Xueshan Town of Fengqing County in Lincang City

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) is located in the southern part of Fengqing County (凤庆县), Lincang City (临沧市), Yunnan Province (云南省). The town is 90 kilometers away from the county seat and 32 kilometers from Yunxian County (云县). It is situated at a latitude of 24°16′ to 24°17′ North and a longitude of 99°51′ to 100°01′ East. The town is named after the Snow Mountain (雪山) within its borders.

• Administrative category: Town

• Area code: 0883

• Area: 230.03 km²

• Climate: Average annual temperature of 16.8–17.2°C and an average annual rainfall of 1300 mm. The frost-free period lasts 312 days.

• Population: 28,651 people (as of 2006), with a population density of 125 people per square kilometer.

Location

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) is bordered by Aihua Town (爱华镇) of Yunxian County (云县) to the east, Xingfu Town (幸福镇) to the south, Guodazhai Township (郭大寨乡) and Sanchahe Township (三岔河乡) to the west, and connects to Sancha River (三岔河) and Luodang Town (洛党乡) to the north. The terrain is characterized by a high northwest and a low southeast, with the Shundian River (顺甸河) flowing across the eastern part of the town.

The highest point in the town reaches an altitude of 3098 meters, while the lowest point is at 1200 meters. The town covers an area of 230.03 square kilometers.

Historical Development

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) was originally part of Fengwu Township (凤梧乡) in 1949 and later became part of various other administrative units, including the Fifth District (第五区), Fengshan Satellite Commune (凤山乡卫星公社), Lima Commune (立马公社), and Snow Mountain Commune (雪山区). In 1988, it became Snow Mountain Township (雪山乡) and was officially renamed Xueshan Town (雪山镇) in 2002.

Resources and Environment

Xueshan (雪山) is located in a mountainous region with diverse ecological environments due to vertical differences in terrain, topography, temperature, and soil. The government office is located at Bridge Street (大桥街) near Nanrongtian Dam (南荣田坝), which is a 32-kilometer drive from Yunxian County (云县). This area has a hot climate, making it suitable for the cultivation of tropical fruits. The semi-mountainous areas are rich in resources, providing opportunities for the development of animal husbandry. In addition, the town has abundant natural resources, including papaya , pepper , and walnut trees , with forests abundant in flora and fauna.

The Shundian River (顺甸河) Basin is 17 kilometers long, and the town benefits from ample water resources, including the Liangchahe Reservoir (两岔河水库) and the Nanhe First-Class Power Station (南河一级电站), which is under construction.

Rural Economy

The economy of Xueshan Town (雪山镇) mainly revolves around agriculture, with a focus on food crops like rice , maize , wheat , and legumes . Key cash crops include tea , walnuts , sugarcane , and fruits . The town is well-known for its walnut  production, particularly pickled walnuts , which are grown over an area of 81,590 mu. The walnut industry has a long history in the region, and it has become a key contributor to the local economy. In 2007, the total income from rural economy amounted to 65.92 million yuan, with an average grain output of 1022 kilograms.

The town government aims to increase farmers' incomes by expanding key industries such as walnut production , tea , and animal husbandry , while promoting infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.

Characteristic Industries: Hometown of Walnuts

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) is famously known as the "Hometown of Pickled Walnuts" in China. The region has over 81,590 mu of pickled walnuts , with iron walnuts  accounting for 18,580 mu. The variety of walnut grown in the town, primarily the Yunnan Dapao walnut (云南大泡核桃), is characterized by its large tree size, long lifespan, and abundant fruit production. The walnuts are known for their thin shells , white kernels, and delicious taste , which has earned them recognition both domestically and internationally.

There are also ancient walnut groves  in the region, some of which are over 500 years old. In total, more than 6,400 farmers  in Xueshan Town (雪山镇) grow walnuts. The walnut industry has significantly contributed to the local economy, with many households earning over 10,000 yuan annually from walnut production.

Infrastructure

The town has made significant progress in improving its infrastructure, including water conservancy projects such as the construction of Xinping Reservoir (新平水库), Hushan Reservoir (虎山水库), and Yejiangtang Reservoir (野姜塘水库). These reservoirs help provide water for both agricultural and daily use. The town has also invested in the construction of roads, with the opening of new highways and the expansion of existing roads. As a result, transportation has become more accessible.

Communication infrastructure has also improved, with cable television (有线电视) now available in six villages and full network coverage across the town. The development of the Yunxue Highway (云雪公路) has helped make Xueshan Town (雪山镇) an important commercial distribution center in southern Fengqing County (凤庆县).

Cultural Education

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) places a strong emphasis on education, with a total of 3989 students  in primary and secondary schools , and 237 teachers . Xueshan Middle School  has 18 classes, serving 1057 students, while the primary schools have 29 schools and 2482 students.

The town has been enhancing its education facilities by implementing modern distance education  systems and improving school infrastructure. In addition, adult vocational education programs have been introduced to support the region's economic and social development.

Health and Population

Xueshan Town (雪山镇) has a central health clinic , with 12 medical staff  and 20 beds . There are also 13 village-level health clinics , which provide medical services to local residents. Over the years, the town has improved its healthcare facilities, and the rate of participation in rural cooperative medical care reached 92% in 2006.

Family planning policies  have also been successful, with over 600 households receiving rewards for having only one child. Social welfare programs , including low-income insurance  and social pensions , have helped support the well-being of local residents.