Tonghai County Overview
Tonghai county, located in middle of Yunnan Province, was a vital communication hub since the ancient time. The government seat lies in Xiushan town. The handicraft industry of Tonghai county was highly developed, and it is one of the counties teemed with flue-cured tobacco. Tonghai county is the principle habitation of Mongolian in Yunnan province, also the county of the highest population density in Yunnan province, reaching 300 person/square kilometer. With long history and unique culture, Tonghai is favorable tourist destination to discover the mark of history, also carry on the Muslim culture from Yuan Dynasty. You will know about Yunnan history in your travel.
1.Basic Information
Chinese Name: 通海县
English Name: Tonghai County
Population: 309,000
Nationalities: Han, Yi, Dai, Hani, Mongolian, Muslim
Area: 721 square kilometers
Zip code: 652700
Area code: 0877
Seat of Government: Xiushan Town
2.History
Soon after the formation of PRC, the area of today's Tonghai County was organized as two counties: Tonghai and Hexi (in the western part of today's Tonghai County). The two counties were merged into Qilu County (杞麓县) on November 22, 1956. On October 22, 1959, Qilu County was renamed Tonghai County.
The county includes a large Muslim (Hui) population. Centers of Hui culture include Dahui and Xiaohui villages in Hexi Township, as well as Nagu Town, with its Najiaying Mosque.
Xingmeng Mongol Ethnic Township, home to the Yunnan Mongols (Khatso), is the only Mongol ethnic township in Yunnan. Their history can trace back to Kublai Khan period in Yuan Dynasty.
3.Climate
Tonghai county enjoys the plateau moonsoon climate of subtropical zone. The climate of Tonghai is warm and temperate, with great deal of rainfall, even in the driest month. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Cfa. The average annual temperature is 17.3 °C in Tonghai. In a year, the average rainfall is 997 mm. The region enjoys 276 frost-free days.
4.Geography
Tonghai county(通海县) lies in the Middle Yunnan province, the plain besides the Qilu Lake. It borders Huaning county, Eshan county, Jianshui county, Jiangchuan county and Hongta district in different directions. The county stretches 39km from east to west and 36km from south to north with its’ total area of 721 square kilometers. The county seat is 125 km away from Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province and 47km away from Hongta district, the headquarter of Yuxi prefecture.
Tonghai County occupies the fertile valley of Qilu Lake, surrounded on all sides by mountains. The county seat is located on the south side of the lake, separated from the lake by a mile-wide strip of farmland.
The county' southernmost part, including the Dagao Dai and Yi Ethnic Township and Lishan Yi Ethnic Township, is separated from the rest of the county by mountains; it is outside of the Qilu Lake basin, and is drained into the Qu Riverinstead.
5.Transportation
Tonghai county has a convenient transportation system, the transportation of Tonghai county mainly rely on highway, the total mileage of expressways and roads had reached 3685km, 8 passenger stations are built, and more than 75 lines are opened for operating. Among those highways, national highway occupies 123km, provincial highway occupies 639 km, county road occupies 780km, and the village road occupies 2108km. The annual transport capacity of passengers and freight reached 0.95 million and 8.1 million respectively. The post and telecom industry took a step forward. You can choose minibus or long-distance bus to go to Hongta District in Yuxi, and buses depart to Kunming everyday.
6.Attractions
Tonghai emphasizes on unique ethnic culture and profound history. At the mention of ethnic culture, Tonghai is the main place of Mongolian people in Yunnan, which can trace back to Yuan Dynasty. Tonghai also enjoys the traditional Muslim culture, and Najiaying Mosque is the greatest mosque in Yunnan. Moreover, the rich culture deposit is another point that makes Tonghai popular. Tonghai offers many cultural and history sites like Sansheng Palace, Tonghai Confucius Temple and Yongjin Temple, carrying on people’s beliefs and thoughts. It is also provides Xiushan Mountain, which is wonderful in south Yunnan.
7.Festivals
Luban Festival of Mongolian Ethnic Minority（蒙古族鲁班节）
Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority (回族古尔邦节 )
Nadam Fair （那达慕大会）
8.Ethnic Culture
Ethnic people of Tonghai reach 37,139, representing 13.99% of the total population of Tonghai. Tonghai county is the principle habitation of Mongolian in Yunnan province, there are also several ethnic groups inhabit in Tonghai county, they are Yi, Dai, Hani and Muslim. The county includes a large Muslim (Hui) population. Centers of Hui culture include Dahui and Xiaohui villages in Hexi Township, as well as Nagu Town, with its Najiaying Mosque. Xingmeng Mongolian Ethnic Township, home to the Yunnan Mongols (Khatso), is the only Mongolian ethnic township in Yunnan. Their history can trace back to Kublai Khan period in Yuan Dynasty.
9.What to Eat in Tonghai County
Sour spicy is the favorite taste of Tonhai people. So dishes here are kind of spicy and sour. Famous dishes here are spicy chicken soup with herbs on Yudai Road, roasted duck on Daying Street, cold rice noodles, ice porridge etc.
10.What to Buy in Tonghai County
Yuxi Tobacco Leaf (玉溪烟叶)
Tonghai Folk Silver Ornaments （通海银饰）
Tonghai Soybean Powder Candy （豆末糖）
Sesame Slices（芝麻片）
