jianchuan Military Commission (剑川节度).

• Lanping (兰坪) belonged to Jianchuan administration

• Lushui (泸水), Fugong (福贡), and Gongshan (贡山) belonged to Yongchang

Nanzhao authorities built fortifications and managed transportation routes linking Yunnan and Tibet, strengthening control of mountain trade routes.

During this time, Tibetan Buddhism and Nanzhao culture spread into the region and blended with local indigenous beliefs.

Song and Yuan Dynasties: Dali Kingdom and the Tusi System (937–1368)

Dali Kingdom Rule

During the Dali Kingdom (大理国), the region was divided into several prefectures:

• Lanping (兰坪) belonged to Lancang River Prefecture (澜沧江郡), later renamed Lanxi Prefecture (兰溪郡)

• Lushui (泸水) belonged to Shengxiang Prefecture (胜乡郡)

• Fugong (福贡) and Gongshan (贡山) were governed from Lanxi Prefecture

Local governance relied on hereditary tribal leaders from ethnic groups such as the Naxi (纳西族), Bai (白族), and Lisu (傈僳族). This marked the early formation of the Tusi System (土司制度).

The rise of the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道) turned Nujiang into an important corridor connecting Yunnan and Tibet.

Yuan Dynasty Administration

After the Mongol conquest in 1253, the region was incorporated into the Yunnan Province of the Yuan Dynasty (云南行省) and governed under the Lijiang Route Military and Civil Administration (丽江路军民总管府).

During this period, the Tusi chieftain system was formally implemented.

• Lanping (兰坪) established Lanzhou Tusi Prefecture (兰州土知州)

• Fugong (福贡), Gongshan (贡山), and Lushui (泸水) were indirectly administered by Lijiang Tusi authorities.

This system shaped the long-term settlement pattern of the Lisu, Nu, and Derung peoples.

Ming and Qing Dynasties: Tusi Rule and Administrative Reforms (1368–1911)

Ming Dynasty

During the Ming Dynasty (明朝), the region belonged to the Lijiang Military and Civil Prefecture (丽江军民府) and was controlled by the powerful Mu Family Tusi (木氏土司) of Lijiang (丽江).

The Mu rulers introduced Han agricultural techniques, encouraging farming and economic development in the mountain valleys. They also supported Tibetan Buddhism, promoting cultural exchange among ethnic groups.

By the late Ming period, a well-developed Tusi administration network existed in Lushui (泸水) and surrounding areas, including local chieftain seats such as Liuku Tusi (六库土司).

Qing Dynasty and Frontier Conflicts

During the Qing Dynasty (清朝), the government gradually implemented the “Gaitu Guiliu” reform (改土归流)—replacing hereditary chieftains with centrally appointed officials.

• Lanping (兰坪) was governed by a Qing magistrate

• Other regions remained under Tusi administration with increasing state supervision

In 1911, British forces (英军) invaded Pianma (片马) near the border. Local people from various ethnic groups resisted the invasion in what became known as the Pianma Anti-British Resistance (片马抗英斗争).

Despite these changes, many communities in Nujiang remained in late primitive or early slave society, with very low levels of economic development before the 20th century.

Republican Period: Early Administration and Wartime Resistance (1912–1949)

Establishment of Administrative Offices

Between 1912 and 1916, several administrative offices were established:

• Lushui Administrative Office (泸水行政委员)

• Bijiang Administrative Bureau (碧江设治局)

• Fugong Administrative Bureau (福贡设治局)

• Gongshan Administrative Bureau (贡山设治局)

These institutions marked the first modern administrative governance in the Nujiang region.

Lanping County (兰坪县) was officially established in 1913, becoming the earliest formal county in the area.

The War of Resistance in Western Yunnan

During the Second Sino-Japanese War (抗日战争) from 1942 to 1945, the Nujiang River (怒江) became the frontline of the Western Yunnan battlefield (滇西战场).

Local ethnic communities helped construct the Nujiang Defense Line (怒江防线) and supported the Chinese Expeditionary Force (中国远征军). The region became a strategic transportation route connecting China’s rear areas with the Burma battlefield (缅甸战场).

Liberation

• May 10, 1949 – Lanping County (兰坪县) was peacefully liberated

• January 13, 1950 – Lushui County (泸水县) was liberated

• Soon afterward Fugong (福贡), Gongshan (贡山), and Bijiang (碧江) were also liberated, bringing the entire Nujiang region under the new government.

Modern Era: Ethnic Autonomy and Rapid Development (1950–Present)

Establishment of the Autonomous Region

On August 23, 1954, the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Region (怒江傈僳族自治区) was established with its capital in Zhiziluo (知子罗) of Bijiang County (碧江县).

The first chairman was Pei Aqian (裴阿欠), a leader of the Lisu ethnic group (傈僳族).

Formation of the Autonomous Prefecture

On January 18, 1957, the region was reorganized as the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州).

The prefecture eventually included five counties:

• Bijiang County (碧江县)

• Fugong County (福贡县)

• Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (贡山独龙族怒族自治县)

• Lushui County (泸水县)

• Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County (兰坪白族普米族自治县)

Administrative Adjustments

Key changes in the modern period include:

• 1973 – Nujiang Prefecture came under direct administration of Yunnan Province (云南省)

• 1986 – Bijiang County (碧江县) was abolished and merged into neighboring counties

• 2004 – the prefectural government moved from Zhiziluo (知子罗) to Liuku Town (六库镇) in Lushui (泸水)

• 2016 – Lushui County (泸水县) was upgraded to Lushui City (泸水市)

Today the prefecture governs:

• Lushui City (泸水市)

• Fugong County (福贡县)

• Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (贡山独龙族怒族自治县)

• Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County (兰坪白族普米族自治县)

Cultural Highlights of Nujiang

Ethnic Diversity

Nujiang is home to 22 ethnic groups, including Lisu (傈僳族), Derung (独龙族), Nu (怒族), Bai (白族), and Pumi (普米族). The region is sometimes called a “living museum of human cultures.”

Frontier History

Events such as the Pianma Anti-British Resistance (片马抗英斗争) and the Western Yunnan War of Resistance (滇西抗战) reflect the strong patriotic spirit of local communities.

Canyon Culture

The region’s dramatic landscape—known as “Four Mountains and Three Rivers” (四山夹三江)—shaped unique lifestyles adapted to steep valleys and high mountains.

Religious Diversity

Various beliefs coexist in the region, including indigenous religions, Tibetan Buddhism, and Christianity, reflecting a long tradition of cultural harmony.

Red Revolutionary Heritage

During the Long March (红军长征), Red Army units passed through the Nujiang region, leaving behind stories of solidarity and revolutionary spirit.