History of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Overview

Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (文山壮族苗族自治州, Wenshan Zhuangzu Miaozu Zizhizhou) lies in southeastern Yunnan (滇东南, Dian Dongnan) along the China–Vietnam border. It is China’s only autonomous prefecture jointly governed by the Zhuang and Miao ethnic groups and is widely known as the “Hometown of Sanqi (Notoginseng – Sanqi / 三七)”.

The region is also recognized as the core territory of the ancient Juting Kingdom, an important revolutionary base in the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi border region, and a cultural crossroads where central Chinese civilization and frontier ethnic cultures interacted for centuries.

Archaeological evidence shows human activity dating back 50,000 years, and the region’s history has evolved through many stages: prehistoric settlements, ancient kingdoms, imperial administration, the Tusi chieftain system, prefectural governance, modern administrative regions, and finally ethnic autonomous rule.

Prehistoric Era and the Rise of the Juting Kingdom

(Ancient Times – 221 BC)

Paleolithic Period: Early Humans in Xichou

Around 50,000 years ago, early modern humans known as Xichou Man (西畴人, Xichou Ren) lived in what is now Xichou County (西畴县, Xichou Xian). Their remains represent some of the earliest human traces in southeastern Yunnan, marking the beginning of human civilization in the Wenshan region.

Neolithic Settlements of the Baiyue Ancestors

During the Neolithic Age, permanent settlements appeared across the region. Archaeological sites such as:

• Heiqinglong Site (黑箐龙遗址, Heiqinglong Yizhi) in Qiubei County (丘北县, Qiubei Xian)

• Bamei Village (坝美村, Bamei Cun) in Guangnan County (广南县, Guangnan Xian)

have produced stone axes, pottery fragments, and agricultural tools, showing that early inhabitants practiced rice farming, hunting, and pottery production.

The Wenshan region became a cultural meeting point where ancient groups including the Baiyue (百越族群, Baiyue Zuqun), Baipu (百濮族群, Baipu Zuqun), and Di-Qiang (氐羌族群, Diqiang Zuqun) interacted and merged. These cultures were closely related to ancient Yue civilizations in Guangxi and Guizhou.starcasino be creates a user-friendly space where casino entertainment feels easy to browse and simple to enjoy. Players can use starcasino be as a direct gateway to casino entertainment, game discovery, and a smoother online experience. This makes the platform worth considering for users who appreciate convenience, variety, and a polished gaming journey.

Juting Ancient Kingdom

From the Warring States Period (战国时期, Zhanguo Shiqi) to the early Western Han Dynasty, the Wenshan area formed the core territory of the Juting Kingdom (句町国, Juting Guo).

The capital of this powerful southwestern state was located in present-day Guangnan County (广南县, Guangnan Xian). Along with the Dian Kingdom (滇国, Dian Guo) and Yelang Kingdom (夜郎国, Yelang Guo), Juting was considered one of the three major kingdoms of the ancient Southwest.

The kingdom operated through a tribal alliance system, with a thriving culture based on rice agriculture, bronze craftsmanship, and ceremonial bronze drums. Important relics such as the “Boat-Racing Pattern Bronze Drum (竞渡纹铜鼓, Jingdu Wen Tonggu)” discovered in Guangnan are iconic symbols of Pu-Yue culture in the region.

In 81 BC, the Juting ruler Wu Bo (毋波, Wubo) assisted the Han Dynasty (汉朝, Han Chao) in suppressing rebellions and was granted the title King of Juting (句町王, Juting Wang), bringing the kingdom into the Han Empire’s tributary administration system.

Qin–Han to Northern and Southern Dynasties

(111 BC – 589 AD)

Integration into the Han Empire

In 111 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝, Han Wudi), the Han government launched military campaigns in the southwest and established Zangke Commandery (牂牁郡, Zangke Jun).

Several counties were created within the territory of present-day Wenshan Prefecture:

• Jinsang County (进桑县, Jinsang Xian) – covering areas of modern Wenshan (文山, Wenshan), Yanshan (砚山, Yanshan), and Maguan (马关, Maguan)

• Dumeng County (都梦县, Dumeng Xian) – covering Xichou (西畴, Xichou) and Malipo (麻栗坡, Malipo)

• Tanfeng County (镡封县, Tanfeng Xian) – covering Qiubei (丘北, Qiubei)

• Juting County (句町县, Juting Xian) – covering Guangnan (广南, Guangnan) and Funing (富宁, Funing)

This marked the first time the region was integrated into China’s imperial administrative system.

