History of Zhaotong City

Zhaotong (古称朱提、乌蒙), located in northeastern Yunnan (云南) at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou (贵州), and Sichuan (四川) provinces, has long been known as the “Northern Gateway of Yunnan (云南北大门)”, “Throat of Western Shu (咽喉西蜀)”, and “Key to Southern Yunnan (锁钥南滇)”. It is one of Yunnan’s three major cultural birthplaces (云南文化三大发源地之一), the core region of Zhutian culture (朱提文化), and an important site during the Chinese Red Army’s Long March (红军长征).

Zhaotong’s historical trajectory can be summarized as: prehistoric settlers → Qin–Han Zhutian counties → Shu Han Zhutian Commandery → Jin Dynasty Cuan territory → Tang–Song Wumeng Jimi rule → Yuan–Ming–Qing Wumeng Prefecture → Qing central governance as Zhaotong → Republic of China Zhaotong Special Region → People’s Republic of China prefecture-level Zhaotong City, representing a typical region where Central Plains culture entered Yunnan, multi-ethnic integration occurred, and mining and revolutionary heritage coexist.

Prehistoric to Qin–Han: Ancient Civilization and Early Zhutian (远古 — 220 AD)

1. Prehistoric to Pre-Qin: Human Origins and Early Roads

• Paleolithic Era: Fossils from Guoshan Cave (过山洞, north of Zhaotong City), including a 50,000-year-old tooth named “Zhaotong Man (昭通人)”, fill gaps in Yunnan’s human evolution from apes to modern humans.

• Neolithic Era: Sites at Yeshishan, Ludian (鲁甸野石山) and Xiaotianba, Qiaojia (巧家小田坝) show Di-Qiang (氐羌) and Bai-Pu (百濮) settlements; rice cultivation, pottery-making, and fishing/hunting thrived, forming tribal alliances.

• Warring States to Qin: Part of Shu Commandery (蜀郡). Li Bing (李冰) carved the Bo Road (僰道); Emperor Qin Shi Huang extended it into the Five-Foot Road (五尺道, core section in Zhaotong), connecting Shu with central Yunnan. Zhaotong became the first entry point of Central Plains culture into Yunnan.

2. Qin–Han: Zhutian Counties and Zhutian Silver Rise

• 135 BC (Western Han, Jianyuan 6): Emperor Wu of Han established Jianwei Prefecture (犍为郡), creating counties Zhutian (朱提, now Zhaoyang District 昭阳区 and Ludian 鲁甸), Tanglang (堂琅, now Qiaojia 巧家 and Huize 会泽), Nanguang (南广, now Zhenxiong 镇雄 and Weixin 威信). Zhaotong officially entered the Central Plains administrative system.

• 109 BC (Western Han, Yuanfeng 2): Part of Yizhou Prefecture (益州郡). Zhutian Silver (朱提银) from Zhutian Mountain (朱提山, now Ludian 鲁甸) reached nationwide renown, becoming the national silver standard, boosting mining and metallurgy.

• Eastern Han: Constructed Southern Yi Roads (南夷道); Five-Foot Road commerce thrived, with Central Plains iron and silk entering Yunnan and local copper, silver, and horses moving into Shu. Early Zhutian culture began to form.

Three Kingdoms to Early Tang: Zhutian Commandery and Cuan Influence (220—748 AD)

1. Shu Han Era: Zhutian Commandery and Northern Shu Hub

• 225 AD (Shu Han, Jianxing 3): Zhuge Liang’s southern expedition established Zhutian Commandery (朱提郡, seat at Zhutian 朱提县) under Bingjiang Governor (庲降都督). Zhaotong became the political, military, and economic center of northern Southern Shu (南中北部).

• Shu Han implemented military garrisons and agriculture; Han, Yi, and Miao (苗族) cultures integrated deeply.

2. Jin Dynasties and Southern & Northern Dynasties: Ningzhou and Cuan Territory

• 270 AD (Western Jin, Taishi 6): Ningzhou (宁州) established as one of 19 directly administered provinces; Zhutian Commandery under Ningzhou, enhancing central governance.

• Eastern Jin to Southern Dynasties: Under Cuan clan (爨氏) influence, Zhutian served as northern Cuan stronghold; Zhutian Silver continued mining, shaping a Han–Yi blended culture.

3. Sui–Tang Dynasties: Wumeng Name and Jimi Governance

• Early Sui: Zhaotong divided among Gongzhou (恭州), Xiezhou (协州), and Quzhou (曲州).

• Early Tang: Gongzhou renamed Quzhou, under Jimi (羁縻) rule; mid-Tang, Wu Man (乌蛮, Yi tribes) rose, and Zhaotong became known as Wumeng (乌蒙) under Nanzhao Tuodong Jiedu (南诏拓东节度). The name Wumeng persisted nearly a millennium.

Song–Yuan: Wumeng Road and Tusi System (937—1368 AD)

1. Dali Kingdom: Wumeng Division and Thirty-Seven Tribes

• Zhaotong part of Wumeng Division, one of the 37 tribes (三十七部) under Eastern Cuan Yi (东爨乌蛮).

• Wumeng Tusi (乌蒙土司) administered region hereditarily, maintaining Jimi relations with Dali Kingdom; multi-ethnic settlement stabilized.

2. Yuan Dynasty: Wumeng Road and Mixed Governance

• 1253 (Yuan, Xianzong 3): Kublai Khan annexed Dali; Wumeng under Yuan rule.

