Brief Introduction To Yunnan Province

    Yunnan Province, on the southern border of southwest China, has an area exceeding 394,000 square kilometers and a population of 38.85 million (1993), among whom are the minority ethnic groups including the Yis, Bais, Hanis, Zhuangs, Dais, Miaos, Lisus, Huis, Lahus, Vas, Naxis, Yaos, Tibetans, Jingpos, Blangs, Achangs, Nus, Primis, Jinos, De'angs, Mongolians and Derungs.

    Yunnan has more than 70 types of mineral resources including phosphorus, lead, zinc, tin, copper, etc. Gejiu is China's leading tin producer, known as the "tin capital" with a long  tin-mining history.

   Yunnan is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese Nation. The Yuanmou man lived there 1.7 million years ago. During the bronze age people in Yunnan were able to produce bronze drums.

    In the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.), Shuang Qiao, a general of the State of Chu in central China, led an army into Yunnan and brought advanced culture and techniques to the region.

 

Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai People

   Emperors of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) set up a local prefecture and appointed local officials.

    A slavery society known as the State of Nanzhao arose during the Tang Dynasty (518-907), and a feudal regime named Dali was established in the following Song Dynasty (960-1279).

   From the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) through the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911), Yunnan was under the direct control of the central government, and the cultural and economic exchanges between Yunnan and other parts of the country were more frequent than before.

    Location: on the southern border of southwest China 

    Area: 394,000 sq km 

    Climate: The climate in Yunnan is characterized by distinctive features which include:(a) marked regional differences and vertical changes;(b) slight variation in annual temperature changes in contrast to dramatic temperature changes during the day and night(c) there is plenty of rainfall, but the distribution is not equal; and (d) there is a sharp difference between the dry and the wet seasons.

    Provincial capital: Kunming

Three Pagodas, Dali

    Population: 42.88 millions (March 2001)

    Ethnic groups: Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai, Miao, Lisu, Hui, Lahu, Va, Naxi, Yao, Tibetan, Jingpos, Blang, Achang, Nu, Primi, Jino, De'ang, Mongolian and Derung.

    Agriculture: Yunnan's major crops are rice, maize, wheat, tuber crops, peas and beans, rape seed, peanuts, tobacco, tea, cotton, sugar-cane, and fruits.