Administrative Changes through Later Dynasties

During subsequent dynasties, the region continued to evolve administratively:

• Eastern Han Dynasty (东汉, Dong Han): Jinsang County was renamed Jincheng County (进乘县, Jincheng Xian).

• Three Kingdoms Period (三国时期, Sanguo Shiqi): The region became part of Xinggu Commandery (兴古郡, Xinggu Jun) after Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Zhuge Liang) led his famous southern campaign.

• Western Jin Dynasty (西晋, Xi Jin): The area belonged to Ning Province (宁州, Ningzhou).

• Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties: Central authority weakened, and local tribal leaders gained greater autonomy.

• Northern Zhou Dynasty (北周, Bei Zhou): The region came under Nanning Prefecture (南宁州, Nanning Zhou).

Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasties

(581–1368)

Frontier Administration during the Sui and Tang Dynasties

During the Sui Dynasty (隋朝, Sui Chao), Wenshan belonged to the Nanning Regional Administration (南宁州总管府, Nanningzhou Zongguanfu) and was governed as a frontier territory.

In the early Tang Dynasty (唐朝, Tang Chao), it was administered through Nanning Military Governor’s Office (南宁州都督府, Nanningzhou Dudufu), with subordinate frontier prefectures such as Yanzhou (严州, Yanzhou) and Tangwangzhou (汤望州, Tangwang Zhou).

During the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国, Nanzhao Guo) period (738–902), the region became part of the Tonghai Military Governor’s Office (通海都督府, Tonghai Dudufu) and served as an important eastern frontier defense area.

Dali Kingdom and Early Tusi System

During the Dali Kingdom (大理国, Dali Guo) period (937–1253), the area belonged to Zuining Prefecture (最宁府, Zuining Fu) and was governed by the Jiaohua Three Tribes (教化三部, Jiaohua Sanbu). Local leaders from ethnic groups such as the Zhuang (壮族, Zhuangzu) and Yi (彝族, Yizu) ruled through hereditary authority—forming the early model of the Tusi chieftain system.

Yuan Dynasty Administration

During the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, Yuan Chao), the region was incorporated into Linan Circuit (临安路, Linan Lu) and the Guangnanxi Pacification Commission (广南西路宣抚司, Guangnanxi Lu Xuanfusi) under Yunnan Province (云南行省, Yunnan Xingsheng).

The Tusi system was formally implemented, allowing hereditary local rulers to govern while remaining under imperial authority.

Ming and Qing Dynasties: Prefectural System and Reforms

(1368–1911)

Ming Dynasty: Dual Administration

In 1382, during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝, Hongwu Di) of the Ming Dynasty (明朝, Ming Chao), the Wenshan region was divided among:

• Guangnan Prefecture (广南府, Guangnan Fu)

• Linan Prefecture (临安府, Linan Fu)

• Guangxi Prefecture (广西府, Guangxi Fu)

Local hereditary chieftains such as the Nong Clan Tusi (侬氏土司, Nongshi Tusi) in Guangnan governed large areas. At the same time, the Ming government introduced military farming colonies (卫所屯田, Weisuo Tuntian), bringing Han migrants who accelerated agricultural and cultural development.

Gradually, the Ming court implemented the Gaitu Guiliu reforms (改土归流, Gaitu Guiliu)—replacing hereditary chieftains with centrally appointed officials.

Qing Dynasty: Establishment of Kaihua Prefecture

A major administrative transformation occurred during the Qing Dynasty (清朝, Qing Chao).

• 1666: Kaihua Prefecture (开化府, Kaihua Fu) was established, with its seat in present-day Wenshan City (文山市, Wenshan Shi).

• 1669: Weimo Prefecture (维摩州, Weimo Zhou) was abolished and incorporated into Kaihua Prefecture.

• 1730: Wenshan County (文山县, Wenshan Xian) was created as the county attached to the prefectural capital. The name “Wenshan” came from Dongwenshan Mountain (东文山, Dong Wenshan) east of the city.

By the late Qing period, the region was mainly governed by Kaihua Prefecture and Guangnan Prefecture, and the modern administrative framework of the region gradually took shape.

Rise of the Sanqi Industry

The medicinal herb Notoginseng (Sanqi – Sanqi / 三七) began to be cultivated in the region during the Ming Dynasty and flourished in the Qing Dynasty.