• 1276 (Yuan, Zhiyuan 13): Wumeng Road Prefecture (乌蒙路总管府, seat now Zhaoyang District 昭阳区) established under Yunnan Province; “Wumeng” became an official administrative name.

• Tusi system implemented: Yi leaders as hereditary rulers, supplemented with appointed officials, creating “mixed governance (土流并治)”, enhancing central control.

• Zhaotong became a transport and trade hub connecting Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.

Ming–Qing: Wumeng Prefecture and Land Reform (1368—1911 AD)

1. Ming Dynasty: Wumeng Military-Civil Prefecture and Tusi Rule

• 1382 (Ming, Hongwu 15): Wumeng Road converted to Wumeng Military-Civil Prefecture (乌蒙军民府) under Yunnan Provincial Administration.

• Tusi rule continued, sometimes rebellious. Mining flourished: Zhutian Silver (朱提银) and Qiaojia Copper (巧家铜), initiating “Dian copper Beijing transport (滇铜京运)”, making Zhaotong a northeastern Yunnan mining center.

2. Qing Dynasty: Land Reform and Zhaotong Naming

• Early Qing: Maintained Ming system; Tusi power strong, frequent rebellions.

• 1726 (Yongzheng 4): Governor Ortai (鄂尔泰) implemented Gaitu Guiliu (改土归流), suppressing Tusi rebellions.

• 1731 (Yongzheng 9): Renamed Wumeng Prefecture to Zhaotong Prefecture (昭通府), meaning “Zhao Ming Xuantong (昭明宣通)”; new city built (Zhaoyang District 昭阳区) under direct central governance.

• Mid-Late Qing: Zhaotong Prefecture expanded, copper transport to Beijing peaked, trade thrived, Han culture fully integrated.

Republic of China Era: Special Region and Red Heritage (1912—1949 AD)

1. Administrative Reform

• 1913: Zhaotong Prefecture abolished, became Zhaotong County (昭通县) under central Yunnan administration.

• 1929–1942: Under Yunnan provincial direct rule; Zhaotong Special Region (昭通专区) established, covering modern Zhaotong.

• Produced 85 generals, including Long Yun (龙云), Lu Han (卢汉), and An Enpu (安恩溥), shaping Yunnan’s military and political scene.

2. Red History

• February 1935: Zaxi Meeting (扎西会议) held in Weixin County (威信县), addressing organizational and military issues post-Zunyi Meeting, establishing Mao Zedong’s military leadership.

• Feb–Mar 1936: Wumeng Mountain Guerrilla Campaign (乌蒙山回旋战) by Red 2nd and 6th Corps in Zhenxiong (镇雄), Yiliang (彝良), and Weixin (威信) secured Long March success.

• Dec 1949: Zhaotong peacefully liberated; March 1950: PRC Zhaotong Special Administrative Inspectorate established.

People’s Republic of China: Prefecture, Region, and Prefecture-Level City (1950—2026)

1. Administrative Adjustments

• 1950–1970: Zhaotong Special Region included Zhaotong, Ludian (鲁甸), Qiaojia (巧家), Yanjin (盐津), Daguan (大关), Yongshan (永善), Suijiang (绥江), Zhenxiong (镇雄), Yiliang (彝良), Weixin (威信).

• 1970: Renamed Zhaotong Region (昭通地区).

• 1981: County-level Zhaotong City established under region.

• 2001: Prefecture-level Zhaotong City formed: Zhaoyang District (昭阳区) + 10 counties.

• 2022: Zhenxiong County upgraded to county-level city; current structure: 1 district, 1 city, 9 counties.

2. Contemporary Development

• Zhaotong today: Northern gateway of Yunnan, northeastern regional center, homeland of Zhutian culture, red tourism destination, with industries in green energy, green silicon-aluminum, highland agriculture, cultural tourism, and wellness.

• Key tourist sites: Zaxi Meeting Site (扎西会议旧址), Wumeng Mountain Guerrilla Campaign Sites (乌蒙山回旋战遗址), Ancient Zhutian City (朱提故城), Qingguan Pavilion (清官亭), Huanglian River Waterfall (黄连河瀑布), Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane Nature Reserve (大山包黑颈鹤自然保护区).

Historical & Cultural Highlights

Zhutian Culture (朱提文化)

• Core region from Qin–Han to Ming–Qing, integrating Central Plains and Southwest ethnic cultures. Zhutian Silver (朱提银) set the national currency standard; mining culture thrived.

Ancient Road Hub

• Intersection of Five-Foot Road (五尺道), Southern Yi Road (南夷道), and Southern Silk Road (南方丝绸之路); first route for Central Plains culture into Yunnan.

Land Reform Model

• 1731 (Yongzheng 9): Wumeng renamed Zhaotong; Tusi system abolished, central officials established governance; landmark for southwestern frontier integration.

Red Culture

• Sites of Zaxi Meeting (扎西会议) and Wumeng Mountain Guerrilla Campaign (乌蒙山回旋战); key Red Army Long March nodes; nationally recognized red tourism destinations.

Multi-Ethnic Integration

• 23 ethnic groups including Han, Yi, Miao, Hui, Zhuang. Festivals: Yi Torch Festival (火把节), Miao Huashan Festival (花山节), Hui Eid Festival (开斋节).

Zhaotong’s history is an epic of Central Plains entry into Yunnan, frontier development, multi-ethnic fusion, mining prosperity, and revolutionary heritage, reflecting Yunnan’s evolution from Tusi indirect rule to central governance, from traditional society to modern urban development.