Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town (九河白族乡) is located in the southwestern part of Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). The town borders Taian Township (太安乡), Shitou Township (石头乡), Shigu Town (石鼓镇), and Longpan Township (龙蟠乡) to the east, west, and north. To the south, it neighbors Jinhua Town (金华镇) in Jianchuan County (剑川县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州). The town covers a total area of 368.10 square kilometers, with a population of 28,627 by the end of 2019.

History

• Yuan and Ming Dynasties: The area was under the administration of Lijiang Road Military and Civilian Governor's Office in Tong’an Prefecture (丽江路军民总管府通安州).

• Qing Dynasty: It was part of the Lijiang Prefecture in Jiuhe Li (丽江府九河里).

• Republic of China: The area was under the jurisdiction of Jiuhe Township (九河乡) in Lijiang County (丽江县).

• Post-1949: In July 1949, it became part of the Lijiang Government Committee’s Jiuhe Division. In 1950, it was assigned to the 7th District of Lijiang County. It became Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Township in the first half of 1988.

Administrative Divisions

As of June 2020, Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town comprises 11 administrative villages:

1. Guan Shang Village (关上村)

2. Zhong He Village (中和村)

3. Long Ying Village (龙应村)

4. Jin Pu Village (金普村)

5. Xiang Ge Village (香格里村)

6. Bei Gao Zhai Village (北高寨村)

7. Jiu He Village (九河村)

8. Jiu An Village (九安村)

9. Dian Tou Village (甸头村)

10. Nan Gao Zhai Village (南高寨村)

11. He Yuan Village (河源村)

Government Seat

The town’s government is located in the Guan Shang Village (关上村), specifically in the Baihanchang Village (白汉场村) village group.

Geography and Climate

Location and Terrain

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town lies in the southwestern part of Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, with a varied landscape that includes mountains, semi-mountainous regions, and flat areas. The region is narrow in the north and wide in the south. The highest point is Laojun Mountain (老君山) at 4,247 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is at 2,090 meters.

Climate

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town experiences a subtropical plateau monsoon climate. It has four distinct seasons:

• Spring: Dry with little rain

• Summer: Hot and rainy

• Autumn: Cool and dry

• Winter: Cold with occasional snowfall

The average annual temperature is 12.2°C, with 4.4°C in January and 18.2°C in July. The town receives an average annual precipitation of 839.1 millimeters.

Hydrology

The town’s primary river is Jiuhe River (九河), which flows through the area from Tiejia Mountain (铁甲山) and passes through Baihanchang (白汉场), Jiuhe (九河), and Diwei Ping (甸尾坪). The river spans 20 kilometers and has a catchment area of 224 square kilometers, with an annual runoff volume of 70 million cubic meters.

Population and Demographics

As of 2019, the town's population was 28,627, with the following breakdown:

• Bai Ethnic Group: 52%

• Naxi Ethnic Group: 38.8%

• Pumi Ethnic Group: 4%

The town has a population density of approximately 75 people per square kilometer.

Economy

Overview

The total fiscal revenue for Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town in 2011 was 10.925 million yuan, a 19.9% increase from the previous year. In 2019, the town had 13 industrial enterprises and 13 retail stores or supermarkets with a floor area of more than 50 square meters.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town’s economy. In 2011, the total agricultural production value was 98.608 million yuan, with 65 million yuan coming from livestock farming. Key agricultural products include:

• Cereal crops: Corn, rice, broad beans, and wheat

• Economic crops: Tobacco, potatoes, oilseed rape, and white kidney beans

• Livestock: Pigs, cattle, sheep, and poultry

Commercial Development

By the end of 2011, Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town had 6 local markets and 126 commercial outlets, with a total retail sales of 23 million yuan. The town's economy also benefited from the telecommunications industry, with an annual revenue of 6.4 million yuan.

Social Services

Education

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town prioritizes education, with an educational budget of 13.5 million yuan in 2011. The town has:

• 2 kindergartens with 206 children

• 11 primary schools with 1,568 students

The enrollment rates for primary school-age children and the coverage of nine-year compulsory education are both 100%.

Healthcare

The town’s healthcare system consists of 13 medical institutions, including 1 township health center, 1 branch health center, and 11 village health clinics. There are 43 professional medical staff working in these institutions. The new rural cooperative medical system enrollment rate was 97.6% in 2011.

Sports

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town promotes sports activities with 29 basketball courts. By 2011, 11.3% of the town's population regularly participated in physical activities.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Transportation

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town has 32.3 kilometers of the National Highway 214 passing through it, as well as 6 township roads totaling 51.7 kilometers. The town boasts a 100% rural road accessibility rate, facilitating both passenger and freight transport. In 2011, the transport statistics were as follows:

• Passenger transport: 150,000 people

• Freight transport: 850,000 tons

Social Security

In 2011, the town had 62 urban households benefiting from the minimum living allowance, as well as 610 rural households with a total of 1,520 individuals receiving minimum living support. Additionally, there were 176 individuals receiving assistance through the Five Guarantees Program (五保分散供养).

History and Culture

Name Origin

The name Jiuhe (九河) is said to originate from the migration of nine ancestors of the He family, who settled in the area and whose name was transliterated as Jiuhe.

Cultural Heritage

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town is rich in cultural traditions. The Bai people in this region celebrate:

• Spring Festival (年节): The most important festival for the Bai people

• Torch Festival (火把节): A vibrant celebration, particularly for the Bai community

• Dragon Boat Festival (端午节): Known for its boat races and communal activities

Local customs also include Bai-style weddings, where individuals are free to choose their life partners, as well as traditional funeral rites that often involve earth burials.

Scenic Attractions

Jiuhe Bai Ethnic Town is home to several notable attractions, including:

• Laojun Mountain (老君山): A majestic peak offering breathtaking views

• Baihanchang Village (白汉场村): Known for its picturesque landscapes and agricultural terraces

This region offers an authentic experience for those interested in the Bai culture and natural beauty of Yunnan Province.