Mengla County History

Etymology of Mengla

The name "Mengla" (勐腊) originates from the Dai language. "Meng" (勐) means "plain" or "region," and "La" (腊) means "tea." Together, they signify "the land where tea is offered." According to local legend, when Sakyamuni (释迦牟尼) toured the area, people offered him plenty of tea, much of which was poured into the nearby river. The river was then named "Nanla River" (南腊河), meaning "Tea Water River," and the town was named "Mengla" (勐腊) after this event.

Early History

During the Western Han Dynasty (西汉, 206 BC–9 AD), Mengla was part of Ailao (哀牢) in the Yizhou Commandery (益州郡). In the Eastern Han Dynasty (东汉, 25–220 AD), it was part of the Jiuliao region (鸠僚) under the Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡).

Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties

• Sui Dynasty (隋朝, 581–618 AD): Mengla was part of the Pu (濮) tribes’ domain.
• Tang Dynasty (南诏): It was governed under the Yisheng Jiedu (银生节度), an administrative military commandery of the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏).
• Song Dynasty (宋朝): The area became part of the Kingdom of Jinglong (景陇王国). In the seventh year of the Chunxi reign (1180 AD), it came under the rule of the Dai chieftain Payazhen (帕雅真).

Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

• Yuan Dynasty (元朝): Mengla was administered by the Cheli Lu General Administration (彻里路军民总管府).
• Ming and Qing Dynasties (明清时期): It was governed under the Cheli Pacification Commission (车里宣慰使司).

Ming Dynasty (明朝)

In the fourth year of the Longqing reign (1570 AD), the Cheli Pacification Commission divided its territories into twelve "Bannas" (版纳, meaning "regions"). The current territory of Mengla County (勐腊县) was divided into:

• Mengla (勐腊) and Mengban (勐伴) as one Banna
• Mengpeng (勐捧), Mengrun (勐润), and Mengman (勐满) as another Banna
• Zhengdong (整董), Yibang (倚邦), and Yiwu (易武) as another Banna

Qing Dynasty (清朝)

In the seventh year of the Yongzheng reign (1729 AD), the Mengla Tuba Zong (土把总, local administrative position) was established.

Modern History

Republic of China Period (1912–1949)

In 1913, Mengla became part of the Fifth District (第五区, Mengla) and the Sixth District (第六区, Yiwu) under the Pusi Border Administration Bureau (普思沿边行政总局).

• In 1927, the Fifth District was renamed Zhenyue County (镇越县), and the Sixth District became Xiangming County (象明县).
• In 1929, Xiangming County was merged into Zhenyue County under Pu'er Circuit (普洱道).

Establishment of the People's Republic of China

On November 6, 1949, Zhenyue County was liberated, and the Zhenyue County People's Government was established under the Ning'er Special District (宁洱专区).

In 1953, Zhenyue County was abolished and reorganized into four autonomous regions:

• Banna Yiwu Autonomous Region (版纳易武瑶族自治区)
• Banna Mengla Autonomous Region (版纳勐腊)
• Banna Mengpeng Autonomous Region (版纳勐捧)
• Yiwu Yao Autonomous Region (易武瑶族自治区), all part of the Xishuangbanna Autonomous Region (西双版纳自治区).

In 1957, the regions were merged into two counties, Yiwu and Mengla. In 1958, they were further consolidated into Yiwu County, and in 1959, the name was changed to Mengla County (勐腊县).

Recent Administrative Changes

• March 22, 2002: The Yunnan Provincial Government approved the abolition of Mengla Township (勐腊乡) and Mengla Town (勐腊镇). A new Mengla Town was established, with the town government located in Manlie Village (曼列村), which had previously served as the seat of the Mengla Township government. The administrative villages of Maocaoshan (毛草山), Taoziqing (桃子箐), and Naxiu (纳秀) were reassigned to the administrative village of Huiluo (会落村) in Mengban Town (勐伴镇).
• September 30, 2004: The Yunnan Provincial Government approved the abolition of the Manla Yi and Yao Ethnic Township (曼腊彝族瑶族乡) and the Mengrun Hani Ethnic Township (勐润哈尼族乡). The areas previously governed by Manla Yi and Yao Ethnic Township were reassigned to Yiwu Township (易武乡), while the areas governed by Mengrun Hani Ethnic Township were reassigned to Mengpeng Town (勐捧镇).

Map of Mengla County

The geographical layout and historical territorial divisions of Mengla County can be explored through detailed maps, which showcase its diverse ethnic regions and administrative boundaries.

Notable Historical Figures and Places

• Payazhen (帕雅真): The Dai chieftain who brought Mengla under Dai rule in the Song Dynasty.
• Cheli Pacification Commission (车里宣慰使司): The administrative body governing Mengla during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
• Nanla River (南腊河): The legendary "Tea Water River" from which Mengla derives its name.

Mengla County’s long history, from its early indigenous settlements to its more recent administrative developments, reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnic landscape.