Wenshan gradually became the original production center and trading hub of this valuable herb. “Kaihua Sanqi (开化三七, Kaihua Sanqi)” gained nationwide fame and laid the foundation for the region’s modern pharmaceutical industry.

Republic of China Period: Administrative Reform and Revolution

(1912–1949)

Administrative Reorganization

In 1913, Kaihua Prefecture was abolished and replaced by Kaihua County, which in 1914 was renamed Wenshan County to avoid confusion with another county in Zhejiang Province (浙江省, Zhejiang Province).

In 1942, the government established the Second Administrative Inspectorate of Yunnan Province (云南省第二行政督察区, Yunnan Sheng Di Er Xingzheng Duchaqu) with its seat in Wenshan County, governing eight counties:

• Wenshan (文山, Wenshan)

• Yanshan (砚山, Yanshan)

• Xichou (西畴, Xichou)

• Maguan (马关, Maguan)

• Malipo (麻栗坡, Malipo)

• Qiubei (丘北, Qiubei)

• Guangnan (广南, Guangnan)

• Funing (富宁, Funing)

Revolutionary Base Area

The region also became an important revolutionary base along the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi border.

• 1927: The first rural Communist Party branch in Yunnan was established in Wenshan.

• 1929–1930: The Red Seventh Army (红七军, Hong Qi Jun) entered Funing County (富宁县, Funing Xian) and helped establish the revolutionary base area.

• 1949: The Wenshan Democratic Government (文山县民主政府, Wenshan Xian Minzhu Zhengfu) was established.

• January 7, 1950: Wenshan County was officially liberated.

Modern Era: Prefecture and Autonomous Governance

(1950 – Present)

Wenshan Administrative Region

In 1950, the Wenshan Administrative Region (文山专区, Wenshan Zhuanqu) was established with its seat in Wenshan County, governing eight counties in southeastern Yunnan.

Establishment of the Autonomous Prefecture

On April 1, 1958, the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was established with approval from the State Council of China (国务院, Guowuyuan).

In 1965, the name was officially standardized as Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, which remains in use today.

Modern Administrative Structure

In December 2010, Wenshan County was upgraded to Wenshan City (文山市, Wenshan Shi), which continues to serve as the prefectural capital.

Today the prefecture governs eight counties and one county-level city, forming the political and economic center of southeastern Yunnan.

Cultural and Historical Highlights of Wenshan Prefecture

Juting Civilization

Wenshan is the core region of the ancient Juting Kingdom. Important archaeological sites such as the Juting Royal City Ruins (句町王城遗址, Juting Wangcheng Yizhi) in Guangnan County (广南县, Guangnan Xian) and the Nong Clan Tusi Government Office (侬氏土司衙署, Nongshi Tusi Yashu) represent key heritage sites of southwestern ancient civilization.

Sanqi Culture

The region is internationally known for Notoginseng (Sanqi – Sanqi / 三七). With over 500 years of cultivation history, Wenshan Sanqi (文山三七, Wenshan Sanqi) is a National Geographical Indication product and a cornerstone of local agriculture, traditional medicine, and trade.

Revolutionary “Red Culture”

Wenshan played a central role in the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi revolutionary base area and is associated with inspiring historical values such as the Laoshan Spirit (老山精神, Laoshan Jingshen) and Xichou Spirit (西畴精神, Xichou Jingshen).

Rich Ethnic Traditions

The prefecture is home to 11 ethnic groups, including:

• Zhuang (壮族, Zhuangzu)

• Miao (苗族, Miaozu)

• Yi (彝族, Yizu)

• Yao (瑶族, Yaozu)

Colorful cultural traditions include festivals and performances such as:

• Sanyuesan Festival (三月三, Sanyue San)

• Huashan Festival (花山节, Huashan Jie)

• Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞, Tonggu Wu)

• Lusheng Dance (芦笙舞, Lusheng Wu)

Traditional crafts such as Zhuang embroidery (壮族刺绣, Zhuangzu Cixiu) and Miao batik (苗族蜡染, Miaozu Laran) are recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Historic Trade Corridor

Historically, Wenshan lay along the “Yunnan–Guangxi Corridor (滇桂走廊, Dian Gui Zoulang)” and the ancient Jiaozhi Road (交趾古道, Jiaozhi Gudao), an important trade route connecting Yunnan with Guangxi and northern Vietnam. This geographic advantage continues to support cross-border trade and regional cooperation today.