Manan Miao and Yi Ethnic Town in Yongshan County, Zhaotong

The Land of Reed-Pipe Dance and Cloud Seas

✨ Highlights at a Glance

• Highland Cloud Seas & Vast Grasslands: At over 2,700 meters above sea level, Manan Township (马楠苗族彝族乡) is enveloped in clouds year-round. Its tens of thousands of acres of natural grasslands make it ideal for photography and experiencing traditional herding life.

• Rich Ethnic Culture: Known as the “Epic Land of Reed-Pipe Dance” and “Home of Batik & Embroidery,” it hosts the grand Miao Flower Mountain Festival (苗族花山节) and Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节), with music, dance, and festive rituals.

• Specialty Products & Economy: A national base for semi-fine wool sheep breeding, with agricultural products like Gastrodia (天麻) and chestnuts (板栗), supporting a strong livestock economy.

? Location & Natural Environment

Manan Miao & Yi Ethnic Township (马楠苗族彝族乡) is situated in central Yongshan County (永善县), Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It borders:

• Gaoqiao Township (高桥乡), Daguan County (大关县) to the east

• Shuizhu Township (水竹乡) to the south

• Huanghua Town (黄华镇) to the west

• Xiluodu Town (溪洛渡镇) and Tuanjie Township (团结乡) to the north

Area: ~209.71 km²
Topography: Located along the Wulianfeng Mountains (五莲峰山脉), central areas are high, sloping to east and west. Highest peak Daban Village (大板厂) reaches 3,020 m; the lowest point in Xinglong Village (兴隆村) is 960 m.
Climate: Highland monsoon climate, annual average temperature 13.7℃, annual rainfall 885.9 mm, cloud cover creates spectacular cloud sea scenery from May to September.

?‍?‍? Population & History

• Population: ~17,000 (2019), with 34.64% ethnic minorities, mainly Miao (苗族) and Yi (彝族).

• History: Named “Manan” (马楠) from “Malan” in 1876, due to a horse post set up by a settler. Established as a Miao & Yi ethnic township in 1988.

• Ethnic Culture: Home to major festivals and intangible cultural heritage such as reed-pipe dance (芦笙歌舞), batik & embroidery (蜡染刺绣), Yi Sun Calendar (十月太阳历), and Bimo rituals (毕摩文化).

? Education & Cultural Preservation

Manan Township (马楠苗族彝族乡) operates a nine-year compulsory school, offering 22 classes for 1,114 students.
Ethnic courses include: reed-pipe dance (芦笙), embroidery (刺绣), batik (蜡染), hulusi (葫芦丝), music, and traditional dance (达体舞), promoting local culture among youth.

? Specialty Resources & Products

• Grasslands: 180,000 acres of natural grasslands, ideal for grazing and leisure.

• Livestock: Semi-fine wool sheep (半细毛羊) farming is a key economic driver; cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses are raised.

• Agriculture & Forestry: Corn, potatoes, buckwheat, Gastrodia (天麻), chestnuts (板栗), and walnuts.

? Festivals & Cultural Tourism

• Miao Flower Mountain Festival (苗族花山节): Lunar May 5, with reed-pipe performances, dancing, singing contests, archery, and ceremonial drinking rituals (“goat horn wine” & Yi “three-step wine”).

• Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节): Lunar June 24, featuring bonfires, wrestling, dance, and communal celebration.

• Natural Scenery:

  • Manan Cloud Sea (马楠云海): Waves of clouds in valleys, creating otherworldly vistas.

  • Vast Grasslands: Endless greenery with herds of cattle and sheep.

  • Winter Snow Scenes: Stunning snowy landscapes in Zhongzhai (中寨), Changhai (长海), and Baiyun (白云).

? Transportation

• Township government located in Xinglong Community (兴隆社区), ~61.4 km from Yongshan County (永善县) town center.

• Accessible via Zhaoyong Highway (昭永公路), Tongxian You Road (通县油路), Shuihuang Line (水黄线), with total road length ~109 km.

• Winter and spring snow may affect road conditions; high-clearance vehicles recommended.

Manan Miao & Yi Ethnic Township (马楠苗族彝族乡) offers:

• Breathtaking Highland Landscapes: Grasslands, cloud seas, snow-capped mountains.

• Immersive Ethnic Culture: Festivals, music, dance, embroidery, and batik.

• Authentic Local Experiences: Herding life, traditional food, and vibrant community celebrations.

?️ Discover Manan Township (马楠苗族彝族乡), where cloud seas meet reed-pipe dance—an unforgettable highland cultural journey!