History of Tacheng Town in Weixi County, Diqing

Ancient Period

• New Stone Age: Evidence of human activity in the Tacheng area dates back to the Neolithic Age. In 1958, a site with Neolithic artifacts was discovered in Gudeng Village, just 4 kilometers from Tacheng Village. The site yielded 33 stone tools, 50 pottery pieces, 2 bone tools, and 5 mammal remains, indicating a lifestyle primarily based on agriculture with supplementary hunting.
• Tang Dynasty: During the Tang Dynasty, the area was under the jurisdiction of the Tubo Empire. In 680 AD, the Tubo established the Shenchuan Duhu Fu (Shenchuan Commandery) on the banks of the Jinsha River, with its administrative center located in the present-day Qizong Village of Tacheng Town. The term “Tacheng” is derived from the Tibetan word “Lapu,” meaning “divine river valley,” reflecting the region’s significance to the Tubo.

Ming and Qing Dynasties

• Ming Dynasty: In 1468, the area was incorporated into the jurisdiction of the Mu family, the local governors of Lijiang. The Mu family managed the region until the Qing Dynasty.
• Qing Dynasty: In 1672, Wu Sangui, a Ming Dynasty general who later rebelled against the Qing, ceded the area to the Mongolian and Tibetan regions to gain their support. However, in 1726, the region was reincorporated into Yunnan Province as part of the administrative reorganization between Yunnan and Sichuan. In 1727, Weixi Office was established, and Tacheng became one of the five major regions of Weixi.

Republican Period

• Early 20th Century: In 1913, Weixi was reorganized into a county, and Tacheng became one of the eight districts, known as Qila District. In 1929, the district system was abolished, and Tacheng was renamed the Fourth District, overseeing six townships. By 1936, Tacheng was reorganized into Zongpu Township, managing eight neighborhoods and seventy villages.

People’s Republic of China

• Post-1949: After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Tacheng underwent several administrative changes. In 1950, the region was reorganized into six districts, with Tacheng becoming the Fifth District. In 1958, during the Great Leap Forward, the Fifth District was transformed into the Lapu People’s Commune. The commune system was abolished in 1962, and Tacheng reverted to a district. In 1984, the commune system was reformed, and Tacheng was established as a township. In 2002, Tacheng Township was upgraded to Tacheng Town.

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

• Multilingualism: Tacheng is home to the Malimasa people, a subgroup of the Naxi ethnic group, known for their linguistic abilities. They can speak at least five languages: Mandarin, Tibetan, Naxi, Lisu, and their unique Malimasa language. Some individuals can also speak Bai and Yi languages. This linguistic diversity is a result of the region’s multi-ethnic composition and has become a cultural asset for local tourism.

Modern Developments

• Cultural Preservation: In recent years, Tacheng has focused on preserving its cultural heritage. Plans are underway to build a Malimasa exhibition hall to display the community’s culture and history and host performances to share their stories. This initiative aims to promote cultural understanding and tourism in the region.