Babu Town in Malipo County, Wenshan
Chinese Name: 麻栗坡县八布乡
English Name: Babu Town in Malipo County, Wenshan
Overview:
Babu Town is located in the eastern part of Malipo County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It borders Yangwan Town and Vietnam’s An Minh County to the east and southeast, Xiakingchang Town to the southwest, Pingzhai Town in Xichou County to the west, and Liuhe Town to the north. The town government is 53 km from Malipo County. It covers an area of 176 square kilometers and had a registered population of 23,066 as of the end of 2019.
Administrative Division: As of June 2020, Babu Town consists of 1 community and 8 administrative villages:
- Community: Bagong Community
- Villages: Babu Village, Huangtian Village, Nading Village, Longlong Village, Yangpizhai Village, Dongyou Village, Jiangdong Village, and Heping Village.
Geography:
- Elevation: The terrain is high in the west and lower in the east, characterized by mountainous and valley regions. Key mountains include Tulao Village’s back mountain, Miao Miao Mountain, Long Gunkou Mountain, Nalong’s back mountain, Daban Mountain, Baiyanzi, and Tiger Slope. The highest point is 1,591 meters above sea level, while the lowest is 480 meters, with a relative elevation difference of 111 meters.
Climate:
- Average Temperature: 21°C annually.
- January: Average 12°C, extreme low 7°C (January 25, 2008).
- July: Average 28°C, extreme high 43°C (June 28, 2013).
- Annual Temperature Range: 5°C.
- Daily Temperature Range: Up to 16°C.
- Rainfall: Average 1,313 mm annually, with 83 rainy days on average. Rainfall is concentrated from June to August, with July being the wettest month.
Hydrology:
- Major rivers include Babu River, Nanqing River, Namma River, Dongyou River, and Jiangdong River. The rivers vary in length and width, with Babu River being the longest at 22.5 km.
Natural Resources:
- Minerals: Includes manganese and iron ore. Manganese reserves are 2.5 million tons, with the Nading mine having an area of 5 square km and an annual output of 150,000 tons.
Historical and Cultural Aspects:
- Name Origin: Named “Babu” due to its narrow streets where one could cross the river in eight steps. The name was derived from the local term “Babu.”
- Festivals: Includes Huashan Festival, Red Rice Festival, and Flower Street Festival. The Miao people celebrate the Flower Mountain Festival with singing and dancing. The Zhuang people observe traditional festivals such as the “Wind and Flow Street” and “Flower Rice Festival,” as well as “Longduan,” a 700-year-old festival commemorating the Zhuang hero Nong Zhigao.
